tuscanlifeedit

What ellenem said.

joannay

As I said, regarding travel agents I defer to those with greater experience.

greg

I have seen two or even three types of ticket machines in Italy. I found only one of them to be easy to use and takes credit cards. Other types took only cash and had a denomination limit, I thought it was 20EU bills. The ones that take credit cards are the newer types and seem better at presenting tickets relevant to the tourists. At Florence station for example, even though many said there are many ticket machines, there were long lines at every one of the newer ticket machines as far as I could see. The older machines had shorter lines but when I tried to buy tickets to Perugia, it presented me with three different station choices which I was not ready to answer. Relative to the lines at newer machines, the line at the ticket window was moving faster, as annhig said, don't automatically ignore the ticket windows. So I went to a ticket window to buy a ticket to the Perugia station relevant to a tourists. It turned out the other Perugia stations made sense mostly to the local commuters.

ShilpiC

And now I see mini and family fares on Trenitalia! You guys just saved me 100E!
Can't thank you enough!

benjoanna

We booked our tickets right at the station once we got to Italy but sounds like you received some good suggestions on how to book in advance. One other suggestion I would make is to give yourself a little extra time once you get to the station to board your train. If you aren't used to taking trains (are a newbie) it can be a little complicated in terms of finding the right train and sometimes they switch platforms last minute. Also, make sure you use the little yellow machines near the train platforms to stamp your ticket before boarding the train - this wasn't overly obvious for the novice traveler.

deedeedee

If you are going to use credit cards to purchases your tickets ( or anything else )

contact your bank & inform them you will be in Italy & using you credit card for various

purchases. Helps with fraud problems ...

ShilpiC

Help me help me help me.....it keeps on saying pPaypal did not authorize the transaction! How do I book

cathies

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but often people have trouble with the trenitalia site. You may just have to wait till you get there.

kybourbon

Use your Visa or MasterCard. Notify your credit card company in advance.

>>>At Florence station for example, even though many said there are many ticket machines, there were long lines at every one of the newer ticket machines as far as I could see.<<<

Florence has ticket machines right next to their ticket window and these can be busy. Most people don't realize that there are also machines track side that aren't as busy. Sometimes I see lines for the track side machines, but only on the side towards the ticket office. People don't realize there are a row machines on the back side with no one using them.

You only need to validate tickets that don't have assigned seats.

ShilpiC

@cathies: I have heard and feared that!
@kybourbon: I used Visa....and have successfully been using for sleepinitaly etc....I have no clue what is teh problem with this site! But I will keep your Florence input in mind...thanks!

kybourbon

Has sleepinitaly actually processed anything on your card or are they just using it to hold your reservation?

When making an online Italian purchase, you must notify your credit card company in advance and have them flag your account so they don't block. It seems most US credit card companies think online+Italy=fraud.

Read Trenitalia's secure payment info:
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...f16f90aRCRD#11

I wasn't aware that Paypal was still a payment option on Trenitalia. When you try a certain number of transactions without completion, Trenitalia may block you from booking or freeze your account for 24 hours. I would notify my credit card (they expect you to attempt with only one), make sure my account is flagged (call back and check if it's listed) and try purchasing again.

jent103

I don't even remember seeing Paypal as an option on Trenitalia, though it's possible I just missed it. You don't need to use it, though - try paying directly with your credit card. And I agree to call your bank first and let them know you're traveling. I've had cards blocked before for that reason.

ShilpiC

I don't even know what I did right but it worked now! Must be the positive energy of you guys....thanks

kybourbon

Great!