Save money while enjoying more comfortable and wider reclining seats than the Standard ones. There are some very small train stations that do not have yellow validation machines. If you can commit to a specific date and time then buy as soon as they're available to save money. James Feess is the creator of The Savvy Backpacker and the author of the book "The Savvy Backpacker's Guide To Europe On A Budget". I recommend you use the Trenitalia mobile app as much as you can. Known the world over, taking a ride along the canals of Venice and passing under beautifully crafted bridges is the best way to take in the history and culture of the city. Mobile Ticketing | RTD - Denver Review and complete it here. If that happens, make sure to check thelayovertime. But be aware that for busy Frecce and Italo train routes, your first choice of train time might not be available or your party not find seats together on the train. Theres even a cinema carriage playing current movies, spicing those long trips up! However, only Trenitalia allows foreigners to get a fidelity card. Trains are a very safe option for travelling around. Make sure to read all theconditionsbefore applying. Trains are not the only way to get around in Italy. Learn more about each below. Air-conditioning is not always guaranteed on older regional trains. In this case, you may be able to give your ticket to the conductor to be punched. To illustrate, Economy and Super Economy Fares on Trenitalia services require you to catch a specific train; if you miss that, tough luck! Rail passes do not, however, cover most of Italy's privately run trains, such as these biggies: Beside the popular-with-tourists trains listed above, several other privately run Italian railways don't accept rail passes: most TRENORD trains (which operate in some areas of northern Italy, including between Milan Cardorna station and the town of Como), Gargano Railways (from San Severo), and BariMatera trains ($5 tickets). Get 20% off digital Railcards using code 20ISPLENTY at checkout. Click on one of our most popular Italian train routes below and check train times and other useful information to plan your journey in advance. Can a Eurail Pass Save You Money in Eastern Europe? Important: Seat reservations are mandatory on Frecce trains. Omiois my preferred booking service because they sell the same Italian train tickets at the same price as Trenitalia but with the benefit of being user-friendlyno issues using a foreign credit card, no translation issues, etc. However, fast trains are themostexpensiveones to use. If you cant decide whether to rent a car o take the train, make sure to check outthis post. It doesnt take too long. For example, a one-way ticket to travel on the Leonardo express the regional train which connects Roma Termini to Rome Fiumicino Airport always costs 14. Italian train tickets and rail passes can be purchased through Eurail, ItaliaRail and Rail Europe, all private entities, the latter of which are brokers of Trenitalia tickets. If e-tickets arent available, you can print/collect your tickets at the train station. Read our guide to train trips around a country full of beautiful places and unforgettable journeys. Dov' il deposito bagagli? Magic Mountain Tickets, Coupons, and Discounts, Getting Around Rome: Guide to Public Transportation, How to Travel from Rome to Milan by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel from Paris to Rouen by Train, Bus, and Car, How to Travel from Madrid to Barcelona by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, Getting Around Munich: Guide to Public Transportation, How to Travel from Paris to Reims by Train, Bus, and Car, How to Travel from Copenhagen to Aarhus by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, Getting Around Zrich: Guide to Public Transportation, How to Travel From London to Oxford by Train, Bus, and Car, How to Travel From Amsterdam to Maastricht by Train, Bus, and Car, How to Travel From London to Sheffield by Train, Bus, and Car. Buying Tickets and Reservations in Advance Questions? Now you can get E-tickets directly on your phone. Discover beautiful beaches around Italy you can reach easily by train. After the train is secured in the ships hold, steps are added next to the train doors you can either remain on the train or get off and walk upstairs to the deck and take some fresh sea air. If you want to snap up the cheapest fares, make sure you buy your ticket in advance as they tend to sell out quickly. These websites will give you the prices and times so you can quickly compare your options. It's a 4 seats compartment: Make a search for 5 passengers and the Salotto option won't be displayed. If you search for a round-trip ticket, all other tickets will be removed from your cart and will need to be re-added. Rome to Florence takes just 1h32 at up to 186 mph & costs from 19.90, Rome to Venice 3h45 from 29.90, Rome to Naples 1h10 from 19.90, Rome to Milan 2h55 from 29.90. The conductor may ask you to show a form of identification. Whether you're travelling as a family, a group or on a budget, we've found the available discounts and loyalty cards for you. The basics on choosing among rail passes For journeys within Italy, there are three main train operating companies Trenitalia, Italo and Trenord. High