Please help this first time traveler to Italy. What is the difference between ticketless via email or ticketless receipt on board? Do I need to vaildate or get something stamped prior to boarding if I purchase either of these? It's a simple trip from Rome to Florence. Thank you.
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
It's probably a moot point to answer this, because odds are you will not be able to buy tickets online using a USA credit card, Here is what the Trenitalia site says about buying tickets online and using the ticketless process.
The online option (according to Trenitalia) goes like this.... On this site every day you can buy tickets for IC, ES* City, ES* and AV (not with the ticketless procedure) services; you can pay by credit card and directly board the train if you choose the ticketless procedure... or you can pick them up at an automatic self-service machine at the station by using the Booking Code (PNR) given to you by the system. You can also buy tickets and travelcards valid only for regional trains with the possibility of printing them directly with your computer.
This Ticketless option... lets you board the trains directly and can be bought using your credit card from this site. Printed tickets are not issued. You can choose whether to obtain a payment receipt by email or to have it printed when on the train. When on board,you must correctly communicate the PNR code orally to allow the on-board personnel to issue the payment receipt, or to confirm your presence on board if you have already obtained the payment receipt by email.
Here's the link for Trenitalia on their ticketless options, CLICK HERE
Because you're only going from Rome to Florence, you're probably better off buying the tickets once you are here. You can save 15% on a promo ticket if you buy early enough... but again, you must get your credit card to work. Good Luck!