Tren Italia ticket validation at small stations?

OK ... further research says tickets bought online via app etc don't require validation, only tickets bought at the station.

Can anyone confirm this?

I just returned from staying 5 days in Bologna. We took day trips almost everyday. I bought my tickets on line on the app usually the day before for my outgoing trip and day of for my return. The day of - when you bring your ticket up on your phone there will be a check in selection. Tap the check in and your ticket will show validated. Are you taking a high speed train from Bari to Rome? When I took the high speed train from Milan Centrale to Bologna - the app popped up with a reminder to validate that I was on the train. I forgot to “check in” as we had a very close connection in Milan Centrale coming from Malpensa. Checking in/validating on my leg from Malpensa to Centrale did not check me in for my second leg to Bologna. The opposite happened starting with the high speed train from Bologna to Centrale - it also checked me in on my second leg from Centrale to Malpensa. Go figure. They apparently started this check in process at the end of September. The only time our tickets were checked was on the high speed trains. We were never checked on regional trains but obviously they can.

It varies by the type of ticket, if you get on a train, where on the app, or paper ticket, you have an assigned seat for a specific train (Number and time), then no need to validate. If you have essentially a regional ticket, no assigned seat, then you just hit the check-in button on the app (this is new this year). To my knowledge, there is no validation at the station for a ticket on the app (scanning QR code), obviously you need wi-fi or data coverage to "check-in", trains are supposed to have wi-fi. In your case, you will likely see the check-in button on your first leg, for the Bari-Rome leg, you likely have reserved seats, so no check-in or validation required.

We have tickets via the Tren Italia app that have the usual QR code, and there are what appear to be validation machines prior to the platform area.

If you mean you have a cellphone or tablet and purchased the ticket thru the Trenitalia app then the instructions for validating are at https://www.trenitalia.com/en/purchase/digital-regional-ticket.html

It's easy to do, and on board regionale trains they are constantly making audio announcements about validating your digital ticket prior to beginning your trip.

Only regionale tickets need to be validated this way. I'm guessing your Bari to Roma Termini leg has an assigned seat, and these don't need to be separately validated since they're only good for that particular train and seat unless changed in advance.

george,

The first segment from Monopoli to Bari will likely be via Regionale train so you won't have seat reservations, and can sit anywhere you can find a seat. The final segment to Rome will be via high speed Freccia train and for that one you will have an assigned Carrozza (coach no.) and Posti (seats). Note that the tickets for the Freccia train are specific to train, date and departure time, and can only be used for the one train listed on the ticket.

According to The Man In Seat 61, the rules for Regionale tickets changed in August 2023....

"Ticketing for regional trains
The old system of having to stamp your ticket in a validator machine is gone, as is the system of tickets being good for any train in a 4-hour time slot.
From 5 August 2023, tickets for regional trains bought online or in an app are only good for a specific train.
You can change the date & time of your train free of charge using the Trenitalia app or website, as many times as you like, up to 23:59 the day before departure. It's also refundable up to that time. On the day of travel, you can change the time of your train as many times as you like, free of charge.
Before boarding the train you must 'check in' online using the app or the website link provided, this validates the ticket for use on that train, your ticket is then considered used and no further changes can be made.
Remember you'll need internet access on your phone for this, if you can't rely on that, buy at the station at least 5 minutes before departure."

It is less than 24 hours now for the Monopoli-Bari Regionale train ... still no check in button on the ticket which is in "My Journeys", in the "Saved Tickets" section. The QR code shows, but no Check In button. 2nd classe/ordinaria, for a specific time 0616), and has a ten digit Ticket Code.

Bari-Roma on FrecciArgento, says 1st Classe/Special Frecce, has QR code, PNR and CP numbers with assigned seats.

Perhaps the check in pops up only day off the ticket, not 24 hrs in advance?

If there is a specific time shown, it should be a "prevalidated" ticket, especially as it is being used as a connection to a Freccia train with assigned seats. Easy solution would be for you to seek out the conductor when you board the first train and show him/her your ticket. This is probably not necessary, but for your peace of mind. This would be the procedure if you had a paper ticket that needed validating in a stamping machine, but the machine was broken.

We returned from Italy two weeks ago. As you said/asked, check in notification is the morning ((believe after midnight) of your journey NOT 24 hours in advance. Click on check in and you'll be verified. This was our experience.

It is less than 24 hours now for the Monopoli-Bari Regionale train ...
still no check in button on the ticket which is in "My Journeys", in
the "Saved Tickets" section.

George, as Susan said and the Trenitalia website states"

"Check-in is available starting at midnight on the day before your journey until the scheduled departure time of the train you selected upon purchase: the following message is displayed on the key: “Check-in and travel”

https://www.trenitalia.com/en/purchase/digital-regional-ticket.html

So if you're traveling tomorrow, check-in period starts at midnight tonight. It's my understanding that check-in (how regionale e-tickets are validated) is required even for regionale connections with reserved-seat Frecce trains but happy if someone knows for sure otherwise?

Well, continuing the discussion ...

It 0430 on day if travel - the tickets on the app look the same, have the same QR code, etc, but now have an added button that says, "Not Yet Departed."

No button for check in on either the Regionale or the FrecciArgento.

You will not have to "check in" for the Freccia Argento, you just take your assigned seats and enjoy the ride, showing your QR code to the conduct or when he/she stops by to check. Like I said, show your QR code to the conductor as you board the regional train at Monopli. They will be in uniform on the platform before the train departs.

Thanks, Sam.

Given the differences in the various inputs/experiences. I wanted to keep the flow of info going - perhaps others can benefit!

Thanks to All.

So, popped on an we were moving - train late a few, so making up time.

Conductress had a large screen pad that read via taking photo - I guess - versus a smaller scanner as I had seen previously.

No questions, way polite and no problems.

Then an announcement to make sure you check in for Regionale before departure. So … perhaps the new system is not yet fully implemented or perhaps since we bought these tickets in late August there is a lag effect on implementation.

We have 45 min in Bari so can grab a pastry and coffee before the Argento to Roma Termini. Then Leonardo to FCO - staying at HelloSky embedded hotel at FCO.

Bari to Roma Termini enroute!

Conductress checked tickets within two minutes of departure. No problems.

Argento 1st classe OK - Sunday so a few families - Italian families - lots of dialogue!

Have a good trip!

Train only about 15 late into Termini.

Grabbed two Leonardo tickets to FCO - picked one about 30 minutes out, but was so easy we walked n the one getting ready to depart.

Our Leonardo tickets were paper and must be validated at one of the machines. Just stick in and it stamps and returns it.

Not much to see at Termini so figured would wander around FCO if room isn’t ready. Have been into Fiumicino previously, but was a cab ride so we may skip that.

just a note for those reading the thread, if you have the Trenitalia app on your phone you can buy Leonardo tickets with the app. We did this twice last month to/from FCO

Good point, John!

Even easier than the biglietti machines, and they are easy.

BTW, we've used ApplePay almost exclusively this trip - had cards as a back-up, but ApplePay is sooo easy! Switzerland for three days and never did buy or use Suisse Francs (CHF) cash.