Ticket Classes & Fare Rules
The fare rules are as follows:
Make unlimited changes or cancel for a 100% refund up to 30 days before departure. Within 30 days of departure, make 1 change or receive a 100% credit for your booking.
Discounted train tickets for Italy will be in the form of promotional fares that are released throughout the year and based on availability. Travelers who sign up for our newsletter are notified in advance of upcoming promotions so they can book early when there is greater availability.
Eurail passes will have promotional offers, typically during the early Spring and late Fall. Otherwise, pricing is standardized for rail passes and all legitimate vendors must sell passes at the same price.
In terms of different types of passes, there are discounts for youths, children or for groups of 2 or more people traveling together. Look for the Youth Pass option.
Even on days when there are strikes scheduled, Trenitalia has what it calls "guaranteed minimum transport services." In other words, there are some trains that will run every day despite a strike so that an entire country doesn't shut down. It's relatively minimal service, compared to normal schedules, and it focuses on commuter hours: 6 to 9 a.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. from Monday through Saturday.
Tickets for these trains can be reserved in advance just like they can be at any time, but of course with such limited service the seats will get reserved quickly. Planning ahead means you might get one of them.
No ticket changes are allowed with this fare. This fare is 80% refundable up to 72 hours prior to train’s departure.
No booking or ticket changes are allowed with this fare. This offer is only eligible on the normal fare. Type: Non-refundable, Non-changeable.
The fare rules are as follows:
No ticket changes are allowed with this fare. This fare is 50% refundable up to 72 hours prior to train’s departure.
No booking or ticket changes are allowed with this fare. Type: Non-refundable.
Executive is the name of the top class of service on Trenitalia's Frecciarossa high-speed trains. The color scheme on the Executive cars is brown, and there is typically only one Executive car per train.
Each Executive car has only 10 seats, giving passengers a great deal of personal space and making sure everyone has a window seat.
The seats are wide and comfortable, with a leg rest extension and the ability to recline, and chairs can be rotated 180°. This allows passengers to turn and talk to one another if desired, as well as always having the option to face the direction in which the train is traveling. Each seat has a power outlet. Luggage storage is available under the seats, in overhead racks, and at one end of each car.
There's a 5-seat meeting room in one part of the Executive car for travelers who need to get work done with colleagues while in transit.
Executive passengers can relax in the FRECCIAClub while waiting for their train to arrive, and meal options on board include three menus using Italian products.
One of the Business cars on a Frecciarossa train has a designated area in which no external sounds are permitted. That means mobile phones, talking, music, etc. It's typically called "Business Area Silenzio" in Italian, but might also be called a "Silence Area" or "Business Quiet."
Note that while the level of quiet might make for ideal sleeping conditions, that's not the primary intention of the Silenzio section - the seats don't recline any more than they do in the other Business sections of the train.
Business is the second level of service on Trenitalia's Frecciarossa trains, after Executive. The main color on Business cars is blue, and there are typically two Business cars per train.
Seats in Business cars are situated in rows of three, with two on one side of the aisle and one on the other side. Each seat can recline without disturbing other passengers. There are plexiglass panels along the aisle next to the two-seat side for some privacy during conversations, and each seat has a power outlet. Luggage storage is available under the seats, in overhead racks, and at one end of each car.
Part of one of the Business cars houses the Bistro, which is open to passengers from all cars on the train.
One of the Business cars is outfitted for disabled travelers with a spacious bathroom, and wide aisles that allow wheelchairs to visit the Bistro car.
One of the Business cars has what's called a "Silence Area" (Business Silenzio in Italian) for those who want to travel in peace and quiet.
Business travelers receive a "welcome drink" upon boarding on all days except Saturday, which consists of water, a soft drink, or coffee with a snack and choice of newspaper.
Premium is the third level of service on Trenitalia's Frecciarossa trains, after Executive and Business. The primary color is red, and there is typically one Premium car per train.
Seats are set up in rows of four across, with two on either side of the center aisle. Each seat has a power outlet. Luggage storage is available in overhead racks and at one end of each car.
Premium passengers receive a "welcome drink" upon boarding, except for Saturday trips. This includes water, a soft drink, or coffee plus a snack and a choice of newspaper.
Standard is the base level of service on Trenitalia's Frecciarossa (high speed) trains. The color scheme is orange, and there are typically four Standard cars per train.
Seats in a Standard car are arranged in rows of four, with two on either side of a center aisle. It's the same arrangement in Premium cars, and seats are exactly the same size. Each seat has a power outlet. Luggage storage is available in overhead racks, under the seats, and at one end of each car.
Family Discount is a type of fare. In order to find it the family must be traveling with child less than 15 years old, and the rail company must have availability in that fare class.
This fare is 80% refundable up to 24 hours prior to train’s departure. Only one departure date or time change is permitted up until 24 hours prior to train’s departure. Custom Seat selection is not available, Once changed, the fare becomes non-refundable. Changes are subject to a price increase if the new fare is more expensive.
The fare rules are as follows:
Only one reservation change permitted per ticket, by upgrading to a normal fare of the same train type; and only up to two hours before train departure. Any difference in price from original ticket price is payable at the time of change. Custom seat selection is not available when making a change. Type: Non-refundable.
The fare rules are as follows:
No booking or ticket changes are allowed with this fare. Type: Non-refundable.