Saving time at train stations transferring to another train

Carol, I am not sure what you mean in distinguishing between "paper" tickets that you already have and "regular" tickets you need for your day of travel. But assuming what you have is a paper confirmation that needs to be exchanged for a ticket, you can do this in Siena and get the individual tickets for each leg of the journey there. Only the tickets for the Regional trains (like the one from La Spezia) require stamping. IC trains have reserved seats on a particular train and no need to stamp the ticket. With your tickets in hand at the start of the journey, all you need to do to change trains is move to the exit door as the train appraches the station, jump off and look for the board showing the track for your next train (it may be on your ticket too but check to make sure it hasn't changed), and follow the crowd to the next track/platform. This may require going in a passageway under the tracks, and the ramps leading up to the various platforms from there will be labeled. If you next train is a Regional train that needs a stamp on the ticket, watch for the yellow stamping machines as you move between platforms. (Have the ticket in your hand as you get off the train so you don't forget.)

OMG- thank you so much! This clarifies it ...I just didn't know the drill at all and have to be at the CT before a certain time...have one more question to post but thanks again!

To keep this simple. IF you have a ticket that specifics a day,time,car number and seat number THEN it does not have to be validated because it is only good for that day and time. Only tickets on regional trains need to be validated.