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Using credit cards in train ticket machines in Italy

Using credit cards in train ticket machines in Italy

Old Apr 21st, 2012, 09:22 AM
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cwj
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Using credit cards in train ticket machines in Italy

Hi,

I am trying to decide between a rail pass and buying tickets after arriving in Italy. I have read many posts here, but there is one question I am unclear on. Can I easily use my credit card in train ticket machines in Italy?

Thanks.
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Old Apr 21st, 2012, 09:27 AM
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This link has screen by screen instructions for using the ticket machines including paying with credit cards.
http://www.roninrome.com/%20transpor...ickets-updated
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Old Apr 21st, 2012, 10:08 AM
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But the real question is why bother? It's pretty easy to buy a ticket at a window, though perhaps these aren't manned at surburban or very small town stations. The longest line we had to wait in was in Firenze the day before a train strike when everyone was trying to get to their destinations. Even then, I wasn't in line for more than 10 minutes.
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Old Apr 21st, 2012, 10:43 AM
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Easier yet is to buy your train ticket at a travel agent. As you walk around, look out for an agency with the Trenitalia logo in the window. Most travel agents speak good English and ther is no surcharge. One time in Rome's Stazione Termini the ticket lines were long. So I just went to the in station travel agency and was out in no time.
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Old Apr 21st, 2012, 11:04 AM
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>>>But the real question is why bother? It's pretty easy to buy a ticket at a window,>>One time in Rome's Stazione Termini the ticket lines were long. So I just went to the in station travel agency and was out in no time.
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Old Apr 21st, 2012, 12:59 PM
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kybourbon - agreed. Once I figured out how to use one of these kiosk machines, it was a piece of cake. Fast, easy and very convenient. I use this every chance I can get in Italy.
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Old Apr 21st, 2012, 07:14 PM
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Don't know where you live, but most US credit cards don't have the chip and pin required for European automatic machines used in railway stations, toll roads, gasoline stations, etc. I've never had a problem using my US credit cards in a hotel, restaurant or department store where they can be swiped but, I repeat, they do not work in any automated pay machine in Europe except ATMs. I have read on this forum that there are one or two US credit cards that do have the chip and pin system, but the vast majority do not.
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Old Apr 21st, 2012, 10:49 PM
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Yes, the machines work fine with credit cards, they also accept banknotes and the railpass reservation is 10 euros on each fast train.

Walk up to a machine, touch the UK flag for English, enter your destination, up come the next train departures (or you can choose tomorrow's date, whatever), choose a train, click on 'Global Pass' (that's a railpass reservation), buy it, out it comes, and off you go.

Self-service is far simpler than waiting in line at the ticket office.
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Old Apr 22nd, 2012, 05:20 AM
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Can the machines be used to purchase special offers like Family Fares?

Curious as to whether my US credit card will work in them
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Old Apr 26th, 2012, 05:59 AM
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We seem to have some conflicting opinions about whether US credit cards (mine lack the chip and PIN) will work in Italian train ticket machines. Can someone help out here? Thanks.
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Old Apr 26th, 2012, 06:19 AM
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There are at least two general classes of ticket machines at stations. When people post without qualification that using a ticket machine is easy, they are referring to the new machines.

1. The new ones (the colorful ones) take US credit cards and large bills.
2. The old ones (look tattered) don't take any credit cards or large bills over 20€.
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Old Apr 26th, 2012, 06:25 AM
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Some people have posted information that pertains to other countries or other types of machines (gas stations,toll roads, etc.).

For Italy:

>>Man_in_seat_61 on Apr 22, 12 at 2:49am
Yes, the machines work fine with credit cards, they also accept banknotes and the railpass reservation is 10 euros on each fast train.
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