Need help for Italy Train Tickets

This is how it works, every train has a certain number of Super Economy and Economy tickets allotted to it. When all the Super Economy tickets for that train are sold, then there are only Economy and full fare tickets available for sale. When all the Economy tickets are sold, then only full fare ticket are left. so the longer you wait, the more cheap tickets will be bought up until only full fare is your only option.

Yes, the earlier you buy, the cheaper the price will be. These cheap tickets are all nonrefundable and must be used on the train you booked or they are worthless. But if you know where you have to go and you have hotels booked, why not get a deal. You know you have to get there on that day. Book early and you get your pick of departure times at the best prices.

Rail passes are rarely cost effective when compared to advance nonrefundable tickets. And with a rail pass, you still have to buy seat reservations, which are automatically included when you buy a ticket.

You have 5 days of travel, so you would need a 4 day pass plus the free day. If your calculations show that a pass is a good deal, go for it. But use the prices on the Trenitalia website, not Raileurope's.

I haven't compared prices, but as Sam mentioned rail passes are rarely cost effective in Italy. Advance purchase Super Economy tickets will be the least expensive, however keep in mind that these are non-refundable and non-changeable once purchased. If you're not going to use the extra day provided by the rail pass deal, there wouldn't seem to be much point in getting it.

If you wish to buy advance tickets, you can either use the rail network websites (Trenitalia or Italo) or www.trainline.eu which sells tickets at the same price as the rail networks. You can use either Trenitalia or Italo on the routes you mentioned, so shop around.

I'm a solo woman traveler. I travel Italy and Sicily by train or bus. I'm extremely frugal, but I would not pre-purchase tickets. Your plans might change.
I purchase my tickets through the Captain Train app on my iPhone (which has a different name now, but extremely user-friendly. Both names show up in the App Store.)
I assume you travel the Steves-Way - just one light carry on ... so it's truly easy.
Download the app before you go. Play with a few hypothetical trips so you're comfortable using the app. Notice how long the trip is, whether you'll have stops, train transfers, long layovers. Once you play a little, you'll be comfortable and fearless. Buy 2nd class tickets - the seats sure look the same as first class to me.
Public transport in America is pathetic. Europe moves the public with public transport - very cheaply!
Example: from Catania a round trip bus up Mt Etna is approx €8. Have a great adventure.

angelina,

"I purchase my tickets through the Captain Train app on my iPhone (which has a different name now, but extremely user-friendly."

Captain Train is now called Trainline.

While it's certainly possible to buy tickets when in Italy, it's not usually possible to get the heavily discounted Super Economy tickets. Tickets purchased on the day of travel will generally be Base Fare, which is the highest price tier.

I agree with you that Second Class is quite adequate and comfortable.

Thank You so much everyone for your replies!
Really Helpful.
I know where and around which time I would go.. But i am not completely sure about the exact time.. That's why i was a bit unsure about purchasing the tickets in advance as they are non refundable and non exchangeable.. But i will consider purchasing them as they are very cost effective.
Thanks for your help.

Hi, I suggest you to observe this site: http://www.italotreno.it/en.
Every Friday in late morning they publish good offers to buy tickets in advance.
Elena

Once I have hotels booked, I buy train tickets to get the best discount.

I know that I prefer taking mid-morning trains, so there's not a lot of thinking about departure times for me.