going to italy in april 2007, need to go:
- from milan to vernazza
- vernazza to pisa
- florence to venice
- from venice to milano

should i buy train tickets in advance or it's easy/reliable to find tkts for those trips in the time i'm travelling???
thanks a lot

I always buy my tickets either a couple of days before or on the day I need them. I buy them in Italy at the train station.

Hi PT,

If you know the train you want to take, you might as well buy your tickets online.

It'll be something you won't have to do on vacation.

Thanks Ira and sandi, still undecided, will probably get them online though since i'm set on dates and place....Thanks again for your help.

Buy them in Italy when you're ready to travel: It's easy to do, it will probably be cheaper, and it will give you more flexibility in travel.

Thanks everybody for you responses.

Please see my recent post on the thread
"Venice to Rome - Eurostar of Trenitalia"

I do buy my tickets a day or so ahead of time. I have detailed out how to choose when and how to go, and looking at costs, etc....

If you buy Italian Rail tickets on line from a stateside seller, you will pay more than you would over there. If you can get the Trenialia website to work, you won't pay any less than over there. The only benefit of getting them online in advance from Trenitalia is that you know you have them, and you might not have to stand in a line.

Rasta, thanks for your input. I'd checked the trenitalia site, but never went as far as the details on the stops. That's good info, thanks.
One question, if i buy a ticket for let's say 10am and i miss the 10 o'clock. can i catch the next one? I'm asking that in case i buy online at the trenitalia website and for some reason i arrive late at the station. Hope it's not to dumb of a question.....
Larry, thanks to you too. I've never bought a ticket at their website, but now i will be prep. if it doesn't work.

thanks much for your help.

It depends on what kind of train you lose If it is a train with reserved seat, like Eurostar trains, you lose the ticket. If it is a no reservation train..then you take the next train and it's ok

Hi P,

If you buy an AV or ES* ticket and miss the train, you can get a refund and a ticket on the next train.

If you have a ticket on any other train, it is not limited to a particular time.

Thanks Ira and Kenderina, that's good info. Makes me more comfortable about buying it online and not having to worry about if I lose the train....Thanks for your help.