Train from Venice to La Spezia- no solution found- trains full for my travel day?

Regionali and IC trains have not been loaded onto the schedule for trains after the June 12 semi annual schedule adjustment. Same sitch every 6 months. Italians wait to the last minute.
Answer: chill. They will get to it eventually, hopefully in the next couple of weeks.
Meantime, just look at trains for June 10 and proceed with your plans as if the trains will be there when you travel, certainly by June 13.

Don't panic. I believe the new Trenitalia schedule for regional trains is published sometime in June, which is why you aren't seeing anything for July. Check schedules for, say, next week - should be similar for July.

So after June 12 the schedule will open for July 22? I looked up June 10 and see lots of options that would work for me timewise. I will be looking on June 12 then. I assume this is the same for the trains from La Spezia to Naples? I saw one train option on the date I need, but when I put in June 10 many more choices come up. Seems possible now, thank you. June 12 will go on the calendar to book trains then.

Actually, there is no advantage to booking regional trains online - no price difference, and they never sell out. You would just want to look at the schedule in order to see what your options are.

They might be available before that. It is a long story. Regionale trains are subsidized to a certain extent by the regional governments. So right now, they are negotiating the schedule and prices. Have you ever negotiated with the government? It always goes down to the wire.
Europe wide, the train schedules are adjusted in June and December. All the other countries have the schedules out, but politics enters into the picture in Italy.

You shouldnt purchase regional trains ahead of time. I don't even know you can (always purchased on the spot). There is no advantage, no discounts and seats aren't reserved, et are on a first come first served basis, if you can't find a seat you just stand up, they are like subway trains.
If you travel to La Spezia via Florence, the Venice-Florence segment, which is aboard high speed Frecciarossa trains may make sense to purchase online, because of the heavily discounted Economy and Superconomy fares. Just buy that portion ahead of time if you wish. However those discounted fares are non refundable/changeable therefore if you miss the specific train you book, you lose your money. If you are not reasonably certain of your travel plans you should buy on the spot at the station.

north,

Not to worry, there will be numerous trains available. As the others have mentioned, the schedules haven't been uploaded to the Trenitalia website yet. I'd suggest just buying your tickets at the station in Venice, a day or so before you'll be traveling. With locally purchased Regionale tickets, you MUST validate these before boarding the train on the day of travel, or risk hefty fines!

Trains rarely, if ever, sell out in Italy so you will not get stranded. Second, Regionale trains never sell out because it is open seating. Simply get on. No seat? Stand till a seat becomes available. And never buy a Regionale train ticket on line since it comes with restrictions. Buy them when you get to the station the day of, or day before, or anytime it is convenient.

I seem to remember years when the new schedule for Trenitalia wasn't even posted after the second week in June, so no one could find anything on Trenitalia. In most cases, when the new schedule is posted, any changes will be minor.

The Bahn already has German train schedules posted for the next half year, until December 10.

Regional train tickets can be purchased on the Trenitalia website in combination with a high-speed train ticket. While it’s usually better to purchase them separately once in Italy, there are limited situations where I find it convenient and low-risk to buy the combination. For example, I have purchased the regional La Spezia to Monterosso ticket together with the Rome to La Spezia high-speed ticket. The regional ticket is pre-validated and good for 4 hours from the purchased departure time. Because it’s a short inexpensive regional train trip easily completed within 4 hours and saves having to stop and buy a regional ticket, that situation makes sense to me. However, the longer Florence to Pisa and Pisa to La Spezia regional train legs of your trip are ones where I wouldn’t pre-purchase the regional tickets. As suggested, the better strategy is to consider buying your Venice to Florence ticket while the best discounts are still available and then purchasing the regional tickets in Italy. They can be purchased in advance at any station or travel agency in Italy, but do NOT validate them until shortly before you’re ready to board. They’re “open” tickets good for any regional (R) or regional veloce (RV) train on the purchased itinerary, but the clock starts ticking as soon as you validate them and expires 4-6 hours later. Also note that regional tickets cannot be used on intercity (IC) trains. Intercity trains require a different ticket that comes with a seat reservation.

Just to clarify Frank's point a bit. If you purchase a ticket from A to D but the train between between B and C is Regionale train then you will receive a pre-validated Regionale train ticket along with tickets from A to B, and C to D. The Regionale ticket will have a start time that matches the time for first leg arrival and will be good for three hours (only a three window when the ticket is good) Doesn't make any difference to you since you have to be at the C to D train at a specific time. With that schedule you have no flexibility. It is off one train and on to the next.

If the Regionale train was your last leg, then you might wait and buy the Regionale ticket after you arrive if you were interested in seeing that town before moving on. The advice to not buy a Regionale ticket on-line is best when dealing with Regrionale trains only because an on-line ticket has restrictions. But if the Reggionale ticket is included with the other tickets, then it fine.

Have you considered driving. It is an awesome drive, easy and just beautiful. I picked up a rental in Venice and dropped off in La Spezia. You can really have fun, go at your leisure.

Lorieann

As long as you remembered to get your International Drivers permit, don't blow through any robot speed cameras, or try to zip through a ZTL. Don't forget $7 gas, and have lots of toll money handy.

Thank you so much for all this wonderful information! I am pretty sure we will not rent a car, I knew that was an option if all else failed. We won't be stopping on our way to see things, just a direct change of home base for us. I only have 3 trains/4 apartments I have to arrange so it should work out. Thank you again!