Is it better to buy train tickets online or when I get to Venice?

If you have fixed plans and know when you want to take the train, i.e. you are checking out of your hotel at 9 AM, then there is a financial incentive to buying tickets early when the have just gone on sale (4 months out or so). If your plans are not firm then there is little sense in buying a non-refundable ticket in advance.

Hi Jane,

If you are talking about individual train tickets in just Italy, for greater flexability, you won't have any problem buying them once you are there, at the station a day or two ahead. If you are certain of your travel dates and times, then you can save money by purchasing any of the high-speed Freccia trains ahead, online through Trenitalia - www.trenitalia.com. Most of these advance-purchase tickets are non-refundable, non-exchangeable, so you should be ready to commit at time of purchase.

The ONLY reason to buy ticket for Italy on-line is to take advantage of the deep discount that could be available. That is a very good reason but the drawback is the deep discount tickets as previously stated are non-changable and non-refundable. If you are willing to commit to a fixed schedule then the on-line tickets can be a very good deal. If you concern is the availability of tickets at the last minute, then don't worry as it is very rare (I would say never but there is always an exception) for a train to sell out. If by change the 8am train is sold, then will be seats on the 9am. Not anything like buying US airline tickets.

Since this really relates to your other questions, I would buy at the station as needed. You will pay more for that convenience but given what you have asked in your other questions, the convenience of open times is well worth it. Don't use age as an excuse. I am guessing you are younger than many of your responders.

She is doing a daytrip to Florence from Venice to see the Uffizi.

If I were doing this! I would definitely purchase my tickets in advance online, to achieve significant savings, and to avoid the ticket windows or kiosks at the train station. The windows have long lines and at the kiosks you may run into "helpers", even at the Santa Lucia station (I did when buying tickets from the kiosk for a daytrip to Padua).

Look at the schedules and prices on both Trenitalia and Italo:

http://www.italotreno.it/?sc_lang=en

We used the Italo train from Venice to Rome last month and it was very nice. The train stops in Florence on the way.

Both companies offer "print at home" tickets you can bring with you so all you need to do is board the train and find your seat. If buying in advance the First class tickets may be cheap enough to make this a good option, if you want a single seat by the window ( no one sitting next to you) as that is the setup on the Frecce trains (Trenitalia) and Italo.

As others have suggested, you do not need a Viator tour to do this. Just go on your own and you can set your own schedule---and get back to Venice before 10:30 pm if you wish. (I would have no qualms about walking in Venice that late at night, but you seem a bit concerned. Make sure you "practice" the walk between your hotel and the Rialto vaporetto stop so you know the best route. )

jane,

As the others have mentioned, buying tickets in advance can provide considerable savings. However keep in mind that you MUST be willing to commit to a specific departure as the fast trains come with compulsory seat reservations that are specific to train, date and departure time. With the cheapest Super Economy tickets, these are non-refundable and non-changeable once purchased, so if you miss your train you'll have to buy another ticket at full price (Base Fare). DON'T be caught without valid reservations for the train you're riding on, or you'll risk hefty fines which will collected on the spot!

If you wish to buy tickets locally and cost isn't a concern, that's also possible. I normally like to purchase tickets at least the day prior to travel so that I don't have to deal with queues at the ticket office or Kiosks. With tickets purchased shortly before travel, these tend to always be at Base Fare, which is the highest pricing tier. As I recall, you can also buy tickets at a few travel agencies in Venice (details in the guidebook).

If you wish to buy tickets online, you can use either the Trenitalia or Italo websites, or www.capitainetrain.com which is a very user friendly website and sells tickets for both trains.

Buon Viaggio!