Is it better to book in advance on line fomr the US or just book travel once in Italy? Also, would it be better to just buy individual tickets if you're doing the Rome, Venice, Florence thing or is the IC pass or rail pass the way to go. I've read the tour books but want more opinions.

Just buy individual tickets in Italy, also you can buy all your ticket from a travel agency at the same time.

Or you can buy all your tickets at the RR station at the same time, either using a machine or at the ticket window.

Topping this questions because I'm still trying to figure this out as well.

What about the Kilometer tickets? Or, what type of ticket would you recommend that will allow first class travel in Italy for two weeks?

Hi Jayne,

I don't think that they do the Kilometer tickets anymore.

Go to www.railsaver.com and enter your itinerary to see if you should get a railpass.

It is cheaper to buy p-t-p tickets in Italy.

The kilometer tix no longer exist.
We did point to point, buy as you go (when you get to one destination, buy the next). Travel agencies charge a small fee but can be worth it if you have to make a connection and are not sure of what time you want. Trenitalia.com has times but doublecheck, it can change. We changed trains last minute from Milan to Venice and had no problem with the 10 minute notice (changed our tix at the travel agency in the trainstation)! You can ask for First class when you purchase it.

Is the kilometer ticket the one that Rick Steve discusses in his book? (sorry Fodorites) I think he said it was IC or something.