Discounts in Italy on Air, Rail Passes

Alitalia has come up with a “Europlus” program that offers passengers who buy round-trip transatlantic flights to Italy the chance to purchase one-way tickets for $129 per flight for travel within its route system, which covers Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

If travelers choose to take advantage of this program, a minimum of two coupons must be purchased, with no maximum amount. Reservations for the first additional flight must be made at the same time as the transatlantic flight. Additional flights can be reserved three days prior to departure. All travel must be completed by Dec. 31.

Alitalia flies from Los Angeles to most major cities in Europe, as well as Algiers, Casablanca, Cairo and Tunis in North Africa, and Tel Aviv and Damascus in the Middle East.

As an example of the savings involved, the price of a regular Alitalia one-way economy ticket between Rome and Moscow is $942; between Rome and Tel Aviv, $824.

Call Alitalia at (800) 223-5730.

For travel within Italy, consider one of the Italian rail passes.

The Italy Flexi Railcard has three versions, all offering unlimited rail travel during specific time periods. Any four days within a nine-day period costs $170 first-class and $116 second-class. Eight days within a three-week period is priced at $250 first-class and $164 second-class, and 12 days within a 30-day period costs $314 first-class and $210 second-class.

Other options include one of the consecutive-day Italian Railpasses. An eight-day pass costs $226 first-class and $152 second-class; 15 days costs $284 and $190; 21 days, $330 and $220, and 30 days, $396 and $264.

All of these passes include travel on the high-speed Intercity, Eurocity and Rapido trains without paying a surcharge. The only exceptions are the deluxe, high-speed TR450 trains, where an extra payment is required. Both passes allow children 4 to 12 years old to ride at half-fare, while children under 4 travel at no charge.

There are also Kilometric Tickets valid for 20 trips within a two-month period, but limited to a total of 3,000 kilometers (1,863miles). The ticket may be used by as many as five people at one time. When used by more than one person, trips are calculated by multiplying the distance by the number of travelers. The price is $264 first-class and $156 second-class. Children under 12 are charged half the distance traveled, while children under 4 ride free. The Kilometric Ticket is only valid on regular trains; a surcharge has to be paid for travel on all high-speed trains.

All of the passes are valid for six months from the date of purchase. Once the pass is used for the first time, travelers have two months from that point to complete use.

Call CIT Tours/Italian State Railways at (800) 248-7245 or (310) 338-8615.