Purchasing train tix 120 days out

Typically, Regionale tickets are only available at the station, are cheap and readily available. I've never been on a Regionale that was even close to being full and you can buy them up until the moment the train leaves. I have been able to buy them ahead of time through Trainitalia, but it was apart of a Venice to Pisa (with a connection in Florence) ticket. I don't think there is any need to worry about buying one at the station.

Kim I just purchased my train tickets last weekend for trip from La Spezia to Rome. I used the trenitalia site without any problems. However, my train trip to La Spezie will be on regional from Manarola, so will not be getting those tickets till day of trip. I had no issues and feel confident from other peoples comments about the regional trains and no reservations.

Kim, I'm a big fan of 119 days out and not 120. With Italy being 8-9hrs ahead of us, often times the tickets will not yet be available as you may be in the 121st day. Minor problem. Secondly, you absolutely can buy your ticket from Rome to Lucca online and receive both the fast train ticket and the Regionale ticket. I've done it a few times to different locations (i.e. Rome to Assisi). True, you can't buy a Regionale ticket online more than 7 days out from the date of travel but you certainly can when the Regionale ticket is combined with a fast train ticket. Today is 2/7. I'm looking online right now at 6/6 (119 days out) and here's a link to a picture of what I see. http://gyazo.com/74b8e7bd7405c2a90a1aa9633f20d2a6

I can buy any of these tickets right now and I will receive an email within 60 seconds with both tickets. The Regionale train ticket is pre-validated and must be used within 4 hours of arrival at your transfer station. Note that if you are willing to accept a non-refundable ticket, you can get a fare as low as 12.30Euro. This routing does not go via Florence which is more expensive. It goes Rome/Civitavecchia/Livorno/Pisa. From Pisa to Lucca, the Regionale train takes 27 minutes.

Right now, the 119 days out works fine. However, after Feb 12, you begin to bump up against the Trenitalia mid-year schedule refresh. Trenitalia is notorious for being tardy in getting the schedule refreshes up early and if you are looking out beyond June 13 - June 15, you may not see all runs or all trains.

I also prefer to have tickets in hand. I have often bought tickets online that include a regionale segment and have received the entire trip tickets via email right away. I am registered, don't know if that makes a difference. You can call them, agents speak English and can answer your questions.

OK thanks! I am fine to register, but I thought you had to have Italy address... that is the part that is holding me up. I see the regionale ticket on the site, but I am afraid when I go to get it and it says I have to register to get the regional one... Oh well if it does, I'll just get the fast train one and then get the regionale there.

And thanks for the heads up about the schedule refresh... i am sure to get caught in that since I am booking for June 17. Good to know not to panic if I don't see trains! :)

Thanks!
Kim

You do not need an Italy address to register on the Trenitalita side.

Lets also be clear about the regional tickets. Regional tickets are open tickets (no reservations) that can be used at anytime on a Regional train up to 60 days from purchase when purchased at a ticket window or machine. Any regional ticket purchased online either as a part of an on-going tickets or within the seven day window for internet purchase will come with restrictions. One way to think about it is that the on-line purchased Regional tickets comes pre-validated for the dates and times you have selected. If you miss that train, the ticket is toast.

Therefore, we never buy Regional tickets in advance on line. It is easy to hit any ticket machine in any station and buy all of your regional tickets at one time.