speed vs regional trains what's the difference? You will spend your whole trip just thinking about the next train you will have to take. Buses are also an excellent choice for savvy tourists. As long as you follow common sense, such as not leaving your luggage unattended and keeping your valuables with you at your seat, you shouldn't run into any problems. It is recommended to buy train ticketsdirectlyfrom the operator. Remember that you need to book your seat at an additional cost if youre travelling on a high-speed or night train. Tickets are cheaper for regional trains, but the onboard facilities are more basic. For these trips (most of which cost less than $50 for a second-class ticket), it's cheaper to buy point-to-point train tickets than a rail pass (since most cost more than $50 per day). 5 incredible Florence restaurants to check out on your next trip to Italy (gelato included). How to Buy Train Tickets in Italy: 7 Steps (with Pictures) Dov' il mio treno? Besides the narrow roads and confusing restrictions, many people fear getting lost on My name is Nicolas. Trenitalia offers great discounts for tickets purchased in advance, sometimes 30% or more off the regular price of the ticket. Seats between the major Italian cities do sell out so book train tickets online and in advance for routes between Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice, and Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Theyre usually much more basic and wont be as well looked after. Omio (formerly GoEuro) is a website and smart phone app that allows you to find the fastest, cheapest and best travel options by train, bus and flight to cities, towns and villages across Italy and Europe. Best prices guarantee. Travellingby train in Italywill take you on a journey of culture, history, architecture and endless scenery. In some cases, you will have to buy a first-class ticket if you want to travel that specific day. On the former, youll have to pay a 0.01 charge (the lowest possible fee required for tracing purposes as per Italian law) to access the internet; on the latter, you will need to enter your ticket code which youll find on the e-ticket we send you. You can book in advance one of the tickets below, depending on the train youll be boarding: You can buy tickets on the day for the regional trains operated by Trenitalia. Have a look at our recommended cities for what to see during your visit. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. The price of regional train tickets is fixed, so it will cost the same on the day as it will in advance. Make sure to book a Flixbus if you dont want to use high-speed trains. Example of how much you can save when buying tickets in advance:Route (One Adult)Ticket Price (On The Day)Ticket Price (Two Weeks in Advance)Ticket Price (One Month In Advance)Rome to Milan118,7672,1767,48Venice to Florence55,1639,6738,17Florence to Milan72,6647,4042,46Verona to Roma88,3858,7055,05Results may vary depending on the season (based on Italo and Frecciarossa prices). If you dont choose the right one, you may have to get a taxi or walk with your luggage. But only the fastest ones can take advantage of them. But dont expect to have the same level of quality as the other Frecce. High-speed trains are more expensive than regional trains. Avoid train-station ticket lines whenever possible by using the, If you do use the ticket windows, be sure to stand in the, You can buy train tickets (and make seat reservations) at major. In many cases youll receive an e-ticket sent to your phone (via email or the Trainline App)just show it to the train conductor. If you want to apply for a CartaFreccia, you need to fill outthis formon Trenitalias website. If youre flying to Fiumicino Airport, you can take the Leonardo express Trenitalias fast-regional train and be in central Rome in about half an hour. Remember that Cartafreccia is personal, so each passenger must have their own. Train companies dont haverestrictionson the number of baggage you can carry. There are many things to consider when booking Italian trains. ), More tips for figuring out whether a pass makes sense for your trip Trenitalia is Italys national train company and operates almost all other trains throughout Italy. Trains rarely sell out, but you may not be able to get a discount. Tip: Train is the best way to get to Florence from Milan, Venice, and Rome, but to see the Tuscan countryside or stay at a Tuscan Agriturismo its best to rent a car in Florence. Buy train & ferry tickets in advance or as we go? But the longer you wait, the more they will cost. As mentioned earlier, there are three main train companies in Italy (Trenitalia, Trenord and Italo), which cover all domestic routes, and three rail operators (BB, TGV and Eurocity), which operate on cross-border routes between France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Italy. Enjoy eco-leather reclining seats and free WiFi during your journey. 09/24/13 12:45 PM. TheSavvyBackpacker.