Credit Cards at Italian Train Stations

Yes. Most ticket machines will take the old mag strip cards. Some of the large stations, Termini for example, will have a mix of old and new machines. Worse case, you can use a ticket window. And there is nothing wrong with paying cash which we tend to do.

Not so sure you can use Chase Sapphire in Italy. It's not VISA or Mastercard, is it?

It's a VISA. Thank you

Audrey, When I was in Rome last year, the automated ticket Kiosks at Termini and other stations were accepting the older magnetic stripe credit cards. Although I have "Chip & PIN" cards, the machines never asked for a PIN so I'm assuming they processed the transaction using only the mag stripe. If you're able to buy tickets prior to midnight at least 48 hours prior to travel, you may be able to qualify for the discounted "Mini" fares. Happy travels!

Hi, we are also going to Italy in April for two weeks and have found the whole train website to be a nightmare. Just out of curiosity, are you planning on getting your train tickets at the train stations because it's so frustrating online, or is it just because you want the freedom to come and go? I don't mean to be noisy, but I had to ask since your trip sounds familiar to mine. Thank you.

Nice to see a fellow Nashuan on here! On the occasions that I take the train, I usually buy my tickets from the machines in the train station and almost always use my credit card. Never had a problem.

Mary, "and have found the whole train website to be a nightmare." Given your location, you might find it very helpful to take a drive to Edmonds. In all probability, you could sort all of your rail travel issues by spending an hour or so with the travel experts at ETBD. Is there a particular issue with the rail websites? Good luck!

I use the trenitalia.com site for preparation but I buy the tickets once I'm in Italy. Machines and ticket windows take credit cards.

Mary, we are not purchasing more for the freedom than anything else. I have been on the website to get an idea of how frequently the trains come and go, duration and cost. Seems that for our destinations the trains are fairly regular and I guess I would like to just see how the day goes and then get from place to place. I have hotels reserved already for each night, I just want to try and relax and see what each day brings. Here is our Itinerary Day 1- Fly into Naples and taxi to Pompeii (spend the night) Day 2 Morning in Pompeii then train to Sorrento and Sita to Positano (spend the night) Day 3 Morning in Positano and then SITA to Amalfi (spend the night) Day 4 SITA to Ravello (spend the night) Day 5 SITA to Amalfi and then Salerno, train to Rome Day 6 & 7 Rome (Colosseum, Forum, Vatican, Trevi, Spanish Steps) Day 8 Train from Rome to Chiuisi, rental car to Montalcion Day 9&10 in Montalcion Banfi and Argiano Wine tour Day 11 Train from Chiusi to Venice Day 12 Venice ( St Marks, Doges Palace, Canal Tour)
Day 13 Fly home to USA

Mary - it is really quite straightforward even though it may not seem that way when you look online. I've been to italy 3 times in the past year with young kids and I bought tickets at the stations every time. it has not been a problem at all. We've used kiosks or ticket counters if I've had questions. What might help is if you took with you printouts of the various trains on the dates you hope to travel. Also, we generally buy tickets to leave a town when we get to that town, so you buy at least a day or two in advance.

I was in Italy last month (seems like soooo long ago) and was able to use my US credit card (no chip, no PIN) at the ticket machines in the train stations. You can also use cash. Some machines take both, some only cash, so before you stand in line, take a look. If you take the "regionale" train, be sure to validate your tickets at the yellow machine on the train platform. For the faster trains, you will have a reserved seat, so no need to validate.

I totally agree with Bob and Dale. Stay in Sorrento and day-trip to Pompeii, Positano, Ravello, Amalfi. Otherwise, you will not only waste too much time packing and unpacking, but you will have to schlep your luggage on the bus, and drop it off at your next hotel (where your room probably won't be ready for you) before going out to enjoy the sights. From Naples you can get to Sorrento by hydrofoil or train (don't know which is better from the airport). Pompeii is 30 minutes by train from Sorrento.

I have used my credit card at stations in Italy...mainly larger stations. I never buy my tickets before I leave. I always get them when I arrive. When I arrive into one city for a stay by train, I go right to the ticket counter and buy my tickets for the next city...3 or 4 days away (I usually stay in each city 3-4 days)....that way I have my ticket and don't have to get to the station early the day of departure because lines to get tickets can be long even in the smallest station. It has always worked for me. I usually buy first class tickets but have traveled second class many times (not all trains have first class cars on some routes). If you are going during tourist season, I would buy first class. If you are going during "shoulder" season, second class would be fine as there should be seats available.

Audrey, it appears that you will be doing a lot of moving around. While this method does allow one to cover a lot of ground, it is also very tiring & time consuming. Just sayin'............

Whew! All those one-nighters. Have to agree with Bob. It looks like a disproportionate amount of your vacation time is going to be spent in logistics and travel and not enough time parking in one place and enjoying it. Say Sorrento or Positano as a base and daytipping out of it. Probably too late to change?

Audrey What Chani, Bob, and Dave said! As Chani said, stay in one place for your Amalfi and Sorrento Coast sightseeing and day trip. Although your itinerary appears doable, it is certainly unnecessary, draining to change hotels all the time, and logistically a pain. Many of us on the board, including me, strongly discouratge one night stays for the above reasons. And you have 5 in a row, if I recall! The reason we recommend longer stays of at least 2 nights, is we have made this mistake ourselves! And turned in to grouchy, disoriented travelers! Only looking for you to have the basis for a more leisurely, happy trip! Happy Travels. Bobbie