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kiwiajeossi
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51 comments

Posted 6 years ago

On May 19th, we\'re planning to take the Ferrovia Jonica from Lecce to Reggio di Calabria. As it\'s only 8 days before we fly home, I\'m thinking we might be looking to save every euro we can by then. ???? So, I was wondering if it was possible to save a few extra euros by not pre-booking reservations on either of the two non-Freccia trains in the list.

http://likhaavat.com/only14.jpg

As the screen shot shows, using our Eurail Pass currently saves us 14 Euros, but if we could save more by not having to pay for a reservation, just show our Pass and board, that would be even better.

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Flo
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replied 6 years ago

I\'m a little confused since you selected regular tickets for all three trains (Economy, Ordinaria and Super Economy are all regular tickets and not reservations for Global Pass holders).

No reservation is needed for any regional train (= Regionale or Regionale Veloce) but reservation is recommended on Intercities (I have heard stories of the Ionica Intercities being both crowded or almost empty).
Reservation is of course compulsory on the Frecciarossa (as well as Frecciargento and Frecciabianca).

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kiwiajeossi
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replied 6 years ago

Sorry if the screenshot is a bit confusing, I was trying to give a comparison of the two pricing structures. The left side of the screen shows the full price option, that\'s the one without using the Eurail pass at all, the one with all the regular options selected. The right side of the screen shows the prices with the P{ass option selected where available.

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kiwiajeossi
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replied 6 years ago

Your comment about reservations being advised for the Intercity has clinched it, though,Thank you very much! If we DIDN\'T reserve our seats, we\'d turn up and find the Jonica packed liked sardines. So instead, we WILL reserve our seats, thereby guaranteeing an empty train . ????

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Flo
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10723 comments

replied 6 years ago

Yeah, that\'s usually the way things turn out. :D

Be prepared and nothing happens... ;)

EDIT: Ahh ok I see now I get it. But I wonder how you get to 35,80€ for the Eurail passholder reservations. Did the raise the prices?

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kiwiajeossi
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replied 6 years ago

"Did they raise the prices?"

Here\'s the full pricing for selecting Eurail Pass options where available (Freccia & IC)
likhaavat.com/jonica.jpg

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Flo
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10723 comments

replied 6 years ago

OK, they didnt. ;)

But as explained above you dont need the "Ordinaria" tickets for the Regionale. Apparently the website wants to sell you tickets for all three legs, even if you select "Global Pass" and would only need reservations for the Frecciarossa and IC (optional).

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kiwiajeossi
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replied 6 years ago

So we can just turn up for the Regionale, show our documents and get on? Awesome - that 4.90€ is a coffee each - thank you!

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KimKochRasmussen
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29 comments

replied 6 years ago

It is even more simple:

Show up
Board the train
Relax
If a ticket examinator pass along say hi and show your pass - if not do not borther about how to show documents (but of course fill in the travel report). ☺

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kiwiajeossi
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51 comments

replied 6 years ago

"It is even more simple: ... relax"

Music to my ears, thanks!

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Flo
Traveller
10723 comments

replied 6 years ago

Oh and please...a coffee (= caffè = espresso) should not be more than 1€ at the bar (= al banco). ;)

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kiwiajeossi
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51 comments

replied 6 years ago

"caffè = espresso" doppio ristretto, per favore! :)

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kiwiajeossi
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51 comments

replied 6 years ago

The booking window for the date we want to take the RhB Bernina Panorma Winter opened today, so we booked those tickets using our Eurail Pass. I just want to check two thing about the Regionale from Milan to Tirano:

(a) Because it\'s a Regionale, we can board without having to pay anything - the trenitalia site doesn\'t even offer a discout option for Eurali pass, as show here
http://likhaavat.com/noeurailoption.jpg

(b) This is probably more important - if we don\'t prebook, is there any chance we\'ll turn up and find no available seats, on either outbound or return leg of the trip?

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KimKochRasmussen
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replied 6 years ago

A)
You have already paied a lot of money for a EU railpass - in many countries all trains are included, but in Italy (and other countries) some trains require a supplement. This is in most cases only for high speed or premium trains, all others are included in your pass.
If you most using trains with a supplement and do not need the flexibility of a pass, in many cases ordinary train tickets may turn out to be cheaper. In my opoin the real bennefit of a pass is the flexibility, and yrs sometimes it is also cheaper than ordinary tickets.

B)
Yes of course a train can be all full. If 3 school classes and a large group of scouts all have had the same idea of using excat that train for this day, or there is a big music festival along the trains route.
Something like festivals can be checked beforehand, large groups of scouts without booking are more difficult... ;-)
I do not know this route, mayby others can help - but if there is another train within an hour I would personally not mind just to show up even if I was a part of a large group.
Trains are not that complicated here in Europe.
Enjoy!

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kiwiajeossi
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51 comments

replied 6 years ago

Thanks, KimKochRasmussen. I doubt the trains we want to take will be fully booked, especially the 06:20 to Tirano, but since we have to connect with the RhB departing at 09:41, it\'s the only train that gets us there in time, hence my slight anxiety. As for the value for omney of our pass, we\'ve definitely saved money by buying it already, and the trip on the Bernina Panorama cemented that - 20CHF all up instead of not less than 112CHF

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KimKochRasmussen
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replied 6 years ago

Worst case senario: all seats are taken, and you will have to stand up (or sit in the aisle) for 2,5 hours.
Easy solution: find a student in a seat and offer him/her 10€ sure you will have a seat then.

But it can also be handled in another way: be at the right track 20 min before departure and be sure to be the first person to board the train. Milano is the first station on route so no problem - BUT be prepared to wait at the the track all alone, I bet no other passengers will show up until 10 min before departure, and not even the train and staff may be there so early (20 min) for a morning train

Enjoy your time in Europe

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kiwiajeossi
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51 comments

replied 6 years ago

"But it can also be handled in another way: be at the right track 20 min before departure and be sure to be the first person to board the train. " - this is actually what we decided to do inbetween posting my previous reply and seeing your most recent response

We\'ve booked a cab to pick us up at our accommodation in time to get us to Milano Central by around 06:00-06:05. An excess of caution, perhaps, but we want to do everything we can to ensure we very much DO "enjoy our time in Europe" :D

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Flo
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10723 comments

replied 6 years ago

As already mentioned no need to worry about this train being full, especially if you show up a few minutes before departure at Milano Centrale. At this time of the day trains running into Milano are more likely to be packed with commuters, trains in the opposite direction still could attract some commuters, especially between Milano - Monza - Lecco and maybe daytrippers too on the way to Lago di Como and Tirano but I dont see problems getting a seat.
I once travelled with an early morning train from Tirano to Milano (until Monza) and it was no problem to get a seat. Trains are quite long on this route as well so you can relax. :)

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kiwiajeossi
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51 comments

replied 6 years ago

"At this time of the day trains running into Milano are more likely to be packed with commuters" - thanks, I said something similar to my wife, that I thought it likely we would be going in the opposite direction to most of the train traffic at that time of the morning. Trenitalia\'s site lists this Regionale as having both 1st and 2nd class seating, so I\'m also hoping our 1st class Pass helps increase the odds in our favour :D