Italian High Speed Trains

[158801]

I'm a little confused with ATOC advice for Italian high speed lines. They state that FIP fares are available - but what about International Coupons ?

I'm hoping to go from Venice to Rome and then from Rome to Turin.

Am I just entitled to a discount using my FIP card or can I use International Coupons and pay a supplement?

Any help gratefully appreciated

 

[Gerald Fiennes]

With either coupons or reduced rate cards, you get 50% off the full fare on Trenitalia high speed and intercity services. In other words, the coupon in Italy isn't that much use: it just gives free travel on local and regional services, which are of 'mixed' quality in my experience.

 

[Max]

Just to confirm, that journey would be possible with regional trains but it would be very slow and you may risk not getting a seat. Regional trains are non-reservable and often get very crowded because, for the ones that traverse longer distances, they are much cheaper and tend to be quite infrequent. It's worth checking how the price with the 50% discount stacks up against Trenitalia's private rival Italo, who often run cheap promotions on tickets.

 

[158801]

Thanks. Never knew Italo existed !

 

[Max]

Thanks. Never knew Italo existed !

It's a relatively new venture, but you can get some genuine bargains! For example, at the moment, if 2 people travel Tues-Thurs from Roma-Milano on non-stop trains the single fare starts at EUR 20 per person.