ITALY TRAIN TRAVEL FOR 1ST TIMERS | How to Take Trains in Italy (Step by Step!)

[@acmejia]

Best video ever on the Italian train system! I’ve watched several but this is by far the most detailed. Thank you!

[@HappytoWander]

Hey everyone! I hope you enjoy this week's video - a detailed guide to train travel in Italy. Let me know if you have any more questions and be sure to check out the written version here for more tips: happytowander.com/how-to-take-trains-in-italy/

[@N.g._]

This is the most perfect guide that could be for Italian trains!

[@_-bd-_]

What a thorough, great video on the trains there.. thank you

[@HappytoWander]

you're welcome! thanks for watching :)

[@bi5048]

Coming to Italy in December and watched many vidoes About Italy. I am truly glad your video appears in my feed. So comprehensive and detailed video, I saved it to watch it again later. Love your work!!!❤❤ Thank you so much!

[@virtuabutch]

what a thorough and informative video, thank you!

[@pme9912]

Perfect timing - heading to Italy next week!

[@HappytoWander]

Awesome - I hope this video comes in handy!! Safe travels

[@brettallenthomas]

Super helpful... going this Saturday, and it all seemed a bit confusing.. this really helped clear things up...

[@dzormeir1325]

So thorough! Thanks for all the great details.

[@mhtammi]

Great video was in Italy in May and booked first class on Frecciarossa from Florence to Venice. I had a seat on a row with only one seat on each side of the aisle. My husband was across 😅 aisle and we both had windows and they were huge. It was a scenic trip. And we even had a small meal. Also we were able to use the seniors discount. The local trains were not quite as comfortable and the cars were very busy. Also, there were so many travellers who had large rolling luggage which made it more difficult to get in and out of your seat. I travel with a backpack so I was fine but so many people were struggling. Also the trains didn’t run in time but there was a strike planned for the following day so that may have had something to do with it. Apparently train strikes occur a few times in the year so make sure you avoid that😔

[@alexandrapham1892]

The best videos, very informative. We're planning to travel to Italy next year, thanks

[@nomadiccarro]

I love your channel. Such great information that is detailed.and insightful.

[@johnbeckmeyer1696]

Amazingly thorough! I'm bookmarking this one!

[@cherylguthrie9226]

Great video - so informative & helpful. Thank you so much! I hope I get to use it sooner rather than later 💕💕

[@HappytoWander]

thanks so much for watching!! I hope you get to Italy soon

[@Susanneshares]

Another fantastic and informative video. Thank you for sharing.

[@HappytoWander]

you're welcome! thanks so much for watching :)

[@DeanRamser]

Buongiorno! Thank you for the video. We loved taking the train from Lviv to Krakow to Warsaw to Gdansk during our time there. We are retired American educators now considering moving to Italy with the ERV. We hope to visit Italy in the spring. Grazie! Dean & Cindy

[@MikaBettanin]

"Buongiorno"

[@louisedasilva6046]

Thank you so much for all the useful information. 😊

[@HappytoWander]

You're very welcome! thanks for watching :)

[@wildearthfarm4632]

Fantastic job with a very complicated subject! I'm booked on the overnight train from Rome to Palermo...very exciting! This was a great help. Thanks for sharing!

[@cindymarasligiller2115]

This is a great comprehensive video! Thank you. Last October we were able to purchase a ticket onboard a regional train from the controller going from Milano Centrale to Varenna (Lake Como). We were planning on taking a later train, however the earlier train to Varenna happened to be on the adjacent track. It only cost a few extra euros.

[@suzannebell51]

Very helpful advice - thanks!

[@HappytoWander]

you're very welcome! thanks for watching and commenting :)

[@rachellegonzales8118]

Very Helpful Guide. Thanks Cristina❤

[@1ginarossi]

That was SOOO helpful! Thank you very much.

[@IvanFR15]

Great video, thanks!

[@joeylam1502]

"Get snacks" confirms this is a thorough guide

[@LP-ho9ty]

This is a superb work!

[@Eddieszisland]

Beautiful

[@treeofwisdomoracle7863]

Thank you❤

[@kimr4402]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

[@janellimarie]

Great info! Thank you!

[@PattiRobertson-to5re]

Awesome

[@1walter2808]

Specific question... What page did you get the non Italian cartafreccia sign up information? You weren't joking when you said it was hard to find. Great and informative clip, thank you!

