Trains in Italy
Trains in Italy are an efficient, inexpensive and comfortable way to get around with rail connections to the main cities and most tourist spots. International connections with France run along the Nice-Ventimiglia-Genoa coastline and through the Frejus tunnel via Turin. From Switzerland the lines run through the Sempione Pass tunnel and from Chiasso into Milan.
When travelling you need to know the final destinations of your train as the platforms are labelled according to the end destination. Where a line separates check the train's destination to be sure you are on the right branch. "FS" in a name indicated it is a mainline railway station.
Train Classes in Italy
There are five classes of trains in Italy, each with varying levels of service and costs:
All trains used in international rail service are Eurocity (EC) trains. They are the most expensive and fastest of the Italian rail network with business, first and second classes available. They are air conditioned and offer bar and restaurant services. You must make a reservation to travel on the Eurostar.
The Intercity (IC) trains are fast, comfortable express trains for domestic and international travel. They are air conditioned with first and second class seating is available. Seats may be reserved, but a supplement will be charged.
Espresso - EXPR Trains
The Express (EXPR) trains usually carry both first and second class cars and generally stop in fewer stations than the local trains. Reservation is not necessary unless you are travelling during the peak holiday season. These trains are not of the same standard as the Eurocity or Intercity trains but they operate a regular and efficient service and are moderately priced.
Diretto (DIR) Trains
Diretto (DIR) trains stop at most stations and generally offer only second class seating, which is comfortable enough for short journeys. During peak travel times (08:00 - 09:30 am and 17:30 - 19:00 pm) these trains can be very crowded.
Locale Trains
Locale trains stop in every station and are often the only way to get to out of the way places. They are the slowest but most economical of Italy's trains.
Rail tickets can be purchased from authorized travel agents, station ticket offices or biglietteria automatic vending machines in the major stations which accept credit cards and cash. Tickets may also be purchased online at Trenitalia though this requires registration, and e-tickets are only available for Eurostar trains, Intercity and Intercity Plus.
Reserving Railway Tickets
If your Italian is good you can also buy tickets from the Trenitalia call centre. Dial from a landline within Italy: 89.20.21 (then choose option 2) Dial from a mobile within Italy: 199.166.177
Then you pick up your tickets from the self-service machine at the station. It is not particularly convenient using the telephone service, and often it is much easier to make a trip to the train station in advance to buy your tickets.
For Eurocity, Intercity and Eurostar Italia trains you need to reserve seats and this costs a bit extra. There is no big cost saving in buying your ticket well in advance, but reserving seats is recommended during the peak months of June through to September. Reservations can be made three hours before departure, with some train services accepting reservations up to 30 minutes before departure.
Before boarding your train you must validate (stamp) your ticket in the special yellow box which is located on the station platform and in the foyer. Once stamped the ticket must be used within six hours for journeys of up to 200km or 24 hours for a journey over 200km. If you do not validate your ticket you could incur a hefty fine and boarding a train in Italy without a ticket will also incur a fine of at least €25.00.
