trenitalia web site

Many people are starting to report that their MasterCard and Visa credit cards are working now on the Trenitalia website. Unfortunately, currently the Trenitalia site only accepts Italian AMEX cards, so using an AMEX card is probably not an option for you. You might look at this article, Booking on the Trenitalia Website , for guidance on how to use their website. The primary advantage of booking in advance is to get a discounted ticket like the MINI, their current promo. If you cannot get your credit cards to work, then the kiosks in Italian train stations are very easy to use. You may still be able to get a MINI discount if you purchase your tickets before midnight of the day you are traveling.

Thank you Ron. I am hoping to get a mini discount.

We did this last year and booked and paid online. We then took the reservation paper to the ticket office and picked up the tickets. We would have used the kiosks, but time was tight and too often American credit cards won't work in their machines because we don't use the chip & pin cards.

The newer kiosks should accept almost all credit cards, regardless if they have a "chip." I have American, Italian, and Danish credit cards which I have used often in these kiosks. Only the Danish card has a chip. You also only need your PNR code now if you buy your tickets online; a paper ticket is not required on the non-regionale trains when you have purchased in advance online. Many Italians save the info their smartphone and simply hold up their phone when the conductor comes through the cars. IF you want a paper ticket, and you want to avoid the lines at the ticket counters, then you can print out your ticket at a kiosk using your PNR code and the Surname you entered when buying the ticket online.