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Trenitalia's train schedules and fares are typically only released between 90-120 days in advance*, so it's not a good idea to solidify travel plans before that pointthe timetable can change seasonally. Here's a quick summary of whats below simply click on one of the topics youre most interested in to jump straight to the relevant section. If time is not an issue for you, you should use them as your main transportation method. Parli inglese? Find out more about Frecciarossa Premium. Buying them around 6 weeks in advance cost us only 9 euros per trip (even for "longer" trips, like Rome-Pisa, Florence-Rome, and Rome-Naples)!! For your trip to Italy, we thought it might be a good idea to help you brush up a little further so that you never have to get into any difficulty while travelling. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. See some of the most common and useful-to-know phrases in Italian below! Look for the small green and white machines near the top of the train platform, insert your ticket and wait for the stamping sound. Want to know how to save money when buying your train tickets? You can claim compensation after24 hoursof the problem. Intercity day trains, which connect Rome and Naples to Palermo, Catania, Syracuse, Intercity night trains, which run from Milan, Rome and Naples to Palermo, Catania and Syracuse, Thello tickets are available to purchase 4 months in advance, All Trenitalia tickets are released 3 to 4 months in advance. The types of trains that Trenitalia run can be split broadly into two categories high-speed trains and regional trains. Guide To Mobile Data Plans and Smartphone Phones in Europe, How To Buy A SIM Card and Mobile Data Plans in Europe, Guide To Buying SIM Cards and Mobile Data Plans inItaly, How To Buy Train Tickets in France | Guide To Buying French Train Tickets, Italy Train Guide How To Travel Italy By Train, How To Buy Train Tickets in Italy | Guide To Buying Italian Train Tickets, France Train Guide How To Travel France By Train, How to Buy Train Tickets In Portugal | Guide to Portugal Train Tickets. As all regional trains in Italy, Trenord also offer the Ordinaria fare, which has a fixed price based on the distance between origin and destination, and on the class. Ticket prices may vary based on the class, travel date and number of seats available. Bikes travel for free on both regional and high-speed trains. How to travel Italy by train tips for buying Italian train tickets and advice for navigating Italy by rail. Where is my train? Check our general tips for buying point-to-point tickets, Looking Up European Train Schedules and Routes Online. Trains are still an excellent choice for traveling in Italy. Weve covered the basics, including the types of Italian train tickets available and how to book them online with us, so that anyone who reads this page from beginning to end can travel by train in Italy with confidence. If you buy your tickets from a ticket machine or window, and the ticket does not have a specific date or time, then you need to validate it before boarding the train. You may end up spending a lot more on your train trip just for small details. Train-Fare Maps: How Much Would You Pay Without a Pass? At worst, if it's sold out, you have to wait for the next train in an hour. compare that cost to the price of a rail pass, More tips for figuring out whether a pass makes sense for your trip, More tips for getting the most out of a rail pass, General advice on deciding between first and second class, Answers to frequently asked rail-pass questions. You cant get to the next train if you booked fromdifferentoperators. Or line up at the live attendant along with the other throng of "not sure where I am going travelers" and finally talk to an attendant that has been answering the same questions all day and not a happy camper. Discover the depths of Italys diverse cultures, and enjoy a remarkably scenic ride when you explore the country by train. In fact, there is no advantage in terms of price and conditions if you do so. Therefore, a Eurail or Interrail Pass might be worth only if you plan to visit several cities and are going to travel on many more expensive high-speed trains. You may want to use regional trains if you are on a tight budget. If you want to get to Sorrento, you can take the Circumvesuviana train from Naples the journey time is about an hour. Italo and Trenitalia run special promotions mainly on holidays. Youll need to book a space for your bike before your departure. If you want to learn more about traveling with luggage in Italy, make sure to check this post. Omio charges a small service fee (around $1-$3) but I feel its well worth the small extra cost. You will be able to choose your seat and avoid booking fees. On Trenitalia Le Frecce services, children up to the age of 4 travel for free (sat on the lap of a parent), children aged 4-14 pay 50% of an adult fare, and kids over 15 pay full fares. More tips for getting the most out of a rail pass There is a national timetable change on December 14, on December 15 you'll be able to buy tickets up to June 14. This depends entirely on the type of ticket you have bought, as the cheapest tickets usually require you to catch a specific train (at a given time), while more flexible but costlier options give you the option of changing which train you intend to take. