Railway transport in Italy. Trenitalia - Italian railways and online ticket features

And in this country absolutely charming villages. Somehow I managed to live for a week in Borgio Verezzi - a magical place. But you need to get to all these beautiful cities and villages somehow... For me, and for many travelers, the most convenient way to move around Italy is by rail.

At one time, regarding the Italian railway, I had a whole host of questions. And I spent hours looking for the necessary information on the Internet or pestering friends and acquaintances with questions who had a rest in this country and traveled by train from one city to another. If in this moment you are the same or the same "why" as I was a few years ago, then my story is for you. I'll try to make the most of it useful information necessary for a tourist to travel by train in Italy.

What are the trains in Italy

The modern Italian railway begins its history in the 19th century, when the first railway line to Protesi was laid in Naples (1839). Over time, the Italians appreciated the convenience of the railway, and it began to develop actively.

At the moment, the length of railway lines in the country is about 16 thousand kilometers. The state (Trenitalia) owns 80% of the traffic in the country. Another 20% are served by various private railway companies, two of them, NTV and Circumvesuviana (Circumvesuviana), I will talk about today, since most travelers use the services of these corporations.

Trenitalia trains

Trenitalia has the following categories of trains:

1. Frecci.
2. Intercity (IC).
3. Intercity No.te (ICN).
4. Eurocity (EC).
5. Regional Veloce (Rv).
6. Regionale (R).

Before traveling, you need to carefully familiarize yourself with the whole variety of types of trains, so that later during the trip there are no unpleasant surprises. I will talk about each separately.

Frecci category trains

The name translates as "arrow". Indeed, we associate steles with speed and swiftness, and Frecci trains travel at a speed of 200-360 kilometers per hour.

• Frecciabianca,
• frecciargento,
• Frecciarossa.

Frecciabianca trains

Frecciabianca ("white arrow") are trains that serve destinations from Milan to Venice, Trieste, Udine. Also "under the patronage" of the "White Arrow" are the local coastal lines of the Adriatic, Lecce and Bari. A distinctive feature of Frecciabianca is high comfort, simplicity and brevity in the design of the car, as well as very affordable ticket prices.

As for the interior, in first-class carriages, the seats are arranged according to the “2 + 1” scheme (single seats on the left and double seats on the right). This results in a wide aisle and a well thought-out luggage system.

In second-class carriages, seats are arranged according to the “2 + 2” scheme.

Compared to first class, the seats themselves are a little narrower here, and the aisle is narrower. If in terms of weight you are catching up with Nero Wolfe, I'm afraid you will be uncomfortable in such a car, and people of average build will have no problems.

Personally, I can not find any particular difference between the classes, except for the number of seats and the width of the aisle. All carriages on the train are clean and comfortable. Frecciabianca is the slowest train of those that travel at a speed of 200 kilometers per hour.

As a rule, the composition of the Frecciabianca train is as follows:

• 2 first class carriages;
• 6 carriages of the second class;
• 1 wagon for people with disabilities;
• only 9 wagons.

Trains Frecciargento

It means "silver arrow". These trains run on both standard and high-speed lines. The main routes pass through Verona, Venice, Reggio Calabria, Bari, Lecce.

In the first class, the seating arrangement is “2 + 1”, they go in the direction of the train. There is a lot of free space in the car, there is no feeling of some kind of tightness when there are a lot of people in the car. In the second class, the seating arrangement is "2 + 2".

The only drawback of this class (as well as some other classes in other categories of trains) is that the seats are located opposite each other, that is, only half of the passengers sit in the direction of the train. Once, for the first time, I rode in such a carriage, sat against the movement of the train, and I got a little sick. But an elderly Italian gentleman noticed that I had turned pale and offered to change places. I soon felt much better. Silver Arrow trains travel at a speed of 250 kilometers per hour.

As a rule, the composition of the train is as follows:

• 1–3 first class carriages;
• 2–5 second class carriages;
• some trains have a restaurant or bar car;
• only 7–9 wagons.

Frecciarossa trains

Frecciarossa (“red arrow”) are the fastest trains in Italy, they accelerate to 360 kilometers per hour! Run between major cities:

• – (you can get there in just 3 hours);
• – Bologna (only 1 hour on the way);
• - (you can get there in 1 hour 10 minutes), etc.

The first and second classes do not actually differ. In the first, passengers are seated according to the “2 + 1” scheme, in the second - “2 + 2”. The chairs are equally comfortable, the aisles are spacious. Small tables can be laid out, there are sockets for connecting laptops and other devices.

There are also Executive and Business classes - they are distinguished by special comfort, but tickets for them are expensive.

Travelers in Executive, Premium and Business classes can order drinks. Trains on some routes have a restaurant car, so that hungry passengers can taste excellent Italian cuisine, watching the landscapes passing at incredible speed outside the window.

As a rule, on Frecciarossa trains:

• There are first and second class carriages. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that over the past five years, Frecciarossa trains have been re-equipped, replacing first and second class cars with cars with four levels of service:

1. standard,
1. premium,
2. executive,
3. business.

Each train has a different number of cars of one class or another. There are 11 wagons in total.

It is important to remember that you can ride on a converted train with four levels of service, or on an old-style train with first and second class. The second class corresponds to the standard level, and the first class can be said to be divided into three levels of service, which I wrote about above. Every year there are more and more Frecciarossa trains with four levels of service, and trains with first and second class will soon go into oblivion.

Intercity train category

The next category of trains is Intercity (IC). They are suitable for those travelers who like to savor trips. They can hardly be called superfast, and they make many stops, but they connect more than two hundred cities. When traveling on them, you can really feel the spirit of real Italy.

In most cases, one such train includes 2 first class cars and up to 7 second class cars, both compartment and general.

The arrangement of seats in first-class carriages is classic "2 + 1". In the second, in the compartment version, the arrangement is “3 + 3” - six people in a compartment, three in a row. The compartment is separated from the passage by glass doors.

In common carriages, in most cases, the seating arrangement for passengers is "2 + 2". It turns out that in a row, which is divided by a passage, there are four chairs. However, depending on the specific train, a different seating arrangement may apply. In order to know exactly which car is waiting for you, look at the Trenitalia website for a diagram of the train that runs in the direction you need.

As I said, such trains make many stops, and their maximum speed is 200 kilometers per hour.

Train category Intercity Notte

Intercity Notte (ICN) is a great option for those who like to travel at night. In the evening, take a comfortable train, and in the morning you are already in the right city. This way you can save on hotel costs and avoid wasting valuable daytime vacation time on long trips.

The train has seats (the chairs are comfortable, it is quite possible to sleep in them) and a compartment.

Coupes are of two types: only for women (Donna) and mixed (Promiscue).

The number of seats in a compartment may vary. In the first class, these are single and double compartments, and in the second, three to four people can be accommodated.

Eurocity train category

Eurocity (EC) are international trains. They travel at least through the territory of two countries, stopping only in the largest cities. Stops last no more than 5 minutes, and in exceptional cases - 15 minutes.

All carriages have air conditioning, food and drinks are available during the trip. Trains run only during the daytime. The guides are bilingual, one of them is English. The trains have first and second class carriages, as well as a dining car.

Many of the trains in this class bear personal names in the tradition of the last century, when luxury trains were assigned individual names.

Train categories Regionale and Regionale Veloce

Regionale (R) and Regionale Veloce (Rv) are, to put it simply, ordinary electric trains. They stop, as my uncle says, "near every post" - at all stations and in all cities. There are exceptions to this rule, but they are quite rare.

