RailDude

Larry, NO, I haven't purchased from "Rail Dude", and it's not likely I ever will. The name doesn't inspire a lot of confidence, at least for me. Cheers!

Stick with Trenitalia. Register on their website and your purchases will go smoothly. We buy super economy tickets that are really dirt cheap for most of our travels in Italy. Check out Raildude on tripadviser.com, Italy forum. I just did and could not fine any reference to Raildude. If it's too good to be true.......

Larry, I can say I've never used the site personally, and I would be highly suspect of any site with a name like that. Remember the old adage, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That's just my skeptical, cynical self coming through though. The site may be perfectly fine - but I would try and find someone who has experience with them first before I booked. Check twice so you only have to buy once.

I just looked up Rome to Venice SL on Trenitalia and on RailDude. Same train. Trenitalia wanted 80€ or $106 for full fare. RailDude wanted $119. Where did you find them to be "quite a bit less"

Trenitalia will sell me a ticket on 28 Nov at 10:00 for €39 in either Standard or Premium; €49 if I want to be in Business or Business silent area. Raildude wanted $62US and $76US for the same seats. €39 today is about $51.85US, €49 is about $65.15US. So how is paying $11 or $12 more for a ticket such a great deal?

There's no mention of "Raildude" on the Man in Seat 61. I trust that website and wouldn't buy anything through Raildude. I've gotten great prices on Trenitalia by buying advance tickets.

I would not by a discounted ticket from an outfit called "Rail Dude". That would sound to me like buying a lottery ticket from a Nigerian website called "Ponzi Dude".