[@eprohoda]

What'up. Happy, you created epic travel~ see you soon. =)

[@nicolettastrada5976]

Trenord e Ferrovie del sud est are simply regional depending from the regione you are in

[@HappytoWander]

Yes you’re totally right! The distinction I meant to make though was that they have their own websites and sometimes are treated a bit differently to other Trenitalia trains since they weren’t always part of Trenitalia. I learned this the hard way when I couldn’t find the platform for my Ferrovie del Sud Est train in Bari and found out all those trains leave from their own special platform at the end of the station haha. That’s why I wanted to warn people just in case! :)

[@joshuarey10]

I always appreciate content like this. Very informative and useful for our trip to Italy. Thank you!! Question - In the video, you mentioned several times about tickets for regional trains need to be validated at the station. How about tickets for high speed trains (Trenitalia and Italo) when purchased online? Do we still need to validate tickets for high speed train when purchased online?

[@scottbainbridge43]

My ticket says that they are already validated so check your ticket details

[@darioa.5381]

You must validate (aka time-stamp) tickets without a seat reservation. These tickets can be freely changed or freely used on a later train if you change your plans: by printing date&time on it, you are basically "closing" an open ticket. On high speed and IC trains you always have an assigned seat and a car #. In other words, such tickets are train-specific (whereas Regional tickets are route-specific) and time-stamping them would be pointless.

[@windsongdesigns6655]

Hi, great video. I'm going to Italy in March for 6 weeks. I will be taking the train everywhere so your video will help me immensely. Did you happen to visit Sicily at all? If so, any suggestions for places to visit or ways to travel?

[@ZemdegsD]

Thanks. Very well explained. How early can you book fast/regional trains online please?

[@Catavlogs_Site]

Hello, We absolutely love your vlogs , would you mind if I added your channel to catavlogs?

[@darioa.5381]

1) From September 21, 2024 Regional trains e-tickets will be automatically validated (i.e. You can't change your mind anymore and take another Regionale) at the departure time of the picked train. In short: regional trains tickets purchased on the official Trenitalia site/app can be changed as many times as one wants but only BEFORE the SCHEDULED departure time. Once your Regionale has left, the "change" button on your e-ticket will be grayed out 2) you'd better explain why Regional trains tickets must be validated (hint: Those tickets are open and validating means time-stamping).

[@AndyGlavac]

A most excellent video Planning Italy train trip for April 2025 Any advice starting in Rome ending in Treste and going to the Adriatic coast

[@markwong7922]

Nice video. Best one have seen so far. Question did not see mentioned. If handicapped in wheel chair or have mobile scooter they have space to park on train? Do they have ramp readily available to use or need someone from train company to assist? Thx

[@morenitaD_real]

Hello! Do I need to validate a ticket that has an specific date, time and seat number for Italo or Trenitalia? My family is traveling to Italia in a few weeks. 😊 Thanks!!!

[@darioa.5381]

No, time-stamping a train-specific ticket would be pointless. It's not an open ticket, you couldn't re-use it on a later train if you wanted to cheat the system.

[@pamelakay6403]

Very helpful video. Thank you! I have one question. You mentioned entering the total amount of people you are buying tickets for into the app search. So if I buy four tickets on the Trenitalia app- when I go to check in on the app for that train trip- do I have to check in four times or just once?(since I purchased four passenger tickets in one purchase)

[@marfranc726]

11:17-19 where exactly is that place? Maybe somewhere in the Dolomites? I would like to know the precise location, please. It looks beautiful

[@marfranc726]

Is there a discount for kids? We bought train tickets in Switzerland and our kids traveled free with each paying adult (1 kid per adult)

[@vendakansya6382]

hello may I ask, so I bought my italian train ticket from omio, so how do I validate it? should I print the ticket from home? or ?

[@HappytoWander]

You can validate it within the Omio app! Here is an excerpt from their FAQ (help.omio.com/hc/en-us/articles/360019305933-Trenitalia): "All Trenitalia tickets can be displayed on a mobile device for inspection and, therefore, do not need to be printed. If you are travelling on a regional train (Regionale), you need to check in before travelling. Check-in is available from the moment of purchase until the train's scheduled departure time. You can complete the check-in process via Your Bookings or in the Omio app. Simply click the button ‘Start check-in and view ticket(s)’ either in the confirmation email or via the app. Clicking this button will take you to a new screen detailing your journey information. Please scroll to the bottom of this page and click the button ‘Check-in’. You will then need to click ‘Next’, and you will see the message ‘Check-in complete. Have a pleasant journey!’. You’re now checked in!" Hope that helps :)

[@vendakansya6382]

@@HappytoWander thank you so much 👍🏻🙏🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

[@danielsantoso5866]

Great video as always Christina. I want to book using Trainline as I cant download the Trenitalia app from Australia. But I’ve heard reviews that people encounter issues using Trainline such as receiving incorrect tickets, issues making changes or refunding where travel delays require changes. Do you have any previous problems using Trainline?