If we talk about the cars, they are very “colorful”, there are a variety of seating options for passengers, there are both single-deck and double-deck trains, both new and old cars. There are first and second grades.

Regionale Veloce trains differ from Regionale trains in that they travel faster and have fewer stops.

Trains of the railway operator NTV

In addition to Trenitalia, another operator serving passengers is NTV with Italo branded trains. You can recognize them by the logo - a running hare. These trains, in my opinion, are technically ahead of the Trenitalia trains. However, they do not have such a large coverage area - they run only in big cities:

• Venice
• Salerno and others.

Italo trains are, as the famous film says, simply "a poet's dream" - comfortable, fast and with excellent service. The Italo train concept is that convenience, as well as a high level of comfort, must be provided to every passenger. That is why there is no division into classes on trains. Each traveler has his own needs and preferences, so the train has three categories of carriages, each with its own range of services. Common is free Wi-Fi, sockets near each chair and TV.

The carriages of the Italo train are divided into the following categories:

• smart.
• Prima.
• club.

I will tell you in more detail about each of them so that you can navigate the level of service and choose the most suitable one for yourself.

category smart

This category includes a basic set of services, but at the same time very comfortable travel conditions. You can eat directly at your seat, each passenger is provided with an Eataly menu. You can choose meals both in advance and on the train. If you just want to have a snack, you can appreciate the abundance of snacks, cookies and sweets in the vending machines located in the snack area.

Naturally, the train cars are spacious, and the seats are comfortable and there is a socket next to each of them, because gadgets are always discharged at the most inopportune moment.

If you quickly get tired of the monotonous flickering of landscapes outside the window, then take a ticket to the smart cinema car. This is a movie car with 39 seats, it is equipped with 19-inch TVs, there are eight of them in the car. They broadcast the most popular tapes of the Medusa Film company and others entertainment programs.

category prima

If you love attention to detail and want the train car to resemble a cozy living room, the prima category is for you. Everything is thought out here: from the stylish design to the footrest, which is adjustable. Each passenger has a personal subject table, and in the morning you will be offered the latest press.

If you are tired on a long journey, then you can warm up a little in a special break relaxation area. Also, if you wish, you can dine without leaving your chair.

If you want to ride in complete silence, the prima relax car is at your service, where loud conversations and the use of phones are prohibited.

Category club

This category was created for the most demanding passengers. Prima cars are located at the beginning and end of the train, this ensures the quietest possible environment. The conductors are especially attentive to the passengers, at their request they bring coffee or newspapers. There are only 19 seats in the carriage, so everyone is guaranteed personal space on the trip.

But if you want extra privacy, you can buy a ticket to one of the special four-seater lounges.

Passengers are also served the Eataly menu, after studying which they can make an order for lunch. You can also choose food in advance - at the time of buying a ticket. Each passenger has a separate TV.

A few years ago, tourists avoided traveling by Italo trains, saying that it was too expensive. However, now the situation has changed. The difference in ticket prices for Trenitalia and Italo trains is not so big and sometimes amounts to only a few euros. And the comfort of Italo carriages and the attentiveness of the staff to the passengers have already captivated many travelers.

Circumvesuviana trains (Circumvesuviana)

Talking about the Italian railway, it is impossible not to mention the Circumvesuviana. The name of this railway company literally translates as "around Vesuvius". Trains run along the coast of the Gulf of Naples and north of Vesuvius. The network is relatively small - only 142 kilometers.

The trains have two or three cars and can carry up to 450 people on one trip.

Since this is actually the simplest train, you should not expect something fashionable and super-comfortable from the train.

These are the main types of trains in Italy. Now, when buying a ticket for a particular route, you will already know approximately what a particular train looks like and how comfortable your trip in it can be.

Varieties of train tickets and basic fares for them

After we figured out the trains and wagon classes, we need to decide on another equally important thing - the type of ticket fares. In total, there are more than ten of them in Italy. But for a tourist, so to speak, "free swimming" you need to have an understanding of the three main ones: basic, economical and super economical. I'll tell you about everything in order.

Base rate

It is also called a base ticket (basic ticket). It will suit if you are a “fickle person”, because the date of the trip can be changed. For me personally, this is the best option. I have seven Fridays in the week, I can’t plan all my affairs well. So sometimes you have to buy tickets for a different date.

It is allowed to change the time and date of the trip until the train leaves the platform and for another hour after that. That is, you have the opportunity to leave by another train, and not the one you planned on. In general, if you missed the train, but you have a basic ticket in your hands, you should not be upset, you will leave on the next flight.

If your ticket cost €10 and you change your mind about going, just return it to the ticket office. True, in this case you will lose 20% of its value. In the event that the value of the ticket you purchased was less than €10, it is non-refundable. The basic ticket can be used to travel on a different route, while paying the difference in ticket prices.

The downside of the base rate is only that it does not imply any discounts.

Economy tariff

A ticket purchased at this rate is also called an economy ticket. You can only change the date or time of travel on this ticket once. You can use it only on the route indicated on it. Transferring to another train and paying the difference will not work. It is not possible to cancel such a ticket.

The undoubted plus of the fare is that you can buy tickets for it at a discount of up to 50%

Super economical tariff

He is Super Economy. The most attractive fare for tourists who like to save money on the road and spend it on visiting a restaurant or buying some cute little thing.

The cost of tickets at this rate is really minimal. However, the purchase must be taken very responsibly, since it will not work to change the date of the trip or the time. It also excludes the possibility of returning a ticket to the box office. So be careful, cheapness is cheapness, but if you are not sure about the date and time, it is better not to buy such a ticket.

How to save on tickets

Having dealt with tickets and tariffs for them, we will continue to comprehend railway wisdom. Now I will tell you about how you can save your hard-earned wages on train travel.

Main methods:

• advance purchase of tickets;
• purchase of travel cards;
• awareness of whether you or your child are privileged passengers;
• tracking promotions on the fare.

Let's talk about everything in order.

Advance ticket purchase

As I said, there are about a dozen tariffs on the Italian road. And one of them is Amica. The prettiest, in my opinion. Provides discounts up to 60% of the ticket price. However, you need to buy such tickets not three days before the trip, but 1-3 months before the date of the intended trip.

In addition, the number of such tickets is strictly limited, so you need to hurry. “Whoever has time, that and slippers,” as my dad says. It is also important to remember that there are no refunds or exchanges for Amica tickets.

Travel cards

If you are going to Italy not for a week, but for a longer period, it is quite appropriate to buy a Green Card, aka Carta Verde. It will cost you only €26 and will entitle you to a 15% discount on all trains. And not for a week or a month, but for a whole year. So, if you have more than one trip to this country planned for a year, buying such a card is quite justified.

However, it is worth remembering that there are age restrictions. Carta Verde can only be bought by young people under 26 years old, as well as seniors over 60 years old.

For the most restless tourists, a good option is the Amicotreno card. It is almost twice as expensive as the Green Card and costs €50. But the discounts here are appropriate:

• 50% of the fare for regional trips.
• 10-20% of the fare on Intercity trains.

You can buy cards at the box office railway stations.

Discounts for different categories of passengers

First of all, these are children. If the child is not yet 4 years old, he can not buy a ticket. However, personal space the baby will not, he will have to sit on his mother's or father's lap.

