Hi , we will be in Milan /CT /Venice the end of the month. We already bought our train tickets from Milan to CT and from CT to Venice. My question is how do we know when we need to validate our train tickets? We validated our day passes in Venice before boarding the Vaporetto when we see a box but I think the train stations would be a lot bigger and more confusing . Thanks.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
I doubt you're doing such long journeys on regional trains, regional trains tickets bought in Italy are the only ones that must be validated.
You don't validate any kind of train tickets purchased on line.
If you had to, you'd punch the ticket in a small machine near the tracks, before gettin' on.
Posted by
OP
san Francisco
735 posts
Thanks darioalb. We bought our tickets online and were already assigned seat numbers so we don't need to validate it anymore.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23310 posts
Keep in mind that those tickets are for a specific train, time, day and if you miss the train the tickets are no good and cannot be exchange for new tickets. Also, the validation boxes are easy to find if you need them. Will be near the head of the platform or in the underground passage ways. The boxes are yellow, blue, green. Just watch for the locals validating their tickets.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32219 posts
sally,
If you've bought all your tickets online, you won't have to worry about validating. I'm assuming you printed your tickets out on normal letter size paper? If so, they won't fit into the validating machines anyway.
You didn't specify which trains you would be using from Milan to the Cinque Terre or from CT to Venice. The trains where you have assigned car and seat numbers don't need validating, since the ticket is specific to train, date and departure time and can only be used on the one train listed on the ticket.
On the trip from the CT to Venice, it's likely that you'll be using a combination of fast trains and Regionale (although that could depend on whether you're going through Milan or Venice). Locally purchased tickets for Regionale trains are the only ones that need validating, but that's not necessary with tickets purchased online as they come "pre-validated". Note that tickets for Bus and Metro also need to be validated (should be travelling in an area that has those).
Just to clarify the situation with validating tickets in Venice, the system there is a bit different as it uses an electronic system, rather than one where the ticket is inserted into the machine and time/date stamped. When you place your card against the Reader, if you get a "beep" and a green light, then you're good to go.