Is there an on-line alternative to ordering a three-day rail pass by mail? Departure is July 14 and we are afraid that the pass will not arrive in time.

Can the rail pass be purchased at the rail station in Venice?

Travel is for three adults and two children from Venice to Florence, then Florence to Rome. Will point to point be less expensive then a three-day (in two months) rail pass?

A rail pass is a waste of money for a simple one-way journey like Venezia-Firenze-Roma. Italian rail fares are cheap by European standards, and a rail pass is only worthwhile if you are doing a lot of rail travel. Look on www.trenitalia.com to see the fares.

Definitely buy point-to-point tickets. There are automatic ticket machines in major stations that have instructions in English. Fast and simple. Here is the URL for the English version of the Trenitalia site: www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html.

Each leg of your route will cost about 30E per adult for the fastest trains (ES) 2nd cl. If you purchase point-to-point in Italy (or on Trenitalia) it includes your seat reservation. If you purchase a pass (which is almost never economical for Italy)it doesn't include seats on ES (mandatory) and you will have to pay extra to purchase them. Buy your tickets there. You will also qualify for either family or group discounts.

Hi Le,

>Will point to point be less expensive then a three-day (in two months) rail pass?<

MUCH less expensive.

Schedules, prices and tickets are at http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

You can buy all of your tickets at the train station in Venice.

Enjoy your visit.

Thank you all for you much appreciated help and great advise, as usual!