But for children aged 4 to 12 years, a discount of 30% of the declared ticket price is provided. And if you have a large family or a group of friends, which consists of 6 or more people, then you can count on a 20% discount.

Stock Tracking

If you buy tickets on the Trenitalia website (and I will instruct you on how to do this later), there is a Promotions tab where you can see various discounts on tickets or super offers. For example, from time to time there is a promotion "2 x 1". By purchasing a ticket for such a promotion, two people will be able to travel on one ticket. However, do not forget that tickets purchased under promotional offers cannot be exchanged or returned.

We travel like clockwork

In order for you to remember the trip as an exciting journey, and not an accident from your vacation, you need to remember the following:

• validate the ticket (not always),
• save the ticket
• take into account delays.

Ticket validation

Some tickets need to be validated before travelling. This applies to travel documents only for regional trains. For composting at stations, special devices are installed, they can be yellow or green. The ticket must be brought to the slot of the device, then you will hear a characteristic “rumbling” - the date and time of the trip are printed. If the "rumbling" is not heard, this may indicate that the device is broken, so head to try your luck to the next "box".

In the event that for some reason it was not possible to validate the ticket, I was advised to get on the train and write the date of the trip and the time on the ticket in ink by hand. The validated document is valid for only 6 hours, that is, during this time you need to board one of the regional trains, and after the expiration date, the ticket becomes invalid. And if you decide to go with an unvalidated ticket, that is, a hare, you may face a fine. And quite impressive, up to €100.

Ticket storage

Do not place your ticket in the top pocket of your bag, where it can easily get lost. Controllers run regularly on the trains. It is best to keep your travel document with you. And when the controller asks to present it, you need to do it, and not cutely flap your eyelashes and assure that you had it, but it was blown out the window just a minute ago, or that your pygmy Spitz ate it for breakfast. If you didn’t have a ticket, you are in trouble, namely:

• Fine for ticketless travel (around €100);
• Buying a ticket directly from the controller;
• Payment of the fee to the controller.

And a separate word about fake tickets. Then for some reason I remembered a moment from my, so to speak, “criminal past”. This is a story about how I forged an invitation to test on my printer, as the original was drowned in a puddle. If such an incident happened to your ticket, then do not repeat my feat, wielding a printer, copier or some other technical device, but rather buy a new one. After all, getting a fine of € 200 will be much more expensive than any ticket in the country. And who needs problems with the police?

And the story with the invitation ended well. I was allowed into the audience, and I successfully passed the test. But my act is clearly not an example to follow, but rather an exhortation that fakes in any area of ​​​​life are a very risky undertaking.

Be aware of delays

Here I’m not talking about the delays of passengers and funny moments for observers from the outside, when men with their tongues hanging out and a tie over their shoulders are trying to catch up with the train, and the girls are trying to jump into the car on huge heels - this is generally a fairy tale. Although personal discipline in relation to the departure of the train must also be observed.

The trains themselves are often late. This is especially true for connecting flights. You should not measure yourself 5–10 minutes for a transfer, because your train may be late, and then you will stay waiting at the “transfer point” for the next train, and in some cases you will still need to spend money on a new ticket.

Buying tickets

So it's time to talk about how you can buy train tickets. There are three ways to buy a train ticket in Italy:

• In the automatic.
• On the Trenitalia website.
• At the box office of the station.

Here I will tell you about these three ways to buy tickets.

Buying tickets from a vending machine

Ticket machines can be found inside the stations. Their principle of operation is similar to our widespread ATMs and terminals.

The scheme is quite simple. First of all, we choose English, this is if you do not speak Italian well.

The first thing you need to pay attention to is that in the column "Departure" (departure) the name of the station / railway station where this machine is located will be by default. So if you decide to buy tickets for a whole vacation in advance, then be careful that they do not all end up with the same point of departure. You can change the departure point by clicking the Modify departure button (I marked it with an arrow in the photo).

When we figured out the place of departure and arrival, we determine the date and time of departure. This data is indicated a little lower under the "ruler", which displays your actions during the purchase. The date and time can also be easily changed by clicking the Modify date and time button.

On the grid with possible trip options, choose the one that suits you and press Select. A window appears with basic information about your ticket, where are indicated (from left to right):

• rate;
• the cost of the ticket and in which class the ticket was bought;
• number of passengers.

In the last "segment" of the screen, you can add, by clicking on the "+", the number of passengers, as well as indicate the number of children (they are supposed to have a 30% discount, as I said).

We choose a payment option convenient for you - cash or a card (the procedure is standard: load banknotes into the receiver or insert a card and enter the code). Then we pay, pick up tickets (there is a window for tickets at the bottom of the machine).

Done, you are amazing! However, before choosing a machine, check if it has a cash slot, as some only work with cards.

Buying tickets at the box office

The method is suitable for those who do not want to deal with the Trenitalia website. Or you do not have a card to pay at the machine, or only large bills are available. Actually, there is nothing complicated in buying a ticket at the box office, no; we all did it dozens of times in our country. However, there we spoke with the cashier on mother tongue. And then there's the language barrier. And if you both speak English, it's not so bad. Often, cashiers speak only Italian, and personally I have a so-so conversation in it, to put it mildly. Therefore, before buying a ticket at the box office, I carefully study the information about flights and write a note to the cashier, enter the following data into it:

• Travel date.
• Desired route.
• Departure station.
• Arrival station.
• Number of passengers.
• Departure time.
• Desired rate.
• final ticket price.

In most cases, cashiers understand everything without any problems, and my emoticons and flowers on the note touch them, and they serve me with a smile and without any problems. By the way, you can find out all the information about the trip on the same Trenitalia website or in the ticket machine, but if you are afraid to pay, such a note to the cashier will be an excellent alternative.

Registration on the Trenitalia website

It is now 2016 and Trenitalia is making the registration process more and more complicated, especially for users who live abroad. I did not find any logical explanation for such changes. Therefore, in order to register, you will have to go to some tricks. But nothing criminal!

The ticket, of course, can be bought without it. But I would still recommend that you go through the registration process, as there are often various problems when buying a ticket for unregistered users. Up to the point that you may not receive your tickets in the mail.

Registration process

First we need to generate an Italian TIN, aka codice fiscale. To do this, go to this one. Next, fill in the window that appears with your reliable data. You can see an example in the screenshot I made.

And here is the finished generated code!

For what you will need codice fiscale, I will tell you a little below.

Now we go directly to the Trenitalia website and start the registration process. First you need to choose the most understandable language for you. In my case, this is English, so all my screenshots will be taken from the English version of the site.

We immediately focus our attention on the Customer area section. This section is located just under the tab where you can change the language. Slightly deviating from the topic, I note that the usability of the site, as for me, is just excellent. No need to surf the page to find a particular tab, everything can be understood intuitively.

Having opened the Customer area section, you need to click the Register button. Next, a window for registering a new user will appear.

It is, let's say, rather big, and it can even take up to an hour to fill in all the necessary data, especially if this is your first time registering on such a site. It is, let's say, rather big, and filling in all the necessary data can take even up to an hour time, especially if this is your first time registering on such a site.

Filling in the Your personal data block

The first block that needs to be filled in is Your personal data, which means “your personal data” in translation. They will need to be placed in different fields. First you need to enter your first and last name. Then there are three fields, of which, if you are not Italian / Italian, you will only have to fill in one - the first “Country of birth”. As soon as you specify your country: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus - the following fields will turn gray and become inaccessible to you, they need to be filled in only by Italians. Next, enter your date of birth and gender.

