NEED Help with Trenitalia train schedules

Larry, the 5-minute change at Pisa Centrale could be an issue. Its fine if you arrive and depart on the same platform but unfortunately, Trenitalia does not show the arriving and departing platforms. There are about 4 platforms and 7-8 tracks at Pisa Centrale. They are connected by an underground tunnel. If your departing train is on another platform, its 1)run to the connecting tunnel, 2) go down approx. 25 stairs, 3) run to your new platform and, 4) run up 25 stairs. And all of this with your luggage. Do they have elevators? Yes. Do they work? Maybe. It's often faster to make the run rather than wait for the slow elevator. Try watching the seniors do this run. We are seniors and we have been there done that. Still, we have never missed a train. Now a slight bit of information. Normally, you cannot buy Regionale tickets online. And, you will be on 3 different Regionale trains. However, when you combine Regionale trains with a Frecci fast train, such as what you are doing, you can buy all of the tickets. These tickets are different from the Regionale tickets you buy when you are in Italy. First, they are pre-validated. Says so right on the ticket. Second, the validated Regionale ticket will say that you have up to 4 hours to begin the trip. That means you can miss your train and take any Regionale train making the run shown on the ticket over the next 4 hours. If you want proof of this statement, I'll post a copy of my ticket that I bought from Rome to Assisi. My Regionale ticket says this. Finally, if you do miss your train, the next train departs at 16:01 but it's a Frecci fast train. Your Regionale ticket will not work on this train. the next Regionale train departs 30 minutes later.

Larry, As you've never travelled on trains in Italy before, I'd suggest using the train departing Venezia Santa Lucia at 07:25, arriving Manarola at 13:21 (time 5H:56M, 2 changes at Firenze SMN and La Spezia Centrale). That one is one of the easiest with only two changes, but also each change is a bit longer. The first leg of that trip is via Freccia (fast) train, which has compulsory reservations which are specific to that train and departure time. Be sure to board ONLY that train, otherwise you may face a hefty fine, which will be collected on the spot! On that trip, you'll have an assigned car no. and seat no. The other two legs are via Regionale trains. If you buy these early and they're "pre-validated" as mentioned in the first reply, you won't have to validate locally. However, if you buy them in Italy, you MUST validate them prior to boarding the train on the day of travel, or again hefty fines! Keep that in mind if you'll be using any of the Regionale trains while in the Cinque Terre. Tickets for Buses also must be validated in cities, including Rome. In terms of "changing trains", the platform (Binario) may or may not be shown on the tickets. Platforms seem to be frequently switched in Italy, so it's a good idea to verify the the train no. with the track no. on the electronic board prior to boarding. There will be TV monitors on each platform showing that information. Buon Viaggio!

Thank you Larry and Ken, I actually booked the 9:25 departure with about the same delay between the connections as the 7:25 flight (but letting the wife sleep a little longer). So, it sounds like if I pre-book all my train trips, I do not need to validate the tickets before getting on the train?

Larry, The 09:25 departure will also work fine. There were several runs with only two changes, so I picked one. You don't have to validate your ticket on the first train from Venice, but you MUST ensure that you board ONLY FrecciArgento 9415. If the Regionale tickets are pre-validated as described in the first reply, you shouldn't have to validate them. Cheers!

Tickets state in the Notices section on the bottom: 2. Tickets
2.2. are already validated and allow journeys to begin within 4 hours... I am assuming that is what was referred to. Thank you again