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. You only have to show it to the train conductor, and you are ready to go. If it happens, put the dates in the Italian time zone. The regular price was around 40 euros if you buy them closer to the travel date, or in person (if I remember correctly). But if the delay isbetween 30 and 59 minutes, you will get a refund of25%on the ticket price. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Enjoy leather seats in rows of 2+2 with tables and plenty of legroom. Make sure to look for the newest Frecciarossa 1000. The fastest high-speed train the Frecciarossa 1000 can travel at speeds of up to 400 km/h (around 248 mph). . If you need to work on the go, Frecciarossa Business is the right choice for you! You can check all the guaranteed trains on theTrenitalia Strikesdocument. You can also select the single-seat option if you feel like you need more privacy. Dont forget to check the number of your seat. Visit Florence Cathedral, which is famous for its iconic brick dome, the largest of its type still built today. Established by Trenitalia and Ferrovie Nord Milano (FNM), Trenord run suburban and regional trains in Lombardy including the Malpensa Express connecting Milan to Milan Malpensa Airport and from Lombardy to Ticino, the Italian-speaking region in Switzerland. You cant simply turn up and jump on the first train that arrives. The ticket price is fixed so theres no price advantage when you book them in advance. Most big train stations are open 24/7 and are monitored by CCTV or onsite security. Hi, I'm James and I'm here to teach you how to travel Europe on a budget. After 7 hours of traveling by train, we felt almost destroyed. You can ask for compensation on the price of your ticket in case of delays. Once you arrive in Messina, the train will take you all the way to Palermo, Sicilys capital city, which means that you can travel direct by train from as far as Rome to Palermo the journey can be quite long (about 11h), but the stunning views over the Italian coast are definitely worth it! (Doh-vay eel me-oh treh-noh), Where are the toilets? Buy train tickets around Italy > Similarly, flight times between cities in Italy are rarely more than 90 minutes, but getting to the airport, through security, waiting around, then waiting around for luggage and getting into your destination city can take longer than the train - and is a lot more stressful. They are run exclusively by Trenitalia. 15 Essential Tips For Buying Train Tickets in Italy Wisely - Italian This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. To experience the vibrancy of the city, visit St Marks Square with its stunning Renaissance buildings, cafes and restaurants on all four sides. However, you will have to wait muchlongerto arrive at your destination. You can get the Trenitalia app on Android and iOS devices. Aside from the extra reservation fees required for certain classes of train (see above), Eurail passes cover all travel on trains run by the Italian State Railway (Ferrovie dello Stato Italiano). You can find the best discounts at this time, including "Super-Economy" or "Economy" that are under $15 for a second-class fare. The quickest and easiest way to buy train tickets is via the automated ticket machines (the machines all have English language options). There's plenty of storage space on Italian trains, both around the entrance of the carriage and under and above your seat. For all animals, make sure you have their documentation handy (i.e. link to Driving in Italy: Do Rental Cars Have GPS Navigation? Enjoy! Take high-speed trains if you have a tight itinerary. Cheap European train tickets Italy train tickets Spain train tickets Germany train tickets France train tickets Belgium train tickets Train companies UK train companies Eurostar tickets Trenitalia tickets Deutsche Bahn tickets SNCF tickets Renfe tickets OBB tickets Frecciarossa trains Popular journeys London to Paris train Paris to Amsterdam train Larger dogs can travel with you on most trains but you will have to keep them muzzled and on a leash. If youve bought your tickets in advance you can go directly to your train. ItaliaRail tickets are an attractive option if you want to purchase all of your tickets at once, or if you're interested in one of their independent or escorted rail packages, which include hotels and some meals and tours. For delays of atleast 120 minutes, the compensation is 50% of the ticket. Trains Tickets in Italy : r/travel - Reddit There are several high-speed trains in Italy, operated by Trenitalia and Italo. If you are traveling within Italy at off-peak times, check the train schedule to see if there is an "R" next to the train route for which you have a ticket. If a Regional or InterCity delaysup to 59 minutes, you cant ask for a refund. Trains in Italy, Tickets and Timetables - Book, search & compare trains Read our culture lover's guide to the city. Often they send promotional codes and coupons. The board will show what track your train departs from. Learn more about Eurocity trains. Once you're in Italy, you can buy tickets just before you get on a train. The best budget travel tips sent straight to your inbox. There can be a long line of people behind you, just take your time and dont feel rushed. We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about train travel in Italy, so you can find the answer you're looking for easily. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site.