And now the high point of the TIN has come, which we generated a little earlier. You need to enter these numbers in the Tax code / VAT column. I must say right away that these numbers are, in general, mythical, and neither the registrant nor the site itself needs them. But once again they did not miss the opportunity to fool the client's head.

Filling in Your document block

In this block, you need to register a document that will confirm your identity. For example, a passport. You must indicate the passport number, as well as the date it was issued and the expiration date. The last three columns are also intended for residents of Italy, but they need to be filled in, so fill in as you like, the information written there does not play a special role.

Filling in the Your account block

You need to approach the filling of this block responsibly and carefully remember the data that you enter, because then with their help you will enter the site. In the first column, enter the desired login, and then the password. Then you need to confirm the password again.

If you don't want to bother with coming up with a login, just click on the Suggest button, and the system will suggest several logins combined with your first and last name. Since my name is rare, I had plenty to choose from.

Filling in the Your Home block

The most illogical and unnecessary section. After all, you need to enter the place of your permanent residence in Italy. Even if you have been making good in Kuchugury for thirty years now. In order not to bother for a long time, enter the address of the first hostel or hotel that comes across. Respond with formality to formality. Or you can enter the real address of the hotel where you plan to stay.

Filling in the For contacting block

This block must be completed. And do it without errors. Enter your valid email and phone number. You can ignore the next three boxes. Unless you want Trenitalia to know more about you, or you are the lucky owner of a promo code, or you were invited by a friend and you want to enter a “friend code”.

Completing the Privacy and declaration of consent block

Here I recall the phrase from the film "Sportloto-82": "The torture with oranges lasted the third hour." But we have already come to the end, and this is the last block to be filled. Everything is simple here. We tick boxes everywhere. You agree with everything.

But to clear your conscience and get rid of doubts like: “did I agree to pay a loan for 500 thousand”, you can read all the information written in small print. Then click Confirm.

The final stage of registration

Next, the page will reload, and you will again see all the blocks with registration data. Double-check the data, if everything is entered correctly, you agree with everything. Press the "OK" button. As with a standard registration on any domestic site, a message will appear stating that in order to complete the registration you need to go to your email and confirm the registration.

If you go to your email and don't see the email, check your spam folder. It is likely that the letter was sent there. Then, following the instructions, follow the link.

Voila! You are awesome! And now, as a registered client, you can enjoy all the benefits of the site! Just don't lose your username and password.

Buying tickets through the official website of Trenitalia

Those who constantly use the site to buy say that there is nothing difficult in this, that everything is as simple as that. But if this is your first time trying to figure out the site, difficulties can arise, and some may seem insurmountable to you. But nothing is impossible. I will try to tell you about the main important points that you should consider when buying a ticket on the Trenitalia website.

The process of purchasing tickets through Trenitalia.com

Entering the site, choose the most convenient language. As I said, for me it's English. If you registered as I described above, then you need to log in, for this, enter your username and password in the Customer Area section. Next in personal account click on the Purchase button. After that, you can proceed to the actual purchase of tickets. For users who decide not to bother with registration, the procedure for purchasing tickets can be started directly from the main page.

I'll tell you more about the search box itself. If you check the All Trains checkbox, the system will search for all trains on the specified route. If you are only interested in high-speed trains, check the box next to Frecce, and if you want to go by train, then next to the word Regional.

• One Way - to select a trip in one direction only.
• Return - to select a trip there and back.
• From - the city from which you are traveling.
• To is your destination.

I want to dwell on the last two points in more detail, because it was there that I had my first difficulties during the purchase of tickets. In the From column, I tried hard to enter the word Venice. After the fifth attempt, I suspected that something was not clean here. The system kept giving out a message that there is no such city. And I wondered how it could not be. Only a few minutes later I had the idea to enter the name of the city in Italian - Venezia. And everything worked.

So remember, even if you have chosen the English interface, the names of cities and stations must be entered only in Italian. Also, if there are several stations in the city you are leaving or arriving in, they will all appear in the drop-down list, and if you live in a cozy apartment on the outskirts of the city, there is no need to go to the Main Station, which is located in most cases in the center. You can select a station that is closer to your home.

Next, you need to enter the date of the trip and the desired time of departure. After that, you need to specify the number of adult passengers (adult) and children (children). Next, click the Search button, and the site will display the desired results. Do not be surprised if instead of the address trenitalia.com in the browser line, the address lefrecce.it appears, it also belongs to the Italian railway system, and it is redirected to it for buying tickets. This is what the completed ticket search window looks like:

After clicking the "Search" button, a large page with search results will open. You will see ten options for the trip, but this does not mean at all that there are so many of them. It's just that this number of flights is displayed on the site by default.

To see the next ten travel options, click on Next Solution. Or on View All Solutions, then all possible options will be shown on one page.

In the Tain column, you will see all possible train options on this route: both electric trains and high-speed Frecci. Let me remind you that the seat number is not indicated on the train ticket. You can take any free. And if you don't, then you have to stand. In high-speed trains, each passenger has his rightful place. Well, of course, such trains go faster.

The Offer column offers fares at which you can buy a ticket.

There are four types listed:

• ordinaria,
• super economy,
• economy,
• base.

The Ordinaria fare is the standard fare for regional trains. About all the other tariffs, I told you in detail a little higher.

If you decide to travel by regional train, you need to click on the ticket price, and it will become clear that there is only one Ordinaria fare, and you can only travel in the second class. But since it is quite comfortable in the second class, it is not worth complaining about not being given the choice of the first class. To continue the purchase process, click on Continue.

With the purchase of a ticket for a high-speed train, the situation is a little different. Here you can choose not only the type of ticket and in which class you want to travel, but also the seat numbers. When choosing a trip on a high-speed train, you will see the following window:

In order to select a seat, you must check the box next to Choose the seat. After selecting the appropriate travel conditions and cost, you need to click Continue.

Next, a train plan will appear in front of you, where you indicate a place convenient for you, and it will turn red.

Then you need to click Confirm.

After this moment, the famous theme from the show "Ford Boyard" always starts playing in my imagination and sounds: "Felindra, turn the tiger's head."

A stopwatch is shown in the window on the right, which measures ten minutes, and for them you need to complete the ticket purchase procedure. So it's not the best best time to go make your own coffee.

Procedure for filling in personal data

If you have not registered on the site, then you need to select the Go on without log in tab. After that, specify the last name, first name, email and phone number. If you are buying a ticket for yourself, then check the box next to the words I am a passenger too. Thus, your data will be duplicated on the ticket.

You also need to agree to all the conditions of the carrier and tick the boxes in the right places, without this you will not be able to complete the purchase procedure.

The procedure for filling out the Payment section

Getting a ticket

If you entered all the data correctly, it's time to look at the email. There you will find a letter from the company with an attached file, which is your ticket. It looks something like this:

The most important thing in your ticket is the PNR code, which, in fact, will be checked by the controller. Next, the ticket must be printed and not lost until the moment when the controller on the train asks to present it. Using a special reader, the employee will check the ticket (it takes about 15 seconds) and return it to you.

Restriction on buying tickets on the website

In addition to the fact that you need to have time to issue a ticket in ten minutes, there is another time limit. Only one ticket purchase can be made per 24 hours. If, having bought tickets from Venice to Verona, after a couple of hours you decide to go from Verona to Genoa and immediately want to buy a ticket, you will fail. You will have to wait a day, and only after this time you will be able to buy tickets again.

