Holly, you're right about my erroneous math. I kept in denial about the exchange rate because it was too painful when I was there.

Even our poor SBB travel agents are having a hard time with Italian trains. They told me IC trains are the same price as regional trains in Italy.

Wrong!

We had to pay the conductor in the train:

1. The balance between our regional ticket and the IC ticket
2. A very high service fee

With all my travels around Europe I have been guilty of running a few fares. All by accident (Late for train with luggage and kids, etc.) I have always been polite, explained why and apologized. I never expressed any outrage or indignation at fines and such AND I have never once been fined. Scolded and warned was the worst I've ever gotten.

My friend and I purchased round trip tickets from Venice to Padua - it was at the beginning of our trip and I had not yet remembered that tickets should be stamped before boarding train. I think I remembered about the time the train was leaving the station and when the conductor came, we attempted to explain and apologize. He was an older man and I think he really did not speak English - he spoke sharply to us in Italian - we had NO idea what he was saying to us! He took our tickets, shook them at us and spoke more angry Italian - then walked away. What was going to be our fate???? by the time we reached Padua he still had not returned to us - we hurried off the train wondering if the station police would be coming to apprehend us. Well the only repercussion was having to purchase a return ticket to Venice since the others were confiscated - needless to say NOW I always remember to stamp my ticket.

Suec,
I bet we had the same conductor. We had to pay the extra fee on our journey from Padua to Verona.