One more question: Does anyone know how far ahead train tickets for sale in Italy?

No train from Rome to Lamezia Terme is "nonstop". The Trenitalia website shows all intermediate stops for all trains, by clicking on the informational icons for the train in question.

Tickets for long-distance trains with automatic seat reservations (i.e. all trains EXCEPT the "regionale" ones) go on sale beginning 4 months before travel date. Under the new fare structure beginning 12/13/2009, one can save 15% by purchasing at least 7 days in advance, or 30% by purchasing at least 15 days in advance. This now applies to ALL long-distance trains (AV, ES, ES-City, IC, ICN, EXP) excepting the "regionale" trains, which are non-discountable.

Tickets for the "regionale" trains go on internet sale one week beforehand (but there is little reason to buy in advance, since one cannot reserve seats).

Most Italians buy tickets for "regionale" trains at automated kiosks at the train station the morning of departure or the day beforehand. There is no difference in fare, and no advantages to buying them via the internet.

Because I've seen a lot of confusion on several travel websites (including this one) concerning the Trenitalia webpage schedules, let me remind everyone that the website updating should be completed by the end of the coming week (of November 30). Currently, the train schedules post 12/13/2009 do NOT show ANY "regionale", "IC" or even all of the "ES" trains. THE SCHEDULE IS STILL INCOMPLETE AND CONSEQUENTLY MISLEADING!!!!!!!

Be patient and check the website again towards the end of the coming week, when the updates should be complete.

GAC, many thanks for the detailed reply.

Thanks for the info!

The Trenitalia website has a new message informing that the new schedules effective 12/13/2009 will be completely uploaded tomorrow, December 4.

The new Trenitalia schedules effectice 12/13/2009 have now been fully uploaded onto the Trenitalia website. There is mainly GOOD news:

1. Most if not all Intercity (IC) and Intercity Night (ICN) trains have been retained, and fares seem NOT to have increased.

2. There are still "regionale" commuter trains on medium-distance routes such as Milan/Venice; Florence/Rome and Rome/Naples.

3. Fares for the AV trains have all increased between 10% and 15%, but travel times have been shortened, as noted in the previous postings.

4. The DIFFERENCE in fares between AV trains and Intercity/Regionale trains is now even greater: for example, between Florence and Bologna, the AV costs 24 Euros; the IC 9.50 Euros (expect some very crowded IC trains on this segment). Similarly, between Rome and Naples, the AV train costs 44 Euros; the IC train 19.50 Euros.

5. The "AMICA" fare for ES-City, IC, ICN and EXP trains has been eliminated. These trains now qualify for the standard 15% and 30% promotional fares, which require a 7 and 15-day advance purchase, respectively. (This is a negative development).

6. There are some unexpected quirks: for example, all Eurocity (EC) trains between Verona and the Brenner Pass will no longer be sold through Trenitalia (only through Austrian Rail and Ferrovie Nord as sales agent in Italy). Also, the direct Eurostar train between Rome and Trento/Bolzano appears to have disappeared.

The new high-speed rail line between Bologna and Florence, which opens on Sunday, will reduce travel time to an incredible 37 minutes. Of the 78 kilometers, 73 kilometers consist of tunnels. During test runs in February of this year, the "Frecciarossa" reached a speed of 362 kilometers/hour, a world record inside of a tunnel.

The fare for this short hop is "merely" 24 Euros, which many will consider to be confiscatory. However, saavy travellers know that they can get between Bologna and Florence for merely 5.40 Euros, by taking two regionale trains which connect at Prato Centrale.

Looking at the matter from a different perspective, 24 Euros for the "Frecciarossa" on this route represents half the cost of taking a taxi from central Rome to Fiumicino airport, yet takes about the same time.