Originally Posted by
adventureadam
Sorry, sounds like you're SOL.
For future travelers who will read this:
It is absolutely unnecessary and often costly to purchase this type of ticket through RailEurope. RailEurope operates zero trains. They are a ticket reseller (usually for a profit). You can buy tickets directly from the operator.
You can purchase tickets from Trenitalia (one operator) for 43 euros per adult. Those tickets have FREE AND UNLIMITED changes before departure. You can buy these, in English, on their website (
http://www.trenitalia.com) or in person at the station.
You can purchase tickets from Italo (another operator) for 45 euros per adult for FREE AND UNLIMITED changes before departure, or 37 euros per adult for changes that require a supplemental charge. You can buy these, in English, on their website (
www.italtreno.it)
Depending on which stations are convenient to you.
Folks, RailEurope is rarely, if ever, a better deal than working with the travel operator directly, and rarely, if ever, more flexible. American (and other) guide books do travelers a real disservice by recommending them.
I've always avoided RailEurope, but last night found I had little choice.
Due to some changing issues with my flight to France, I wasn't able to nail down my itin until yesterday (for a trip leaving on July 17th). TGV fares for the itin I need are now outrageous, so high that it saved me about $250 using a railpass for the two of us (myself and my 21-year-old son), plus I retain some flexibility in terms of catching a different train upon arrival, losing only the reservation fee ($11 each, not a big deal).
One other tip for those planning rail trips at times when fares are sky-high or unavailable. Try booking from another station further out. A few years back, at the last minute, my wife and I decided to go see the time trial in St Etienne. There were no tickets available from "Paris" whatsoever for the outbound journey. But plenty of tickets, cheap at that, from CDG. So a short trip on the RER to CDG and we were good.