Using train ticket at station, day of travel.

You can buy regional train tickets up to about 10 minutes before you board. They cannot sell out. They cost the same to buy them at the last minute as buying them months in advance.

If you buy a paper ticket at the station or from a ticket machine (not for a specific time) you MUST validate the ticket in a machine at the station! If not, you risk a steep fine for riding the train without a validated ticket.

You can also buy tickets on line or on your phone (try the Trenit app for Trenitalia trains) for specific trains - and those tickets must be used within four hours of departure of the train you chose. But online tickets (for specific trains) don't require validation - they would be scanned by a conductor on board if you even see one.

Yes, simply buy them at the station on the day of travel.

Thanks!

I will get my first experience with trains and “validating”a ticket tomorrow when I land at FCO and take the train to Termini.

The nice thing about buying with your phone is that you can still buy them NEAR the last minute. Say you wake up at 7am and decide you want to catch the 9:30 train - and you're certain you'll have enough time. Then you can buy it on your phone. This saves the hassle of having to wait in line for an agent at the station or buy at a ticket machine (sometimes there are lines even at the machines). The machines probably don't accept US chip and signature credit cards (mine did not work - but my chip and PIN card did). Taking Italian trains back in May for a few days, I did it both ways (with my phone, sometimes from the machines).

I am always amazed at how clueless most Americans are when it comes to transportation systems in Europe. We are too conditioned from flying. Except for few premium trains or discounted advance purchase tickets, riding the trains in Europe is more like taking the local bus at home. Trains are big, and for the most part don't "sell out". Just buy your ticket and get on.

But don't show up 10 or 15 minutes before departure time and plan to buy the ticket from a staffed counter. You may run into a line and end up behind people with very complex transactions.

Most (if not all) of the trains from Rome to Assisi will be Regionale or Regionale Veloci, so there will be absolutely no price difference whether you buy tickets online or buy from a Kiosk or staffed ticket window at the station. Regionale tickets purchased online will be pre-validated so you won't have to validate, but trips must be started within four hours of the departure time listed on the ticket.

I find it just as easy to buy Regionale tickets locally, usually from a Kiosk. However, as someone else mentioned don't buy tickets ten minutes before your train departure, as there may be a queue at the Kiosk, or the Kiosk may be broken. I often buy Regionale tickets the day prior to travel so that I don't have to deal with that when I'm heading for the train. Don't forget to validate!

If you want to buy advance tickets for any trains in Italy, either Trenitalia or Italo, I'd recommend using https://www.trainline.eu/ as it's very user friendly once you're registered on the site, and they have a smartphone app.

Thank you for the helpful replies. Sitting here at LGW, I have used the trainline.eu app to book a ticket from FCO to Termini. If that goes without a hitch, them I will use it for booking my other trains within Italy.

Sorted. :-)

I just signed up on the trainline site, but, it says Regionale tickets must be printed. How do I do that if I am not home?

trainline site, but, it says Regionale tickets must be printed

That's the problem with re-sellers, this time you'd better use the app/mobile site of the company that runs the trains. Trenitalia.com sells only e-tickets that do not need to be printed and stamped. Conductors can scan the qr code from an electronic display.

Note that many tobacconists can sell Regionale tickets in advance, just like Trenitalia's counters all over Italy but without the queues. Same for travel agencies displaying Trenitalia's logo on the window, but ask if they add a fee. Tickets locally purchased must be time-stamped, this includes also tobacconists and travel agencies.

So today, for the TrenItalia ticket (Leonardo Express) that I purchased through Trainline this morning, the QR code on my phone was scanned THREE times: entry to platform at FCO, by the conductor on the train, and to exit the platform at Termini.

This evening I purchased a ticket to Assisi for tomorrow from the kiosk at Termini. No hiccups, but ample warnings to be sure to validate the ticket before boarding !

AAARGH!

Just realized that the thread title is “using” rather than “buying”. Ugh.

I have a love/hate relationship with my iPad and autocorrect .... but it sure is easier to travel with than is a laptop!

Sorry ‘bout that!

Easiest way to buy Regionale tickets is using the vending machines at the stations. Just watch how someone else does it, and it is simple.
Select English from the menu.
Select departure station
Select arrival station
Confirm
Enter number of tickets, default is one.
Shove euro notes or your credit card into the machine.
Take your ticket, and validate it before getting onto the train. You will see others validating tickets, just follow their example.

If you are from the US, don't expect your chip and signature credit card to work in the Trenitalia ticket machines - mine didn't, even though the same card worked everywhere else in Italy. My chip and PIN card worked fine at the ticket machines, though. For some people, it might be easier to use the Trenit app on their phone: your credit card (or Paypal) should work in the app, and you don't have to worry about lines at the train station (sometimes there are short lines even at the ticket machines).

I have never bought train tickets in advance. Always buy them in Italy. Never a problem, never sold out. I do travel "shoulder season" however. Don't know if sell outs happen during peak season. If you miss your train, another one will be along in short order. Train travel in Italy is inexpensive, trains are frequent. It is the least thing you should worry about on your trip.

Thanks all.

My chip/ signature card worked just fine in the kiosk at Rome Termini two days ago. Bigger issue was that the validation stamp was almost invisible, and the conductor on the Train to Foligno tried to call me on it ( sorted .. no worries)

Bought a ticket today at the station office at Assisino issues with Chase chip card, just had to sign on their e-tablet.

Turns out I prefer having a paper ticket rather than assuming the QR code will work ..... but I a, a Luddite.

Train ...Assisi ..... aaargh !!! autocorrect!

I obtained experience with all 3 options. Never know, one option may not be available. I liked the human interaction with the italian service people. Very sternly stating and drawing a map on the ticket that it must be validated!