I’m pretty excited to be sharing this with you. It will be beneficial when planning a trip to Italy and using their train system. It will also save you lots of $$ in costs, including fines, and give you peace of mind! Now don’t we all want that when we’re traveling (:

So let’s get right to it. Here are my Top 5 tips…

1. Know the Websites

The main train system in Italy is ran by Trenitalia and can be found here: www.trenitalia.com

With this website you can book local and regional trains all throughout Italy.

<<Side Note>> Get familiar with the actual italian names of cities in Italy because you’ll need to know these when booking tickets. Some examples are: Rome=Roma; Florence=Firenze; Venice=Venezia

For a faster train, with less connections, check out Italo: www.italotreno.it 

However, these trains only run through major cities within Italy about four times a day.

There are other websites, such as RailEurope , where you can book italian trains. This website is great when traveling Europe and going into or outside Italy from other countries.

Want to know when to get the best deals? Well, let’s continue to the next tip…

2. Know When to Book

First of all, Italian train schedules aren’t available until an estimated 3 months before your desired travel date. I know, not that far advance for us planner people. But if you want the best deals you better stalk the schedule release like a hawk. Seriously, it will be worth it!

Last minute planner? Well, you might swing a deal if it’s not high tourist season, but, more than likely you’ll just have to pay for it.

To give an example: A ticket from Venice to Rome (right at release) could be about 28 euro per person one way; A last minute ticket (aka a full-price ticket) is around 89 euro per person one way.  Now that’s a whole lot less food and wine money! (And the food is so yummy)

Maybe you’re taking the whole family and you’re thinking, ‘Per person! Aren’t there children rates or something?’

Well, yes there are. Let’s continue to the third tip…

3. Know the Rates/Specials

If your child is under two years old, he/she will ride for free! (Yayy, we all like that word :P)

Italy also has family rates, meaning if you’re traveling with 2-5 people and someone is 15 years or younger then they might get a free ticket or half off. These rates are limited so book in advance.

There are also 2 for 1 deals, but only on Saturdays, and weekend rates leaving Saturday and coming back on Sunday.

For more information go here

4. Validation

Some tickets require validation before you board the train. Italy has machines that look like this posted up around their train stations.

These tickets are open tickets (meaning they are available for use within a 3 month timeframe and don’t have a specific travel date on them). Trains that usually have open tickets are local trains. For example, the train running from Pisa to Florence (or vice versa) is considered a local train, leaving every hour, so this ticket would need validation to avoid a fine! Fines could start at 50 euro, so make sure you validate before you board the train.

5. Take Precautions

Italy has pickpockets. They could be anywhere, especially at train stations or on trains. So be fully aware of your belongings. Keep things out of your pockets, carry backpacks on your chest, and don’t leave your stuff unattended.

I hope these tips help you! Enjoy your time in Italy (: