I will be traveling in northern Italy next month. Once my pass is validated do I need to check-in at each station or just board the train and show the conductor my Eurail pass once I am onboard?
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
It depends on which trains you use. The Eurail website gives guidance on the trains where you will have to pay a supplement and/or reservation charge. You must buy them before you board or face a very heavy fine. In fact there are some trains on which you cannot travel without a reserved seat.
Posted by
Ottawa, Ontario,, Canada
521 posts
Hi Douglas,
Have you purchased your pass yet? Some people have said that in Italy, a pass is more expensive than point-to-point tickets so it may be worth pricing out the individual trips first.
As Linda has correctly pointed out, it depends which train you are boarding. If you are getting on a Eurostar Italia (it will show on the schedule as "ES") then reservations are mandatory.
For where reservations in Italy are mandatory, take a look on this page and scroll down to where it says "Reservation Fees in Italy".
Posted by
OP
Comfort, Maryland, USA
7 posts
Thanks for the information. I have already purchased my eurail pass. We will be taking the train from Milan up to the Lake Como area (about 1 hour away). We will also be taking the train from the Lakes region, back through Milan and out to Genoa (also about an hour away).
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
You will find that P2P tickets are less expensive in Italy than a single-country Eurail pass. For the Eurostar-class trains, you will pay an additional supplemental fee of 15E-20E. Don't jump on these trains expecting to show your pass. As mentioned above, big fine (50Euro) payable to the conductor. You have to go to the ticket window or electronic ticket machine. I believe that you can hop on the regional and IC trains without penalty.