What to Know About Train Travel in Italy

From Buying Tickets to Reading Times at Italian Train Stations

Sep 1, 2009

Train travel contributes to one of the most popular ways Italians and tourists travel throughout Italy, but also can be the most confusing form of transportation.

Knowing the ins and outs of Italian trains will save travelers from missed connections and general panic at the station.

Travelers in Italy face several options for buying train tickets. Tickets can be purchased on Trenitalia’s website by registering for a user name and password. Sometimes the site offers discounts of 5% for buying online.

If computer resources are limited, travelers can also buy their tickets at the ticket windows in most stations. However, the easiest way to buy tickets could be to simply use the automated machines located throughout Italian train stations. Most offer either cash or credit payment options.

For the more visual minded, the machines list clearly the timetables for every hour of desired departure. With a rainbow of language options, the self-buying machines may be an outsider’s best option.

Probably one of the most confusing aspects to Italian train travel can start merely by looking at the departure timetable. While travelers may have booked a train to Pisa, that train may ultimately have stops after Pisa. Avoid panicking by looking for specific train numbers instead of times just to make sure the train listed as going to Livorno is also stopping in Pisa.

Also, blue and white paper schedules are posted around stations that are generally accurate as to train times throughout the day. Listed next to the time, the binario or platform number will generally tell which platform trains arrive and depart during the year.

Validating Train Tickets

The conductor blows the whistle and the train is ready to pull out of the platform. Clueless tourists jump off and run to the normally yellow machines to validate their ticket. Tickets are checked on board almost always on Italian trains. Eurostar trains do not normally require a validation, as seats must already be reserved in advance.

In contrast, Trenitalia city and regional trains without reservation can be checked for validation without warning. On more popular rides, generally the conductor will not come down the aisle. However, if travelers are caught without validating their tickets, up to 50 euros might be demanded on the spot.

As most Italian train tickets do not list any information besides departure and arrival cities, tickets could easily be re-used without buying a new one every time. This is why validation is important for visitors in order to avoid big price tags on fines.

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