How to buy tickets for several destinations at the same time

If, while traveling in Italy, you decide to visit several cities, then carefully study the entire schedule and write down all the necessary data on a piece of paper. This will help you invest in ten minutes.

After you have chosen one route, and a countdown has appeared on the right, do not yawn, but click on the Add Trip button, which means “Add Trips”. From now on, your first ticket is in the shopping cart. Now let's go down the beaten track. Select a new search and add the desired route. Thus, you can add as many travel options as you want, the main thing is to meet the required time.

If you are a registered user, it will be a little easier for you at this moment.

In the window of your personal account, simply select the Multiple Trips tab and, without leaving the cash desk, indicate the directions you need.

That's probably all important points regarding the purchase of tickets directly on the Trenitalia website.

What e-mail to use when registering on the site or buying a ticket

Often the Trenitalia website does not interact well with Russian mailboxes, especially with mail.ru. Therefore, it is better to use gmail.com when working with it. Or start any other international mailbox.

This is a matter of five minutes, and can save you from many problems when buying.

Conclusion

Summing up, I want to say that the Italian railway is very peculiar. Without a careful study of all its features, your trip may not work out. But, I think, after reading my article, you have a good knowledge base, which now needs to be put into practice.

And in parting, I want to advise you to be careful when choosing tickets and buying them, since some of them are difficult to return. Also keep an eye out for fare discounts, so you can save a lot of money and spend money on pleasant purchases. Bon Voyage!

The first railway appeared in Italy in 1839, even before the unification of the fragmented regions of Italy into a single state. Length of the first line from Naples to the tiny town of Portici was 7.5 km.

Now the total length of Italian railways is almost 17 thousand km. The main carrier, which makes 79% of shipments, is the state-owned company Trenitalia, in addition to it, there are 40 more small railway companies.

Railways Italy are considered among the best in Europe, they have one trouble - regular delays of trains by 15-20 minutes.

How to buy tickets online

Online purchase is carried out at www.trenitalia.com – official website of Italian railways. How it's done:

• You need to go to the site and select the English version by clicking the British flag icon at the top right. Next, click the Register button. A form will appear.
• In the form, you need to fill in the Name and Surname fields (first and last name) in Latin, exactly as written in credit card(because you have to pay for it).
• In the column Your Home (your address) you need to write down the Italian address - the location of the hotel where you plan to spend your vacation will do. Then the columns E-mail (mail) are filled in and Telephone Mobile (cellular).

  2 checkboxes are put in front of the words I agree and a jackdaw confirming the reading of "Regolamento". Confirm button is pressed.

• The next day (not earlier) you receive an email with a link that you need to click to activate your account. The password must be changed to a new one.
• After that, you need to re-login with a new password and you can select tickets by first filling in the Ticket column. Select Single (one way ticket) or Return (round trip).

  Fill in the columns From and To (from where and where), Depart (departure time), Return (return time), Adults (number of adults), Children (children). Press Search and you can select the route and tickets.

• Important! City names (From… To) must be entered in Italian, for example, Firenze, but not Florence, Roma, not Rome.
• Tickets are always available, but they should be chosen at least 2 months before the start of the trip, otherwise all cheap Economy and SuperEconomy class tickets will be sold out, and you will have to be content with the more expensive Base fare.

  For comparison: a trip from Rome to Florence according to the tariff Base 2nd class will cost 43 euros, Economy - 29, SuperEconomy - 19.

• Count Cartafreccia with discounts and other things, alas, only for Italian citizens.
• In the column Prices (prices) is indicated minimum price- usually it is either SuperEconomy or Base 2 class. By pressing Select (choose), you can buy tickets and more expensive, for example, ride 1st class, business class or in a luxurious Executive carriage.
• Payment is made by Visa or Mastercard.
• Tickets will arrive in the mail in PDF, they need to be printed. It is highly desirable to record the PNR (Booking Code) separately and save it carefully.

  Actually, the controller on the train will only need this code to break through his base and issue a check certifying payment and a well-deserved right of way.

Trains marked Regionale are local trains, slow and cheap. A trip from Rome to Florence on such a regionale will cost 21 euros in 2nd class, 32 euros in 1st class.

The price of tickets for trains is the same - online, at the box office and vending machines. You can buy them online 1 week before the trip, but not earlier, and you won’t be able to save on them.

Classification of Italian trains and seat types

Trains in Italy are divided into the following types:

• High-speed. These are luxury trains of Eurostar Italia and trains of the Frecci (arrow) series, plying between the main cities of Italy. Tickets are not cheap, seats are reserved after purchase.
• Intercity. These are Intercity and Eurocity trains - the first ones run around the country, the second ones - throughout the EU. Buying a ticket does not mean automatic booking. A seat is reserved additionally for 3 euros, or you can sit in any free seat in your car (although a reservation is preferable).
• Regionale - the notorious electric trains, rather slow and inexpensive. When buying a ticket, a seat is not reserved, you can sit anywhere. Overcome distances within 200 km.

Trains are strictly divided into day and night. In the daytime - only seats. Night buses start running at about 19.00, there are both sitting places and “lying down” places (Cuccette).

Coupes in the usual sense are available only on night trains - double (the most expensive), four-seater and six-seater. There are single compartments and triples.

Coupes are divided into mixed (promiscuo), purely feminine (donna) and purely masculine (uomo). This important to consider when ordering or buying tickets.

Night trains run, for example, from Rome to Palermo and back, the journey time is approximately 11-12 hours, you can sleep at night (and save on a hotel). But there are no nightly regionales.

Cars are 1-2 class, if you get into a 1st class car with a 2nd class ticket, have to pay the difference. However, striving for the 1st grade does not make much sense - the classes differ slightly.

Are the places more comfortable, on the road they can treat you to coffee and offer to read the latest Italian press. It's hardly worth paying more for it.

Train timetable in Italy

Italian train schedule can be found in 4 ways:

On our site you can also find. It will definitely come in handy when traveling around the city!

Train travel benefits, discounts, benefits and passes

Travel by train in Italy is much easier and faster than by plane (taking into account check-in, baggage check, etc.) and very often (though not 100%) cheaper.

The train is clearly preferable to the car - suffice it to mention that parking in Venice for 1 day will cost 50 euros, to which you need to add the cost of gasoline and tolls on the autobahns.

Buses are not very convenient., since most of the routes are local.

How to further save by preferring the train to other modes of transport:

• Toddlers under 4 years old can ride for free, provided that they do not occupy separate seats. Children from 4 to 12 have a 30% discount.
• More information about discounts can be found in the OFFERS section of www.trenitalia.com or at the ticket offices of Italian railway stations.
• The InterRail Italy Pass can be bought in Italy itself or order online (delivery 7-10 days). Gives the right to use the trains 3,4,6 or 8 days a month. Price for 8 days - 216 euros, children and students - discounts.

Tickets: where to buy and how to validate

Where and how to buy tickets, not counting online purchases:

• At the box office at the station, which is not very convenient, since the cashiers do not always understand English, queues are possible. This method will work if not bank card or only very large denominations are available.

  Please note that the box office is open until 20.00 (and sometimes until 18.00).

• Can buy at newsstands or tobacconists, sometimes in a bar at the station (if the ticket office is already closed).
• The most convenient way is a machine, payment is made in cash or by card, there is an English interface.
• The purchased ticket must be passed through a composter (new models are turquoise, old ones are yellow). Station composters are everywhere..

