Hi could anyone please advise ?

I will be travelling to Italy on 1 June and am unsure if i should use my rail pass in italy since trains in Italy are relatively cheap.

I am also unsure if i should book from Trenitalia as i hear it is quite a hassel to do so. If i buy the tickets in Italy itself will the prices vary by a large amount from the online fare ? If i do book online, where can i collect my tickets ? Do i just print out an e ticket ?

The prices you buy online from Trenitalia will be the exact sames prices you would pay if you bought them in Italy (also from Trenitalia). The only advantage to buying online in advance would be if a discount fare were available for your route. Yes, you just print the ticket code if you do book online.

Hi sup,
Trenitalia offers Amica and Smart Price discounts. You can get them as late as the day before the train leaves.

Buying online can be a pain, as the clearing house for charges doesn't always accept US charge cards.

Trenitalia has revamped their discount scheme. Amica fares are no longer offered on AV or ES trains (except City).

There are new discounts but they require much advance purchase with the widest applicable 15% discount if purchased 7 days in advance. 30% and 60% discounts are also available for limited routes but these require min 15 and 30 day advance purchase, respectively.

Hi thank you all for your comments they really help.

Ira, i hear you are quite the expert on trains in italy, with train travel relatively cheap in italy i shouldn waste my rail pass on the trains here right instead save it up on the more expensive trains ?

Nibblette , thanks for the info, with such discounts is it advisable to book ahead then ?

What do you guys think. Also, if i use my parent's card to book, will i have to present the credit card at the station ?