There are 3 train options when getting around in Italy. We have listed these companies here with a little information about all three of them, including their websites. At the end of this post, we have included a few tips we think you will find valuable on your next train trip to Italy. Please let us know if our tips help you, we always like to hear from you!
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Trenitalia
Trenitalia is the largest train company when in Italy. They have a website on which you can purchase tickets online. The website, http://www.trenitalia.com There are several ways to pay including PayPal! The site is very user-friendly and easy to understand screens.
Frecciarossa trains are the highspeed train options reaching a maximum speed of 300 km/h (roughly 187 miles/hour) and obviously offer fast connections at convenient and frequent times. Trenitalia does have regional options as well. You will find better options for travel times because they are the largest company. Remember to double-check your date and time before you purchase any tickets.
Always take a look at the specials offered. When we were in Italy the last time, they were having weekend specials if you purchased five days ahead of time. I believe it was half-priced if traveling on a weekend and purchased at least 5 days prior to departure.
UPDATE 2023: Please use this link to know the new update for traveling Trenitalia if you’ve purchased your tickets on their app or website. This information might save you a hefty fine. You now need to “check-in” on regional trains! We’ve updated one of our posts to reflect this information!
Italo Trento
Italo is a privately owned company and only offers high-speed trains between a few select Italian cities. Always check the different train companies before purchasing any tickets especially if you are traveling between major cities.
Be on the lookout for coupon or promo codes with this company by visiting their website. They often run specials to be competitive. Website, www.italotreno.it
Trenord
In the Lombardy region, the local company Trenord serves Milan with a local train line. Trenord connects a large number of towns in this region and also has service to the Malpensa Airport. Website, http://www.trenord.it
Can You Purchase on Train?
If the train station is small, there actually might not be a ticket counter. In this case, immediately when you board the train I would find the conductor and tell him you need to purchase your ticket. There will be a small additional fee for doing so but the consequences of waiting for the conductor to come to you is much greater. There is a large fine when caught traveling on a train without a ticket. You will more than likely have to pay the fare of the entire trip of the train route from where it started to its final destination. That could be very costly!
Things to Remember
- When purchasing any train tickets online, always write down or take a picture with your smartphone of the confirmation code. You may need this later to prove your purchase.
- Always book as far in advance as you can for the best available times and of course, prices!
- In larger cities, you can go to the counter and purchase your tickets from a real person. Don’t be afraid if you don’t think you speak the language well enough. Most employees at these counters know some English. You will be able to communicate exactly where you want to go.
- If you find that the station has ticket machines, don’t be afraid to try one. For the longest time, we avoided them because we thought they were difficult to use but on the contrary, they are quite easy. They give you clear options on times and costs. These machines accept credit cards and cash.
- When arriving at the train station, you must remember to validate your ticket. See our previous post on this at https://ouritalianjourney.com/5-useful-tips-your-trip-to-italy/
Our train stop in Montebello Vicentino did not have a place to buy train tickets or a ticket machine at the station. I asked the conductor about buying a ticket on the train, and she said as long as I find the conductor and tell them at the beginning of the trip, they will sell you a ticket at the same price as the ticket counter. If you wait until they come to you, they will assume that you are trying to cheat the system and depending on weather the conductor believes you or not you could get a fine. The same with validating your ticket, sometimes the ticket validators print so light that it is impossible to tell if you validated or not, if you have any doubts, or forgot to do it, again, find the conductor before they find you. They will write the time and sign it which is the same as the validation. Do wait for them to come to you, as this will get you a fine as well. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse 😉
Trenitalia has a website where you can sign up for a Trenitalia card, and subscribe and they send you emails with various offers etc. It is free and worth the time to do it.
Thank you so much for your insight and you are absolutely correct that being pro-active when in doubt will always pay off in the end. I’m definitely going to go onto the Trenitalia site and sign up for the card! Thank you for commenting!!
One thing I would add to the excellent “use the machines at the station” advice is that this is where you need to be a little extra vigilant if you are at a busy station in a larger city. Con artists/thieves do hang out there, looking for foreign visitors who might need “help”. The machines are easy, you can figure it out, so don’t let someone distract you, because they work in pairs. We’ve had to graciously yet firmly turn down offers of help. Please don’t let that keep you from using the machines, they really can save time.
You are spot on Rachel and thank you so much for the comment! This is very true and we all can become easy targets. Grazie Mille!!