We're going to Italy in March and plan to travel:

From Rome to Florence
From Florence to Venice
From Venice to Lucerne, Switzerland

Should we wait until we get to Italy to buy our tickets? Or should we buy them online beforehand?

For your routes, you can wait till you arrive. You can buy all your tickets at once.

But you can book online in advance and get cheaper tickets. Then pick them up from a machine at the station.

I know that in some countries tickets are not available for purchase until 60 days before departure.

When we leave this spring, I may do what Wilees suggested, buy them in advance, print out the receipt and pick them up at the station. Or with your routes, you can probably wait which gives you more flexibility.

Good to know!

I would wait-tickets will be cheaper at the station a day or two before you travel and make sure you get a seat reservation in non-smoking section, if you buy tickets on sites such as DER travel, the rates are negotiated a year before and often are much higher than what is available locally. also ask for any discounts at the train station such as a senior discount. in italy there is a silver card for about 10-20$ that depending on your travel, can be a great savings.

I'm no expert but have just bought my tickets at the train station a few days before, or even day of, traveling.

Hi itilley, I too have always purchased train tickets for travel in Italy just a couple of days in advance. And note, I don't know about Switzerland but all trains in Italy are nonsmoking trains. Have a fun trip!

All trains in Switzerland have been non-smoking for at least a year.

Hi Lt,

>...tickets will be cheaper at the station..<

If you buy your tickets online in advance from www.trenitalia.com you might find 1cl 25E ES* tickets, which certainly won't be available a day or so ahead.

Have you looked at the train scedules between Venice and Lucerne? It's over 3
7:30 hr and there is only one direct train.

You might want to check flights at www.whichbudget.com