We took a pad of 3X5" post-it notes with us to Italy. As we arrived at each station, we purchased tickets for our next trip before heading to our lodging. On a post-it note, I would prepare all the necessary info... i.e. Venice to Verona;Date; One way(andata); preferred time; seconda classe;due persone (2 persons) et al. It was easier for clerks than my accent and included all the necessary info.
Since we usually arrived outside of rush hour, the line was short. When we returned to head for our next location, we went right to thre yellow machines to validate outr tickets and on to our track eliminating a stop at the ticket window.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
George, a great lesson and validation for what many on this site say about buying train tickets in Italy. You did great. What many don't understand until they get to a ticket window is that many agents don't speak English. In fact, English may be a poor 3rd language after Italian, French or German. As you did, travelers should look carefully at the train websites to write down dates, times and train numbers that they want. The agents barely have to speak to you. Just show them the written information. Great stuff.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8057 posts
I also have printed out an itinerary from Trenitalia in the past so I have place names, Station, even the train number I want.
Posted by
Corsicana, Texas, USA
354 posts
To take your preparation one step further, you could even print out a portion of the Trenitalia timetable that brackets your desired train (shows one or two trains earlier, one or two later). This would list your alternate choices on the rare occasion that your desired train is full.
Posted by
California
74 posts
Hi George,
I have a question.
If tickets are purchase online or the day before my travels, must I validate my tickets at these yellow machines before I jump on the train?
Thank you
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
Along the lines of this tip is check the schedule carefully whenever you arrive at a train station to find departure times for your next leg (whether the same day or later). Writing it down is always a good idea.
It's good to know when you need to be back at the terminal and if there are earlier/later options for your trip depending on how things are going.
I generally travel second class without reservations but I also travel in shoulder season when there are fewer crowds.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Gil, if you are successful in buying your train tickets online from Trenitalia and selected the ticketless solution, you will have an email with an PNR number on it (reservation code). Conductors have wireless PDAs that can validate the ticket on the train. If you selected Self-Service, you need to go to a self-service machine, which are not in all stations, to print out your ticket. All other tickets should be validated at the little yellow machine although I understand that Eurostar tickets don't have to be validated. Still, I would, and have done it for my Eurostar tickets. It's up to a 50Euro instant onboard fine if any ticket has not been properly validated before boarding.
Posted by
SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX, USA
251 posts
We never had any trouble finding ticket machines. They let you choose your language and are easy to use.
I had printed out the schedules for the days we were traveling so I knew what our options were. We were trying to stay flexible so we didn't buy our tickets until the morning of--usually right before we got on the train. The printed schedules also helped me know I was choosing the correct train.