Train Tickets Italy Buy Online
Trenitalia is the primary train operator in Italy and is owned by the Italian government. ItaliaRail is a private agency that sells Trenitalia tickets. Both companies sell online tickets to the general public.
train tickets italy buy online
Eurocity tickets are usually available to buy up to six months before the departure date. If you want to snap up the cheapest fares, make sure you buy your ticket in advance as they tend to sell out quickly. Seat reservations are not always compulsory on Eurocity trains, but we recommend you book a seat when travelling on busier and more popular routes. Learn more about Eurocity trains.
Tickets are cheaper for regional trains, but the onboard facilities are more basic. There is normally only one class and seat reservations are not mandatory, passengers sit where they want. The price of regional train tickets is fixed, so it will cost the same on the day as it will in advance. Your ticket can also be used for any train within a four-hour window. Whilst the quality of trains can vary quite wildly on regional trains, they are by far the cheapest rail option in Italy.
Wondering how much in advance you can buy Italian train tickets or how much luggage you can take aboard Italian trains? 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.
In general, small dogs are allowed on board Italian trains, free of charge. On Trenitalia services they must be kept in a pet container no bigger than 70x30x50cm. The rules are slightly different on Italo services; dogs under 10kg travel for free (they must also be in a container). Larger dogs can travel with you on most trains but you will have to keep them muzzled and on a leash. You will have to buy a ticket for your pet, however; the price ranges from 30% to 50% of your fare depending on the carrier. Note that you can only buy tickets for pets in the station, not online.
So, you've reached the end of our guide to travelling in and around Italy by train. We've covered the types of train you can travel on, their classes and who operates them. You should now also know how to buy Italian train tickets and which ones are the best for your budget.
Traveling by train also lets you see the country like an Italian, because it is a common mode of transportation to go from 1 busy city to another. Train travel in Italy can save you time because they frequently use high-speed trains. For example, the train from Florence to Rome takes 1 hour 30 minutes. It helps to know some basic Italian phrases that will help you buy a ticket, but the Italian ticket machines and signs are fairly easy for English travelers to navigate. Find out how to buy train tickets in Italy.
Unlike rail passes, it's generally easy to buy point-to-point train tickets right at the station (whereas most rail passes aren't widely available in Europe). But it can be smart to buy in advance for certain trains and destinations, especially if your dates are set and you don't want to risk a specific train journey selling out, or if you're hoping to land an advance-purchase discount.
You have three main options for buying point-to-point tickets: through a US-based retailer before leaving home (we even sell them right here), through the website of one of Europe's national railways, and in person at Europe's train stations (and at some European travel agencies). For big discounts, buy tickets up to three months ahead (just note that these tickets are nonrefundable and nonchangeable).
The easiest way to get train tickets online is to buy them through ricksteves.com (after all, you're already here!). Virtually all US-based websites and travel agents sell European train tickets for the exact same prices you'll find here.
Many European national rail companies allow customers to buy tickets online at the going European price (usually for faster classes of trains for which reservations are required, or at least recommended).
Once in Europe, you can simply get tickets at the station, usually without much fuss, either on your day of travel or in advance (see my tips for buying tickets in European train stations). This is the best option if you'd prefer to keep your itinerary more spontaneous. You can even get tickets for trains in another country: For example, if your trip starts in Paris, you can buy your Berlin-to-Prague ticket at any Parisian train station. Tickets bought at train-station windows tend to be easier to change (or have refunded) than tickets bought online.
In some cities you can avoid trekking to the train station by visiting a neighborhood travel agency or branch office of the national railroad. This convenience may come with a fee, but if the agency is easier for you to get to than the train station, buying tickets there can save lots of time and hassle (and travel agents may have more time and English-language skills than the people behind the train-station counter).
Advance purchase (a week to several months in advance) can save you significant money in many countries (most notably Austria, Britain, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden), especially for faster or longer rides. On-sale dates vary by country, route, and time of year, with most starting two to four months in advance of travel, and six months ahead for Germany and the Eurostar Chunnel train. In some areas (such as Switzerland and most eastern countries), advance-purchase deals either don't exist or aren't worth the hassle. In most places, tickets for slower regional or medium-speed trains cost the same whether they're bought two months or two minutes before the train leaves.
Regional trains generally only offer second-class tickets, and purchasing your fare in advance is not always possible. In addition, on-board amenities vary greatly with regional rail services, so know that taking these trains is a bit of a roll of the dice.
Venice Venice, with its world-famous canals and gondolas, is one of the most recognizable cities on the planet. Also known as the floating city, Venice is a must-see on your train trip through Italy. This romantic city is a hub in the north, with an impressive collection of architecture, charming bridges over winding canals, and narrow, pedestrian-only streets. Luckily, it's incredibly easy to reach Venice by train. Trenitalia and Italo both offer direct high-speed trains to connect Venice with Milan, Florence, Rome and other big cities. Book cheap train tickets to Venice
Ticket sales usually start about four months in advance for high-speed and long-distance trains. Purchasing as far out as possible will give you the most ticket options. Economy or super economy tickets are generally the cheapest, though they come with little to no flexibility or cancellation options.
Note that if you are traveling with a Eurail or Interrail pass, you will need to pay a small surcharge to make a reservation on high-speed and long-distance trains in Italy. You can do this at the staffed ticket offices at the station or online from the website where you purchased the pass.
Rather than showing your ticket as you board, a train conductor will make the rounds to check tickets once the train has departed. Once you hear them calling out for tickets, have your ticket ready to show as they pass. No need to worry about showing identification unless you have a Eurail or Interrail pass.
Seat Arrangement Italian high-speed and long-distance trains are a comfortable way to travel. Carriages usually have a variety of seating options, which you will choose when you purchase your tickets. There are options to sit side by side, or across from another passenger. If you are traveling in a group, there are some spots with four seats (two seats facing another two seats with a small table in the middle). It is important that you sit in your assigned seat! Seats are reclinable, and there are pull-down trays or tables in front of every seat. 041b061a72