  You need to lower the ticket into the slot and wait until the machine “purrs” and puts down the date and time. A validated ticket is valid for 6 hours, an unvalidated ticket is valid for 2 months, it can be returned (though with a discount of 20%).

You do not need to validate tickets that include carriage and seats, such as tickets for Eurostar trains. Any tickets purchased online, including regional train tickets, are also no need to compost.

A few simple tips will make life much easier for those who travel in Italy by train:

• Italians, including railway employees, love and know how to strike, because the very word "strike" is of Italian origin.

  Usually strikes do not affect tourists, but it is worth checking the site scioperi.mit.gov.it/mit2/public/scioperi where up-to-date schedule of all strikes.

• With a bit of luck on regional trains, you can ride a "hare", but you should not rely heavily on luck, tickets are often checked. If caught, you will have to pay 100 euros and buy a ticket.
• If for some reason it was not possible to validate the ticket at the train station or station, you need to go on the train and find the controller (capotreno). He validates the ticket himself. Otherwise, you will have to pay a fine, as for the passage "hare".
• Food on even high-class trains leaves much to be desired, so it is better to stock up on food at the stations. Toilets at stations and railway stations are paid (0.5-1 euros).

All seasoned travelers in Italy, they agree that railways are the most practical and convenient way to travel around the country. The only alternative is your own or a rental car (more details). Of course, buses are also available here, but it is quite difficult to understand the system of their flights right away: they run rarely and irregularly. But the Italian railway system is perfectly coordinated: it is a special world with its own laws and regulations. A single network connects all the major and most attractive cities and attractions for travelers.

Majority Italian railways, connecting the cities, are high-speed and are served by a single transport company Trenitalia. However, there are exceptions: the railways around the volcanoes of Etna and Vesuvius (more about Vesuvius), as well as the province of Puglia, are organized by private transport companies. The Italian trains themselves are divided into several types, each of which can be discussed in more detail.



They could be called top-class trains, since both in terms of speed and level of comfort they stand above the rest. Such a train is capable of reaching speeds of more than 250 km / h (for example: from Rome to Florence on such a train you will get in an hour and a half, from Venice to Milan in two and a half). In the name of each type of Eurostar trains, there is the word "arrow" (Italian "freccia"), which quite accurately conveys both the speed capabilities and the appearance of the train. The streamlined and pointed shape of the composition perfectly matches this association. Within the category, there is a division into subspecies of trains:

• Red Arrow. Even among its own kind, it has no equal: at certain intervals of the path, the lightning-fast train develops speeds up to 360 km / h. It follows the routes Turin-Milan-Bologna and Rome-Naples-Salerna.
• Silver Arrow. Unlike the previous one, this train can be used not only as a high-speed train, but also as a regular one. It unites Rome, Venice, Verona and a number of smaller cities. The maximum speed of the train is 250 km/h.
• White arrow. The speed of this type is more modest than that of others - 200 km / h, however, it is not inferior to its brothers in terms of comfort and convenience for passengers. Connects Milan and Venice, in addition, serves several other lines, including the Adriatic coast.

Regardless of the subtype, Eurostar trains are distinguished by exceptional comfort and modern interior equipment. The carriages have Wi-Fi, the seats are equipped with sockets for charging mobile phones and other devices. Tables are attached to soft and comfortable chairs, the cabin is quite spacious, it is possible to order drinks. In addition, the trains have a restaurant car available for visiting, a special car for passengers with disabilities.

Expert advice! Italian trains are not punctual, and it is better to be prepared for this. Even the scoreboard was initially programmed with the line “ritardo” - late, and it often has to light up. At the same time, you should not relax, and it is better to leave the house in advance.



This type is considered to be simpler and more budgetary: the train travels slower (its ceiling is 200 km/h), it looks simpler, and its prices are much lower. Not so long ago, after the strengthening of the position of Eurostar trains, Intercity flights were significantly reduced, due to which ticket prices fell sharply. However, like Eurostar, this type is focused on inter-regional trips, which are made with a minimum number of stops. The salons are also very comfortable: there are ordinary and compartment cars, first and second class cars.

Regional trains

It would be easier to call them electric trains. These are trains that cover short distances within the same region. As in our trains, in this case, seats are not marked on tickets, so during rush hour or on weekends there is a risk of not having time to take a seat. But at any time you can get off the train and transfer to another, or even go on another day. Tickets in Italy are universal, they can be used on any train of the corresponding class. True, if the ticket has already been validated, you will have to try to keep within 6 hours.

Expert advice! Validation of tickets for regional trains is mandatory. The controllers are not asleep, and are quite determined: for traveling with an empty ticket, a substantial fine is imposed. You need to supply stamps for tickets in composters, which are located near the platforms. If the machine does not work (this is a common occurrence in Italy), or you simply do not have time to get close to it, you need to write the date and time of the trip on the ticket yourself.

ICN long distance trains

Sleeping places are provided in such trains, but the level of comfort leaves much to be desired: 6 passengers are accommodated in a compartment, instead of linen - something resembling sleeping bags. It may be more convenient to use the services of airlines to travel to the other end of the country. It is much faster and more comfortable, in addition, there are a large number of budget tariffs.



Tickets can be purchased in two ways: at the box office or in a special machine. When buying a ticket at the box office, it is better to contact the cashier in Italian - not everyone knows English here. Please note that if the buyer does not specify which class of train or wagon he is interested in, it is customary here to sell the most cheap ticket. Therefore, all your preferences should be expressed immediately. The same goes for time: if you don't specify, you will be sold a ticket for the next train.

Most travelers prefer to buy tickets at the box office, because local machines tend to show a character: hang up or not give change. If you still decide to take a risk, we recommend paying with a card, this will reduce the risk of problems.

Some smaller stations may not have a vending machine or an open ticket office, in which case tickets may be sold at a bar or other nearby department.

Expert advice! Tickets for Eurostar trains are best purchased in advance via the Internet. Firstly, in the hot seasons they are sold out quite quickly, and you run the risk of being left without a place, and secondly, it will come out much cheaper. When booking on the website for a long time before the intended trip, you can buy a ticket at the most economical rate: such tickets cost from 9 euros. True, it will be impossible to return or exchange such a ticket. Ticket sales start 4 months before the trip.

By the way, quite recently in Italy they introduced several completely new railway routes of amazing destination. These are railways, stylized in the old days, starting from the slow contemplative movement and ending with the appearance of the train. Train routes run along the most picturesque places country and past the delightful monuments of architecture: bridges, castles, ruins. The slow movement of the train allows you to carefully consider every detail, which will be extremely interesting for connoisseurs of antiquity and history.

Let u Italian railways and there are some disadvantages like low platforms, lack of automatic doors and frequent delays - but still, traveling around the country by train will certainly appeal to you. The main thing is to clarify all the details and do not be shy to ask local residents if something is not clear to you. Italians are hospitable people, they will be happy to prompt and help you. Have a nice trip!

Where is the best place to look for train tickets in Italy and how to buy tickets on trenitalia.com so as not to spoil your own vacation and travel experience. Today BlogoItaliano will talk about the little-known moments of Italy's main railway site, the nuances that beginners often encounter, and how to get around them so that the trip is as comfortable and safe as possible. All the same, trains were and remain the most popular way to travel around the country.