[@julieloucks8623]

Great video. Thank you so much. I'm hoping to go in September 2025. Visiting 5 places. Im not sure if i should book the high speed train from home in Canada 🇨🇦 before we go or just buy the tickets when we get there.

[@denise3587]

The high speed trains for sure you should book ahead

[@jmcqueen7355]

I've been trying for ages to simply see the train routes - with individual stops - for destinations out of Rome through Lazio, Umbria, and Tuscany. I'm looking for places to stay along a train route and so far, have to put each destination in individually. Do you have any ideas?

[@kazzuo32]

I downloaded the app of trenitalia and buy some tickets through the app? Is this ok? For freciia rosa, do I have to validate those electronic tickets or is only the regional?

[@FHdez-qp2pq]

Hi, very good video. Question: I finished buying train tickets online for my wife and I, but only got 1 QR code for both. Is this normal? Or will I be getting actual tickets after the check in? Thank you.

[@darioa.5381]

Assuming you used the official site/app to buy a Regional train ticket: to "Check-in" means telling trenitalia that you are not going to change your ticket and take another Regionale train. In short, You are "closing" an "open" ticket. The QR code is your authority to travel.

[@FHdez-qp2pq]

@darioa.5381 Thank you.

[@nursejen1111]

How far in advance should I book high speed train business class? Leaving for Italy sept 28th

[@HappytoWander]

If you're hoping to get the best possible deal, I would say to book as soon as you know your travel plans! For high speed trains, usually tickets are released months in advance and the cheapest fare types are limited in number, so depending on your travel date/route, it's possible the cheapest tickets will sell out even months before you go. Luckily, end of September won't be as busy as the peak summer season, so if you need more time to decide, then I think you should be okay for now. I just had a quick look at Rome to Florence for end of September and there's still Super Economy tickets left for Business :) Assuming you're booking a popular route, odds are the tickets will not sell out completely on every single train, so if you need more time to decide, you'll always have options... they might just not be as cheap as you could have gotten them if you booked earlier! Hope that helps, and safe travels

[@nursejen1111]

@@HappytoWander thank you! Landing in milan then lake como for 3 nights then train to florence 3 nights then train to Rome for last 3 nights. I will let my travel agent know.

[@FashionBeauty13]

Hello! Do you have to pay for the CartaFreccia Program? Does the Carnet ticket packs have also a Youth discount as well as the CartaFreccia discount? Thank you😊

[@N.g._]

One question, for a trennatalia ticket bought from omio, how do i chcek in?

[@Maptrips]

Train or cruise??

[@elkieingels]

what about trainpal app?

[@arpinekhrlopyan-xi5ti]

Can you please clarify if Milan to Lake Como train journey is regional or not? Do I need to purchase way ahead of time? Also, is it suggested to purchase Lake Como ferry tickets ahead of time. I will travel in a month.

[@Divan26]

It is regional so you don't have to book ahead as the seats are not assigned and the prices fixed. The train will probably be operated by Trenord which is under Trenitalia. As for the ferry I don't know.

[@darioa.5381]

The above answer is incomplete. The Milan-Como line is served by both Regionale and EC trains (that call at Como San Giovanni station and go to Switzerland). EC trains in Italy have only reserved seats and dynamic pricing. No ticket needs to be purchased way ahead. Even on high speed and EC trains, seats rarely sell out, if ever. Discounted tickets are capacity controlled and will sell out before the departure, not seats.

[@rudolphvalentinoconnection8298]

So nervous, going alone...what to do if I have use the WC and how I can drag it to the bathroom with me?

[@GeorgeSickinger]

You have to be pretty dim to have problems with Italian train travel

[@Nada-qe7mj]

Question: First, I admire the detailed clear description you provided. Excellent job. Second: I am a senior and it will be my first time travelling to Italy in October along with my husband who has a mobility issue and walks very slowly using the walker. Our agent here in Canada booked us first class train tickets to commute between Rome, Florence and Venice. I am terrified that I might miss our trains by the time I understand all the signage in stations and drag my husband to our carriage. I heard also that train platforms might suddenly change in Italy which scares me as my husband cannot speed up. What advice do you give me other than arriving to station an hour before departure? thanks

[@alexconde8514]

Fantastic video thanks!

[@maureenmaccabe2661]

Thank you for all the information!