While prices aren't as high as in the air travel sector, train tickets in Italy aren't exactly cheap, especially for longer trips between regions. Here are five essential tips to get the best deal available.
Although many people still have memories of run-down trains tearing through Italian countryside, train travel in Italy now are very different from what they were in the past.
It's true that some areas of the country are still significantly underserved, but national rail services have increasingly improved over the past two decades.
With almost 1.500 kilometers of high-speed lines across the peninsula, trains are going faster than ever and comfort on board has made great progress in recent years.
However, better service often results in higher fares for passengers. And although train tickets are far from the exorbitant prices recently seen in the air travel industry, they can be quite expensive, sometimes exceeding 100 euros (about R$535).
book in advance
Purchasing tickets at least a month in advance of your travel date will not only give you access to lower fares, but will also allow you to not miss out on special offers as these are usually limited in duration or limited in availability.
Take advantage of the offers, but be aware of their “conditions”
Offers offered by national rail operators Trenitalia e Italo They can range from discounted rates for families or groups of friends to discounts of up to 60 or up to 70% for young people.
However, before proceeding with the purchase, it is always advisable to check the relevant “conditions” of the offers. In fact, although some promotions may seem incredibly advantageous on paper, they can “hide” very unfavorable clauses.
For example, a certain offer may be “non-modifiable and non-refundable”, which means that you will not be able to change the time or date of the trip (even if you pay a penalty) and you will not be refunded if you are unable to take the trip.
These conditions can usually be found on the same website page as the offer and are definitely worth checking in advance.
Use price comparison sites to get the best rate
Comparing prices and promotions from different companies is something you could technically do yourself, but why go through all the trouble if someone can do it for you?
Train fare comparison sites have emerged in recent years, with the Trainline and Omio are generally considered the most reliable in Italy.
Both are intuitive, easy to navigate and available in several different languages, including Portuguese.
Loyalty cards and travel packages
While this tip may not be as valuable for short-stay visitors, it is advisable for residents or those staying longer to get the loyalty card of the company they travel with most frequently.
In addition to getting immediate access to future travel discounts and special member offers, you'll also accumulate loyalty points on your card after each trip, which you can redeem for a free trip after some time.
People who frequently travel between the same destinations can also purchase travel packages of 10 or 20 tickets (known as subscriptions). This can allow savings of up to 50 percent.
However, it's always a good idea to check how long the relevant travel package will be valid for before purchasing it.
Last minute tickets
Life is known for unexpected events, which means that at some point you may find yourself needing to buy a train ticket at the last minute.
In this case, the TrovaunPosto It might be your only chance to get a cheap (or cheaper) last-minute ticket.
O TrovaunPosto (Find a Seat) is an online marketplace where people who cannot make their planned trips sell their tickets at prices that, according to the site's regulations, must be lower than the price at which they originally purchased them.
You might not be lucky, but it's definitely worth a try. (Photo: Depositphotos)
