We were unable to purchase train tickets in Italy from the U.S., using an American credit card, so our question is, will we be able to purchase train tickets using the machines in the Rome train station? Using U.S.credit card? cash? euros? or will we need to use an actual person to complete the purchase? Thanks for the help.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
251 posts
Yes, you can purchase tickets using the machines in the Rome train station and virtually any other train station as well. You can switch the language over to English and purchase with a credit card or Euros. If it's a Regional train, you can purchase minutes before and be fine, if it's an IC train and you're looking to reserve seats or a Eurostar, you may need to purchase a little in advance ('a little' being a matter of hours or a day or so, depending upon the time of the year) just to make sure you can secure a seat. But in short, yes, you can purchase over there, and you'll be fine. Many of the people working the major stations like Roma Termini also speak English, so you can seek their help if necessary or just buy from them.
Happy travels!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23297 posts
One small addition to Stuart's comments. The machines are easy to use, in English, and generally accept US credit cards. Last Fall in Termini there was a bank of machine that took only the European card, sign clearly said so, and no one was using them. Be sure to know the Italian spelling of the cities you are going to. While the directions may be in English, the Italian towns are in Italian.
The only time you will need to see a live person is IF you are taking a train out of Italy. You need to go to the International window for a ticket and they will want to see your passport.
Posted by
Shoreview, MN, usa
187 posts
We used the machines, but we also used the ticket windows when we had questions.
Both were very easy.
It's easiest to buy as you go and from what I understand, cheaper.
Posted by
Pittsfield, MA
89 posts
I printed the train schedules off the Trenitalia website before we left the States so that we would have an idea of travel times. Then, we used the ticket window and a live person to purchase the tickets. To make sure there was no communication snafu, I just pulled out my printed schedule and pointed to the train I wanted. Of course, I started by saying "buon giorno" and then "due biglietti." Never had a single glitch.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
use the automated machines. If you can use an ATM in the US, you can use these to buy train tickets in Italy.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
You'll find that not only are the machines easy, they are often much faster than waiting in line to buy from a human. Have a great time.
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
If you do not feel up to buying your tickets at a train station there is an alternative. You can use a Trenitalia approved travel agency to buy tickets at no extra cost, including any available offers. Look for the Trenitalia sticker in the window. The link below is a list of such agencies
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=29e23bf7c819a110VgnVCM1000003f16f90aRCRD
We have done this if there was an agency near our hotel.
Posted by
OP
Steubenville, Ohio, United States
2 posts
I wanted to thank everyone for all the help and information. It was the exact info I was trying to locate. Gratzie Mille!!!?
Posted by
austin, texas, us
48 posts
I too have tried to buy tickets/reservations from the US and have heard of problems having the tickets delivered on time so I am reluctant to plunk down that much money only to have our tickets not arrive. My question is this- is the first ticket (in our case from Milan to Florence the day after we land) a problem to get or should I book just the first journey in the US and then do the rest over in Italy?