What is the difference between a train that need a reservation and one that doesn't. Like the regionals does not. Do you just buy ticket at a window, and do you have to make a reservation on line or can you buy a reserved ticket at a window or machine? I know about validate everything!
Just got confused because my last travel I did reserve on line, but this time I want to just wait till I get to train stations. Thanks to all.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
Regional train tickets don't need a reservation. They are open seating with no reserved seats. If a seat is free you can use it, if not, you stand. All regional tickets must be validated unless bought online. Those bought online are for specific trains so don't need validation. All other trains will require a reservation which will tell you which date the travel is for, which time the train is and which seat you'll have. You can buy any ticket at the ticket window as long as there is room on the train. When you purchase those tickets they will come with a seat reservation if one is required. These train tickets don't need to be validated as they can only be used for a specific train, on a specific date at a specific time. They are like airline tickets, you can only use them on the plane you book, you can't just hop on any plane you want to.
Donna
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15820 posts
You can buy either one at a ticket window or machine. You may have to use cash in the machine if it won't accept your credit card.
You can also buy tickets online but it only make sense to do that to get a better price, when available, on advance, reserved-seat tickets on faster, more expensive trains. Always just buy tickets for shorter-journey, regionale trains at the station on the day of your travel or whenever it's convenient to do so.
You do NOT have to validate tickets for ANY train on which you have a seat assignment. Those will be for specific train numbers at specific times. Tickets for regionale train journeys from X-toX are good for trains making that journey anytime over the next two months, and have no assigned seats: just validate, get on and find an empty seat. For instance, you could buy a regionale ticket from Vernazza to Riomaggiore today for a trip tomorrow, next week or next month. Validating is what cancels them out for additional use.
Posted by
OP
California
107 posts
Thanks all clarified now. Appreciate it.