Is it true that Trenitalia issues online tickets differently that other train sites? DB Bahn and others issue a tickets with a QR code but Trenitalia only has a retrieval code and Ticket number. Do I have to go to a machine or ticket counter to get an actual ticket? Thanks.
Trenitalia issues print at home e-tickets in the form of a PDF attachment in your email that you can also display on a mobile or e-tickets that can be displayed in their ap on your phone also. There is no need to go to a ticket counter. It is no different from what you will find in other western Europe countries.
OK, so we are supposed to stamp the ticket, and I presume that this is not possible with an online ticket?
Jan, do you have the trenitalia app on your phone? This is what makes a difference. When I click on "My journeys" on the app it lists the tickets I have bought. If I click on an individual ticket, then a screen with the ticket information and a QR code shows up on my phone.
My understanding is that tickets bought on the app are always for a specific train, so you do not need to "validate" those tickets. The QR code should get you through any gates and you show it to the conductor on the train.
If you have an assigned seat, tickets don't need to be stamped. Regional tickets can be purchased at the station and must be validated (stamped) at the machine before boarding.