Train layover policy

Grazie, Steve.

Brian,
If you are on a regional train which is most likely then this from the trenitalia site applies:

Tickets for journeys on regional trains with departure and destination stations in different regions are valid for 6 hours from stamping

If you are on a train that doesn't require a seat reservation you'll be able to get off at the stops you wish. If you are on a train that requires a seat reservation you'll have to buy specific point to point tickets. Tickets that require a seat reservation are for a specific train at a specific time so take the slower trains that don't require seat reservations. These tickets are the cheapest ones available on the slowest trains.

Donna

BEWARE:

In most cases (there are some exceptions), paper tickets for "regionale" trains (those WITHOUT seat reservations) are valid for SIX HOURS after "validation" (stamping in the little yellow machines by the rail track). You must REBOARD a later-departing regionale train while the ticket is still valid. It's OK if the ticket expires WHILE YOU'RE ON BOARD a train. You are allowed to complete your trip on that particular train. Obviously, it's not a good idea to reboard a train if your ticket has only a few minutes to expiration (as this can be viewed as an abuse of the tariff rules).

You can NEVER NEVER NEVER "break" a trip on a long-distance train with mandatory seat reservations.

All of the above information is good and very helpful. However, in this case it's a moot point. Brian will have to change trains in Pisa so he will have to buy a separate ticket for Pisa-Siena and he doesn't need to worry about the six-hour rule on regional trains.

I didnt think I would need a separate ticket as the ticket I am buying from the CT to Siena shows a stop in Pisa.

Well, the bottom line is that all trains from Pisa to Siena are regional trains so whether you are issued one ticket for the entire journey or separate tickets for each leg, you'll be fine.

Thanks guys, Trip is in Oct so I am sure I will have a lot more questions.

Brian,
Since you have received conflicting information I suggest you check the source http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=1b98cc0e8b19a110VgnVCM1000003f16f90aRCRD

Any guess in KM from CT to Siena?

BEWARE: The English translation from the Trenitalia site is incorrect, as far as concerns the validity period of tickets for "regionale" train trip exceeding 200 kilometers:

Here is the Italian-language version from the Trenitalia site:

"La convalida e la durata
Di regola, la validità oraria del biglietto decorre dal momento della convalida mediante le macchinette obliteratrici di stazione. Il viaggio deve concludersi entro 24 ore dall’ora della convalida (in Trentino entro le ore 24.00 del giorno di emissione). Per percorrenze fino a 200 Km il viaggio deve essere terminato entro 6 ore dall’ora della convalida (in Lombardia entro 3 ore, per percorrenze fino a 50 Km).
I biglietti regionali acquistati e stampati via internet sono già convalidati con la data e l'ora di partenza richieste dal cliente e hanno una validità di quattro ore. Il viaggiatore che si trovi in treno allo scadere del termine di validità del biglietto può proseguire il viaggio già iniziato fino alla stazione di destinazione, senza effettuare fermate intermedie."

NOTWITHSTANDING the above rules (in Italian), I can tell you as a matter of fact that tickets for regionale trains for trips EXCEEDING 200 kilometers ALSO have a validity of SIX HOURS (NOT 24-hours).

The "24-hour rule" for trips exceeding 200 kms. is a thing of the past. It owes its genesis to paper tickets for INTERCITY trains WITHOUT a seat reservation (for trips exceeding 200 kilometers). Today, all INTERCITY and other fast trains have automatic seat reservations (which means that you CANNOT break your journey, as you can on regionale trains).

In other words, the validity of MOST regionale train paper (NOT electronic) tickets is SIX HOURS.

The validity of ELECTRONIC tickets for regionale trains is FOUR HOURS (but there is absolutely no good reason to buy them in advance via the net).

Your paper ticket will state its validity on its face: SIX HOURS (in most cases).

Now, is that crystal clear????

94 km by car, less by train but certainly more than 50, and less than 200.

Crystal clear!!! I really didn't want to go to Pisa anyway!

I think you'll be fine if you get back on a train in Pisa within around 5 hours of validating your ticket in the CT.

However, if you just don't want to worry about the clock in Pisa then just buy two tickets for your trip rather than travel on one.

CT to Pisa, buy a ticket Pisa to Siena on arrival at Pisa. Validate that ticket when you depart Pisa for Siena. It looks like it would cost you around 1.80 euro more per person for the 2nd class tickets this way.

Just kidding. We will be fine. Thanks for all the research. I am going for 3 weeks so there will be a lot more issues I am sure.