Quick question, I bought my tickets from Milan Central to Milan express (to mxp) & forgot to print them. I can download the pdf but trong to figure out if I have to validate them & how to validate if needed. Thank you. We leave Italy in 2 days :( so any info is great Katie
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
You do not need to validate e-tickets. They already have a time and date on them.
The purpose of validation is to put a time and date on the ticket to stop you using them twice, for e-tickets, and any tickets which are only valid on one train, they already have a time and date (whatever you specified when you bought them), so no extra validation is necessary.
Validating PDF tickets would be silly. It wouldn't stop you re-using them as you can print out as many copies as you like.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
And they won't fit in the validating machine.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23653 posts
For Regionale trains purchased on line that ticket only has a four hour window when it is valid. You cannot use the ticket before or after that time period. When you purchase a Regionale ticket locally at a machine or window it has the same four hour window BUT the time doesn't start until you validate (time stamp) the ticket at the station. For others, it is general recommended that you only purchase Regionale ticket at a machine, ticket office or local travel agency.
Posted by
Seattle
9 posts
Further question to Frank's response of "4hour window". Is the ticket valid before (earlier) than the printed time?
Thanks,
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34267 posts
It starts at the printed time and is valid for the following four hours. It is not valid for any time prior to the printed time.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I have sometimes used a regionale ticket (printed at home) an hour or so before the validated "start" time, never had a problem.
Posted by
Chicago
2124 posts
And they won't fit in the validating machine.
Don't laugh. Guilty as charged. SMN Florence station, March 2015. Tried every which way until my brain stem kicked in and realized I didn't have to do it.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Jay, I am so used to validating tickets in Italy that I tried finding a validation machine in Belgium once - gave the railroad guys a good chuckle.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23653 posts
Zoe, you may have used it before the start time BUT it is only a valid ticket during the time period. If you get on any hour early you do not have a valid ticket and if checked in that hour the conductor could levy a fine if so inclined. The point is -- it is only validate during the window.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16710 posts
Don't laugh. Guilty as charged.
Your partner in crime here, Jay. Did the same in 2007 (Rome).
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I should have included that the conductor on the train checked the ticket, punched or scanned it and moved on. Probably would not have worked out so well if it were several hours outside the window.
Posted by
Freedonia
16564 posts
Sorry, I have done it. If you print out an eticket, and fold it just right, it will fit in the validation box. I did it.