Problems with Tren Italia site

[Mrs Teapot]

Can any of you helpful folks help me please?

I'm looking at travelling from Naples to Scalea around, say, 9th August or a few days later. There are trains to book, later in the day, but the earlier ones just say NO above the shopping trolley sign. Does that mean the train is fully booked, or that it is not released for sale yet? (as it seems to be the direct train to Scalea)

Also, when trying to book it asks me to put in coach and seat numbers that I want to be nearest. Ummmm, well, how the heck do I know?

Anyone with more brain cells that me, please feel free to help me. You can have nice hot cuppa with a slice of cake (or a lovely cold lager or glass or two of wine).

Mrs Teapot xx

[Mrs Teapot]

Now I'm really having problems with the Trenitalia site since all the return trains state NO under the buy logo. Does that mean they are all fully booked by returning Neopolitans? Or does it mean the tickets are not yet released?

Anyone know? I've already had to change my dates by a few days from the ones given above as the flight prices are increasing.

I dare not book a flight if I can't book a return train.

[melanie1]

From what I have heard is that it is really hard to buy tickets in advance for the train for August.

1. Probably sold out as the people from Naples have probably already booked them.

2. As it is a busy time you might only be able to get them from the station.

Otherwise I would advise calling them, I know people who have taken the train from Naples during August and have had to stand the whole way.

Regards
melanie

[Mrs Teapot]

Melanie,

Thanks very much for replying - I'm really grateful.

Yes, my husband has unpleasant memories of having to stand for hours on a train in August. I've only managed to convince him to be brave and trust me that I can book a seat. Ahem.

I've discovered, with The Man in Seat 61 website (much easier to understand than Trenitalia) that some tickets will have to be purchased via an agency. and that for my return dates I will have to wait 10 days for the tickets to be released as none can be purchased 60 days in advance.

If I cannot book an IC train and have to book a regional train, will I still get a choice of 1st class and will there be air con, or not? Anyone know? August is a tiny bit hot, you know!

I'm going to phone a UK based international rail service and see if I can get some advice.

Any help welcome.

Thanks again.

[melanie1]

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

It is certainly starting to hot up already. After the wet winter we are all in need of some hot weather.

Regards
Melanie

[truffles]

Hi,
it's generally just the IC trains and not the regional trains that you can't buy online. If it says No under the Buy section is not necessarily that it's full it's just that you can't buy online. If you look at italiarail.co.uk you can buy them on there and they post to you at home but the regional trains on the site are unreserved seating. As you say it's only available for 2 months in advance. I joined Trenitalia online membership and they don't post to UK addresses although there is a ticketless solution via e-mail now. Apologies if you know all this, hope it helps.
Jerry

[truffles]

Forgot to add that italiarail include a service charge.
Jerry

[Mrs Teapot]

Truffles,

Thanks very much for that. Funnily enough I've now spoken to Italia rail agents and they said pretty much what you said. Apparently most of Europe cannot book their seat before 60 days either, so I can book them as soon as they are released. The Italiarail site sounds far less complicated and can have the tix sent to me via special delivery. Sounds good to me because apparently if they go missing in the post they are untraceable and nothing can be done to get your money back. Yikes.

Really appreciate everyone's help. Now I don't want to hear any train horror stories after I've booked.

Melanie, I will post when I am successful and thereafter I will be the Anorak Queen of this site. Not sure if I want that title though...