Last summer, when traveling in Italy, I was not aware that the high-speed, reservation-only tickets did not need to be validated, so I was validating everything - could doing that potentially cause a problem, or do problems only arise from not validating tickets that do need it?
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32330 posts
ln,
NOT validating tickets that require them (ie: Regionale trains) will definitely cause problems, and a hefty fine will probably be charged. Validating tickets for the trains which have compulsory reservations isn't necessary (since they're specific to only one train, date and departure time, and can't be used on any other train), but I've never seen any problems as a result of doing that.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
No. There is no harm in "validating" a ticket that does not need validation. It just puts a time stamp on it. In fact, when in doubt, better to be safe than sorry and just stamp it.
Posted by
OP
North Carolina
2480 posts
Thanks, y'all. My obsessive validating will probably continue if/when I'm fortunate enough to revisit Italy.
Posted by
Massachusetts
715 posts
I remember to validate my regional tickets 99% of the time. I failed to remember twice. Once, my ticket was never checked before I got to my destination and once I owned up to it as i handed my ticket over for checking. "I am sorry, I know I was suppose to, but in the rush to the train I forgot to validate." NO problem, he wrote on the ticket the time and signed it, no fine.
On the other hand I have found people pleading ignorance and/or arguing about how unfair it was and not getting anywhere.
The fine is suppose to be 50 euro i think, most of the time I have seen the charge only be 5 euro.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I mostly take high-speed trains and sometimes forget to validate for the regionale train, and have to backtrack to the validation box or find the conductor before he/she finds me. So I tend to validate any ticket that fits in the validation box.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23573 posts
I don't know how you were validate a paper ticket for a high speed train. It will not fit in a validation box unless you are folding it up. Obviously, since validation is not required, then validation that type of ticket causes no harm. Only a Regionale ticket purchased locally requires validation because it is an open ticket that can be used anytime within a 60 day period. Until you validate it (time stamp) it is not a valid ticket. However, if you purchase a Regionale ticket on-line or you have a Regionale leg on a ticket purchased on line, then that Regionale ticket comes pre-validated with a limited time window to use that ticket. That is the main reason you should not purchase Regionale tickets on-line.