Hello. I've tried to purchase train tickets for a trip from Rome to Naples in advance on the trenitalia website and can't get the site to accept my credit cards. I've tried Visa, MC and Amex and still no luck. I've also called the credit card companies to make sure sure my card was not being declined because it's a non-U.S. website and this is not the case. Has anyone experienced this? If so, how did you get around it? If I have to buy tickets at the station, is there a chance that the train would be full? We want to take the express Eurostar train that is 1 hour 21 minutes long.

No, it won't take your credit card if they are US cards. It's doubtful the train would be sold out unless you are traveling at peak times (Friday night or a major holiday). If you are in Rome a few days, just buy your tickets when you arrive at either the train station or any store that has the Trenitalia logo advertised.

We just went throught this exact scenario. I tried for two months to buy online. Didn't work. As kybourbon says, we went to the Rome train station and bought the tickets a few days in advance from one of the handy machines. Got the "promo" fare in first class for 42 Euros each. One hour and 21 minutes. Easy as pie.

PS - our Rome/Naples train did not leave from the track listed in the displays along the platform. There is an electronic display that you have to keep an eye on as well, although it didn't list our changed track until about 10 minutes before departure time.

There are many many posts noting difficulties in using U.S. credit cards at Trenitalia. The problems is not usually because your bank rejected the transaction. The banks never receive any transactions to reject in the first place.

So the usual plan B is to wait until you get to Italy to buy tickets.

If you are traveling during busy times in a large group, such as the Friday before Easter, you might have to go thru high commission U.S. based companies such as RAILEUROPE.

Hi nd,

I believe that a poster reported being able to use paypal, and someone else had a virtual credit card. In general, the agency that trenitalia uses for CC transactions can't handle anything but Europen cards.

When are you going?

How many days will you be in Italy before you go to Naples?

Is Naples your destination? If not where are you going?

Thanks everyone. I've been going crazy to try to get this settled....glad to know it's not me! We leave for Italy next week and will be in Rome for two days before taking the train to Naples and then the hydrofoil to Capri for a few days. Thanks again.

Hi nd,

You can buy your train tickets when you arrive in Rome, even at the FCO train station.

Enjoy your visit.