Features of buying tickets on the Trenitalia website

Before we proceed directly to the process of buying a ticket online, it is important to note the following: tickets for trains in Italy can be purchased at the station itself. You can do this both at the checkout and the machine. Here, however, there are several “Buts”:

• The closer to the departure date, the more expensive the ticket, as a rule, is. Just before the train leaves, the travel document costs the most. So the sooner you buy it, the more you save.
• On a number of popular destinations, there may well be a situation with the lack of tickets before departure. Still, Italy is a popular country, and train capacity is limited.

You can buy tickets ahead of time on the official website of the railway Trenitalia.com, where locals mostly buy, or, which is mostly used by Russian-speaking travelers. The reasons why tourists often prefer Omio to the railway's official website have to do with their unwillingness to risk their vacation, as well as their desire to save money.

Not Trenitalia alone

Of those who have never used Italian railways before, few know about it. But Trenitalia is not the only rail operator in the country. Along with it, no less high-speed and comfortable Italotreno trains run on many popular routes.

Since these are 2 completely different companies, they also have different schedules, ticket sales and various promotions for passengers. So when planning a trip, it makes sense to at least study both operators.

Ticket... didn't come

Yes, this may well be the case. You have chosen a trip, paid, and e-ticket did not come. Communication with Trenitalia technical support can take not only hours, but weeks, given the language barriers and everything else. Therefore, despite the fact that you can buy tickets without registering, we strongly recommend that you still register. Then, even if the tickets do not come to your mail, you can simply download them in your personal account. But registration is also not easy.

"Troubles" with registration

Registering on the Trenitalia website to get all the benefits is quite simple, but not quite. The first thing our compatriots “stumble” over is having to enter your address of residence… in Italy. This is only necessary so that the CartaFRECCIA savings card is sent to the specified address by post.

But you do not need it, since only residents of Italy can use it. The way out can be to enter an arbitrary address or the address of the hotel where you live or are going to live, so that your card does not come to some signor Francesco in a Sicilian village.

The second "misunderstanding" is passport data. Here, in addition to the number and date of issue, you must also indicate the authority that issued the document. And also Italian. You can get out with the real number of the foreign passport, the date of issue and expiration date, and choose the rest arbitrarily.

Finally, the most "delicious" - "Codice Fiscale" - your TIN in Italy. Yes, it is in Italy. It can be officially obtained from the Italian consulate. Ready to try? If not, then can do without all these complications and additional documents, but more on that below.

In the meantime, for those who decide to get confused with the hotel address and Italian TIN, let's deal with the purchase process on the official Trenitalia website.

Buying tickets on the Trenitalia website

So, in order to buy a train ticket in Italy, we go to the official international website of the state carrier - www.trenitalia.com.

Home page of trenitalia.com in Italian

We will illustrate the search and purchase of tickets online on the Trenitalia website using the example of a conditional trip from Rome to Milan. The first thing we see on the site that opens is the ticket search request form. Let's go through all the form fields in detail:

TUTTI I TRENI - all trains;

FRECCE - high-speed trains ("Arrows");

REGIONALI - regional trains ("electric trains").

SOLO ANDATA - one way;

ANDATA E RITORNO - "there and back";

Da - from where;

In the fields of departure and arrival, we type the first letters of the places we are interested in, and then we can select a specific place from the list that appears. It should be borne in mind that the names of the stations of the Italian railways on the site are given in Italian, regardless of the choice of the language of the site (at the time of writing, the Italian, English, French, German and Chinese versions are relevant). Also, in many cities there is far from one station, and this should also be taken into account when planning a trip.

In the fields "Adulti" and "Ragazzi" we mark the number of adult passengers and children, respectively. Children under 4 years old travel free of charge, from 4 to 12 years old - with a 50% discount.

We press the button "CERCA" (search), which will take us to the page with the search results. You will be redirected to the lefrecce.it website - don't let this bother you, there is no "substitution" here, you just switched from the international website of the Italian railways to the local one.



Search results are presented in the form of a table

We received a list of possible options for the trip we needed, indicating the key parameters. By default, 10 offers per page are displayed, and if there are more, you can switch between pages using the arrows at the bottom of the table, or click the "Altre solucioni" button to display all the offers for the specified day.

The column "Partenza" indicates the time of departure and place, the column "Arrivo" indicates the time and place of arrival, "Durata" the time of the journey; “Treno” is the type of train (both regional and high-speed trains can run here in any order), “Offerta” is the type of ticket, and “Prezzo” is the price.

Each column in the table is collapsed. Having expanded the appropriate column, we will see a number of additional options within one specific route.



Choose ticket type and carriage class

Here we can change the ticket type and carriage class. The main types of tickets offered by Italian railways are Base, Economy and Super Economy. The last type is the cheapest tickets. They sell out the fastest. Slightly more expensive - Economy and even more expensive - Base. The difference in price is formed from the conditions of return or exchange. So, for example, a Super Economy ticket cannot be returned or exchanged, which makes it as cheap as possible.

The options for choosing a wagon class depend on the type of train. So, for example, in Frecciargento and EuroCity there are two classes - the first and second. They are not fundamentally different, but the difference in price can be significant.

There are more classes on FRECCIAROSSA ("Red Arrow") trains - Standard, Premium, Business Salottino, Business Area Silenzio, Business, Executive. You can get detailed explanations about the benefits of a particular class of carriages on Trenitalia trains by simply hovering over the “i” icon in the column of interest.

Having finally decided on the choice of the type of ticket and the class of the wagon, put a tick in the place corresponding to our choice and click "CERCA".

A page opens where we need to specify the personal data of passengers and select a payment method.



Enter the personal data of the passengers. Don't forget to keep track of the time counter



Choose a convenient payment method

From the moment we go to the booking confirmation page, the time allotted for this procedure begins to "click". Confirm purchase and make payment need to be done in 10 minutes. We will be constantly reminded of this by the widget in the upper right part of the screen.

The reason for this restriction is obvious - while you confirm the reservation, the selected offer is "frozen" and no one can buy it before you. This is especially true for trains and wagons with the ability to select specific seats.

By the way, the choice of seat is quite simple with the available visualization of the car and seating plan. Free seats are marked in green, you can select them with a simple click.



It is not difficult to choose a seat in the car: just click on any free one, marked in green

We remind you that in budget option- in regional trains of Italian railways, there is no possibility of choosing a seat, by definition, and if, when you get into the car, you do not find a free seat, this does not mean that you were sold a ticket in excess of the "norm", thereby infringing on your rights. You just have to ride standing up, that's fine.

Let's go back to the booking confirmation. If you are not registered on the Trenitalia website, select the "Proseguo senza fare il login" field. A form will open in which you will need to enter your data - first name, last name, email and contact phone number with the country code, but without the "plus" at the beginning.

Note - this is a form for filling in your data as a ticket buyer. The passenger data form is located immediately below it. If you are a passenger, you do not need to fill in your data a second time - just check the box “Sono anche un passeggero del viaggio” (I am also a passenger), and your data will be duplicated in the form below.

Now we go down below, where a list of payment methods is submitted. Choose the appropriate one and click "Continue".

At this stage, fill in the payment data and make the payment.



In the e-ticket, the most important PNR code

After successful payment, the tickets should come to the e-mail you specified. They will be in pdf format. This pdf file will need to be printed and taken with you on a trip. The most valuable thing in such an electronic ticket is the PNR code. Actually, this is the only thing that will be of interest to the controller.

