Various trains in Italy require a seat reservation. Eurail Pass holders have to pay an additional fee for these reservations.
Reservation is compulsory for these premium trains: Eurostar AV, Eurostar Italia, Eurostar City. Reservation is optional for InterCity and Express trains. See the list of reservation fees. Overnight trains also require reservation of the sleeping compartments. For regional and local trains reservation is not necessary.
How to make reservations for Italian trains?
There are various ways to make seat reservations.
At the station
Once you're in Italy, you can make reservations at a ticket window at one of ther major stations (like Bari, Bologna, Florence, Genova, Milano, Napels, Pisa, Rome, Turin or Venice). You can also use one of the many 'Self-Service' machines to avoid queues. On these machines, you select the train you want to use and then click on the button 'Global Pass' (see example screenshot). You can pay the reservation fee by cash or credit card.
Booking Centre
It is also possible to make a reservation for a seat or bed through the Deutsche Bahn UK Booking Centre. Not all trains can be booked in advance, this can only be determined on a case-by-case basis. The Deutsche Bahn UK Booking Centre can be contacted by email or phone.
There are 2 options to receive your reservations:
- By home delivery, for a handling fee of around £10.00.
- Collecting your ticket from any counter or ticket machine in Germany. No extra charges apply for this option.
Online
Trains in Italy can be booked in advance Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane.
- You must register before booking any reservations.
- Enter train details.
- (Step 1. journey choice) Select a train from the list (ignore the prices).
- (Step 2. fares and preferences) Go to the ‘More fares’ drop down box and select ‘Global Pass’ (also select this if you have a Select Pass, Regional Pass or Italy One Country Pass).
- You will need to enter a ‘Card Number’ – this means your pass number or your order number (enter this if you haven’t received your pass at the time of making a reservation). Please note: you must enter the last 7 digits of the pass or order number.
- Enter your personal details and then select how you would like your tickets delivered (choose between e-tickets or delivery to an Italian address).
- Then continue through the final steps (Step 3. summary and payment, Step 4. purchase confirmation).
