Originally Posted by
richarddd
At the moment, the cheapest tickets for next week's 11:45 are 17.90 euros. When I looked at about 10:30 Italy time yesterday and today, the only tickets available at 11:45 were executive class at 98 euros (which is the base fare). Some other trains around that time were sold out.
It appears that the undiscounted base fare is the only price available for same day purchase, at least for the high speed trains. Economy seems to require at least one day advance purchase
and super economy earlier than that. Regional trains don't increase as much, but take much longer.
I usually buy as far in advance as possible, except for trains on the day of arrival. The problem with the day of arrival is I don't know if a flight will be delayed, so I can't be sure about schedule. For other days, that isn't an issue. For this trip, due to the lack of a 10:45 high speed train, the 11:45 is the clear choice unless we are either early or very late, both of which are unlikely but not impossible.
It really depends on your travel date.
For example, Jan 3rd, the 12:05 Eurocity has super economy 2nd class at 14.90, and super economy 1st class at 19.90. Jan 8th, Frecciarossa 11:45 at 17.90 and 25.90 for standard and premium respectively.
For future reference -
Trenitalia advance sale starts at 90 days before departure. It used did not even show regional trains for advance purchase because the fares did not change. Now it shows and let you buy the regional.
If you look at 90 days ahead, Eurocity and Frecciarossa Super Economy are offered at 14.90 and 17.55 respectively. In fact some schedules show the Premium category cheaper than the Standard.
Fast trains only save one hour at 2 hrs total journey while the Regional is 3 hrs total journey partly because of train change at Verona, and of course more stops.