Has anyone purchased individual point-to-point tickets for Italy through EuropeOnRail.com? How does this work? Do they send you the actual ticket through mail? It is safe? The prices seem a lot cheaper at this site so that’s why I’m wonder. Thanks!

I just checked 3 fares on EuropeonRail.com and also on Trenitalia.
I checked Rome-Florence, Florence-Venice, and Rome-Venice. All three were considerably cheaper on Trenitalia for a 2nd class ticket. 1st class also but I didn't write them down.

For Rome to Florence EOR.com wanted 45 Euros and Trenitalia's price was 33.

From Florence to Venice EOR.com's price was 41E, and Trenitalia's was 30E.

From Rome to Venice EOR.com wanted 69 E and Trenitalia's price was 51 E.

What did you check that was cheaper? I just got the "standard" fare on Trenitalia.

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bookmarking

I know these services exist because Trenitalia.it is such a PITA to deal with. But I rally wouldn't worry so much about getting tickets in advance. As long as your schedule is the tiniest bit flexible, and especially if you travel mid-week, it's unlikely that you will ever NOT be able to get a seat on a train, even the same day you're travelling.

By way of example, our daughter waited til the last minute to book her travel from Milan to Rome last Wednesday and from Abruzzo back to Milan on the Monday after Easter - two of the busiest days of the year.

For the departure, she had to change her ideal time by one hour (earlier). For the return she couldn't find a seat on a direct through train and had to change in Bologna, which made the trip a little longer, but she certainly made it home.

The most consistently crowded routes, at least in the northern half of the cuntry, are Milan-Rome on the Friday afternoon/evening Pendolino, and the return Sunday afternoon/evening.

best regards,
Deirdré Straughan

living & travelling in Italy:
www.beginningwithi.com

I agree entirely with Deirdré. I never understand why people worry about booking train journeys when it's so easy to buy tickets in Italy. There are so many more useful and more interesting things to do to prepare for a visit to Italy: reading and learning about Italian history, culture, cuisine and language, for instance.

>There are so many more useful and more interesting things to do to prepare for a visit to Italy: ....

And there are so many more useful and interesting things to do IN Italy than standing on line at the train station waiting to buy a ticket.

As long as they have the self service machines, I've never stood in line to buy tickets. It's click, click, and you're done.
I too do not understand why so many people fret soooooo much about having EVERY bit of their "vacation" planned and booked, even the train travel.
It's too easy to buy tickets in Italy and it affords you some flexibility

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It's a very good idea to book in advance if you need to catch a train upon arrival in Italy and the train you need when you depart. During your stay it's easy to just wait. I've seen many tourist arriving in Rome Termini fumbling for money or cards, leaving their luggage unattended. I've even seen them walk away leaving coats and such. It's VERY nice to just walk in and get on the train.