Tourist Survival Guide
TRANSPORTATION

TRAINS

If you plan to take a Eurostar train, you don't have to stand in just any line-- look for the window with the ES insignia.

Aboard these high-speed trains, standing passengers are not permitted. It is therefore all the more important to reserve seats.
Unfortunately, it is nearly never possible to make reservations at the same window where you buy the tickets (don't ask us!) You've actually got to go to a reservation window and stand in another line to get your seats.

So you see how it works-- high-speed travel requires slowed-down ticket acquisition, standing in two different long lines.

You can of course go through your hotel or an authorized travel agency. The cost is the same and it's infinitely less stressful.

If, however, you're travelling at the last minute and still would like to take the Eurostar, get set for a mad dash: the ticket window will send you to the capotreno, who is the only person to know (who knows why...) if there are still any available seats on the Eurostar or if you'll be forced to await the next train.

In either case, the ticket cashier will generally sell you an Intercity ticket; if the capotreno lets you board the Eurostar, you can pay the difference on the train with no penalties or surcharges.

The Intercity

To purchase an Intercity ticket at the station, you can get in line at any window, except (you knew this was coming...) reservation windows and those for the Eurostar. Just remember that if, for example, you're travelling to Firenze - you should say

"Andata per Firenze con supplemento Intercity" or "One ticket for Florence with the Intercity supplement".

Not doing so could land you with a regular fare ticket and an extra fee when you pay the difference on the train. If you're counting your pennies until the next bank, you could be in trouble.

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Tourist Survival Guide