In emergency cases, you may not even have a printed file, but simply show the ticket controller on the smartphone screen. He will request a ticket by the PNR code in the database, and this will complete the control. The process takes a matter of seconds. Of course, you do not need to register somewhere or, moreover, compost an electronic ticket.

How to buy tickets easier: an alternative way

If all of the above seems too complicated for you or you are not yet ready to communicate with Trenitalia support in Italian, you can use. Here you can check the current timetable and book tickets for Trenitalia trains without an Italian address, TIN, passport, etc. complications.

In addition, Omio keeps track of not only Trenitalia trains, but also Italotreno and other companies. And since they use the same stations, but each has its own prices, promotions and “goodies” for customers, you will have a much better chance of buying a ticket at a bargain price.

Finally, if you haven't used Omio before, you can get a 10 Euro discount on your first purchase. To receive a coupon, you need to register in the system using a special invitation link. The discount becomes available immediately after registration. The only condition is that the purchase amount must be more than 40 Euros.

BlogoItaliano wrote more about this little-known life hack in a separate article.



Prices are the same as at the ticket office at the train station. In Runet, he created, perhaps, the most convenient solution of this kind. Previously, in order to check the prices of all operators at once, you had to use similar resources on English language. At the same time, they often had such commissions that all convenience was reduced to nothing.

The system interface is intuitive and there are no restrictions on the number of tickets purchased. You just need to enter the necessary data, pay for the purchase and receive the coveted travel document by e-mail. All you have to do is print it out and take it with you to the station.

Category Red Arrow (Frecciarossa)

This type of train reaches a cruising speed of 360 km/h on certain sections of the route. Trains use new high-speed lines and connect the cities of Turin - Milan - Bologna, Florence - Rome - Naples - Salerno. Exceptional comfort and Wi-Fi connection. Directions:

Milan - Rome - Milan: 24 direct and 30 with stops in Bologna and Florence. Travel time: 3 hours and, respectively, 3 hours 30 minutes. for the second group.

Milan - Naples - Milan: 4 trains stopping at Rome and Milan and 7 trains stopping at Roma Termini. Travel time: 4 hours 10 minutes and, respectively, 4 hours 25 minutes. for the second group.

Turin - Rome - Turin: 8 trains with stops in Milan, Bologna and Florence cover the distance in 4 hours 13 minutes. 4 trains with a single stop in Milan cover the distance in 4 hours and 20 minutes.

Bologna - Florence - Bologna: 44 trains, travel time - 37 minutes.

NB Italy -

Red Arrow - interior and services

You can buy Red Arrow tickets online at www.lefrecce.it or from the new Self-service "Biglietto veloce" machines. The seat on the ticket is reserved.	Trains Milan - Florence - Rome - Naples include a dining car. A couple of years ago, only first-class passengers and top managers could use this service.
Everything in first class carriages passenger seats equipped with contacts for laptops and mobile devices. Passengers can order coffee, juices and champagne. Passenger arrangement 2+1.	Second-class carriages are not inferior in terms of comfort and equipment. The layout of the passenger space is 2+2.


Category Silver Arrow (Frecciargento)

These trains can use both high-speed and conventional lines and reach speeds of 250 km/h. Silver arrows connect the cities of Rome, Venice, Verona, Bari, Lecce and Reggio Calabria. Directions:

Rome - Venice - Rome: 28 trains with a minimum time of 3 hours 30 minutes. and maximum - 3 hours 43 minutes.

Rome - Verona - Rome: 6 trains, of which 2 - through Bolzano and 4 - through the city of Brescia. Travel time - 3 hours.

Rome - Bari - Rome: One train with stops in Benevento, Caserta and Foggia. Travel time - 4 hours.

Rome - Reggio Calabria: 2 trains stop at Naples, Salerno, Paola and Villa San Giovanni. Travel time - 4 hours.

Silver Arrow - carriage interior




Category White Arrow (Frecciabianca)

Trains of this category have a speed of 200 km/h and serve the lines Milan - Venice, Udine, Trieste, as well as the local lines of the Adriatic coast, Bari and Lecce. They are distinguished by high comfort and cleanliness, spacious interiors and favorable ticket prices.

The White Arrow consists of several first-class carriages, as well as a specially adapted carriage for passengers who cannot move independently due to health reasons.

The interior of the White Arrow carriages

2 + 1 seating layout, wide aisle and more thoughtful system for personal luggage. All first and second class tickets include a seat reservation.

The layout of passengers is 2 + 2, the design of the seats is less free, more economical materials were used for the interior and toilets. All passenger seats are equipped with contacts for laptops and mobile devices.

Intercity trains (IC)

This category of trains appeared in Italy in the 80s. Intercity trains were considered luxury and were intended to carry passengers between major Italian cities. In fact, they have become an expensive option for interregional trains. Prior to the introduction of Eurostar high-speed trains, IS trains served long-distance destinations with few stops along the way.

As a rule, the train layout includes 2 first class cars and up to 7 second class cars, including compartment and general passenger layout options. Trains develop a maximum speed of 200 km/h. Intercity trains linking cities neighboring countries, are called Eurocity.

Since December 14, 2008 almost all trains of this category have been replaced by Eurostar Arrows. As a result, the price of tickets for Intercity is much lower and more profitable. Until recently, the purchase of a ticket did not imply the reservation of a seat in the carriage. Due to the accelerated modernization of these trains, this option will most likely also appear in the online booking mode.

Interior of Intercity carriages

Regional and local trains

As the name implies, this is a category of local trains without the possibility of reserving a seat in the car. Regional and local trains, with rare exceptions, stop at every locality or train station.

Regional and local trains can be double-deck, include old and new cars, different types of locomotives, and the varied range of cars is difficult to describe in a nutshell. Distinctive symbol of wagons - R or REG(regionale).

The maximum speed of trains is up to 150 km/h, but only in certain sections.

Investments

Over the past few years, Italian railways have invested more than 5 billion euros in projects for new high-speed lines and train safety systems. Trains are the main competitor of airlines in the domestic transportation market, in some cases the time gain is obvious. Train traffic control systems, implemented on the basis of GSM operators, allow you to control the speed of trains at a distance, stop the train or bring it to its destination automatically under any atmospheric conditions.

Official website of the Italian Railways



Roma Termini. Address: P.zza dei Cinquecento, 00185 Roma, Italia

It will be useful for readers to know that the railways became the second unifier of Italy after Garibaldi. Their birthday is officially fixed on April 21, 1905, although the first trains appeared more than 170 years ago. A short video report on the history of Italian railways will take you back in time for a moment:

Train stations in Italy

Italy in the past was jokingly called the country of a hundred cities. Now it is called the country of 2000 stations. There are exactly 2260 of them. They are categorized and subject to different administrative levels. There are four categories of stations, each of which includes classification attributes by volume passenger traffic, infrastructure of services, tourist congestion, architectural complexity, originality and the level of development of business services.

Platinum category includes stations with a daily number of passengers from 6,000 people per day, with a dense network of destinations and the frequency interval of departure and arrival of trains. Cities are important tourist and cultural centers, station infrastructure includes supermarkets, bookstores, travel agency offices, etc. The platinum category includes 11 Italian cities: Milan, Venice (Mestre, Santa Lucia stations), Verona, Bologna, Torino, Genoa (Principe, Brignole stations), Florence, Rome , Naples, Bari and Palermo.

Golden Stations medium to large sizes differ from platinum in terms of passenger traffic and fewer business services.

bronze stations serve exclusively local trains with a small regional passenger traffic.