Italy by Train

Rail Passes, Tickets and Discount Cards

For those travelers thinking of seeing Italy by rail, there are many options available. From stand alone tickets purchased at the station or on the train to discount cards for frequent use to rail passes with unlimited travel. In order to determine which option is right for you, first determine the length of your stay. Second, consider your itinerary and decide which mode of transportation makes the most sense for your party - keeping in mind that trains do not always connect the small villages. Lastly, figure out how much travel you plan on actually doing during your trip - some passes allow for unlimited travel in a number of days or even months.

Italy by Train: Italian Rail Point-to-Point Tickets

For travelers who don't plan on too much moving about during their stay in Italy, the Point-to-Point ticket option may be the best. This type of ticket allows 1st or 2nd class travel on Trenitalia domestic or international trains and is valid for up to 2 months. The Point-to-Point ticket does not cover seat reservations, sleeper cars, or upgrades to Eurostar Italia trains. Buying a ticket for travel in Italy has recently gotten easier with the advent of electronic tickets. The "Ticketless" option is now available for Eurostar, IC and IC Plus trains and can be purchased up to 10 minutes before departure. The electronic ticket is available for both 1st and 2nd class and available by the Internet or by phone. Going ticketless eliminates the need to wait in line at the ticket counters, or to risk not finding a seat on a reservation only train.

Italy by Train: Rail Discount Cards

Eurostar Club Railcard

For those who want to experience the best in Italian rail travel, The Eurostar Club Railcard offers exclusive services plus discounts and concessions in many hotels and theaters among other establishments for less than 100 Euro per year. The Cardholder is still responsible for paying any other expenses such as a reservation fee, on-board refreshments and car rental on arrival. This card also covers travel made on many regional trains but cannot be combined with other discounts.

Intercity Card

The Intercity Card allows travelers to collect points towards premium tickets and special offers. Points can be accumulated by Traveling in Italy on any of these trains: Intercity, Intercity Night, Express, Eurocity (Italy only) and Eurostar. The Family Intercity card allows travelers to register 3 extra cards for family members to help accumulate points even faster. Travelers with over 1000 points get upgraded to an Intercity Gold Card, which includes to the Eurostar Clubs found in many train stations

Verde Railplus card

This card, designed for younger travelers (under 26) offers discounts of 10% off 1st and 2nd class ticket prices as well as sleeper trains and couchettes, and 25% off international rail tickets. The Verde Railplus card is valid for one year and covers travel made on regional trains but does not cover reservation fees. As with other railcards offered, it cannot be combined with other discounts.

Argento Railcard

Specifically designed for senior travelers, the Argento Railcard offers a 15% discount on the price of first and second class tickets, plus a 10% discount on journeys made in sleeper trains and couchettes. This card is valid for one year, covers all regional service (not reservations) and is offered to travelers over 60. An upgrade to a lifetime membership card offers even better discounts of up to 40% off First class.

Blu Railcard

The Carta Blu is reserved for Italian residents with disabilities and is valid for 5 years. The Carta Blu allows a disabled person and a companion travel on one ticket, except on Eurostar trains or sleepers (a service charge ticket is required). These tickets must be purchased before boarding and must be accompanied by the railcar and valid I.D. The Carta Blu is only valid for travel within Italy.

Italy by Train: Rail Passes

For those planning on more extensive travel during your stay in Italy, one of the rail passes available is ideal. A rail pass can save you time, money and maybe your sanity in some of the big and incredibly busy stations in the major cities.

The Trenitalia Pass

The Trenitalia Pass is exclusively for non-Italian travelers. It allows travel in 1st or 2nd class on all Trenitalia trains throughout Italy. Travel must be completed in for 4-10 non-consecutive days within a two-month period. Supplements are required for Eurostar, sleeper trains or upgrades.

The Trenitalia Basic Pass offers both for 1st and 2nd class travel for adults with children under 12 entitled to a 50% discount. Trenitalia Youth Pass is designed for young people between 12 and 26 Traveling in 2nd class. Trenitalia Saver Pass offers both 1st and 2nd class travel for small groups of between 2 and 5 people.

InterRail - For residents of Europe

The InterRail pass is available to Europeans and residents of Turkey, Algeria Tunisia or Morocco. This pass offers unrestricted 2nd class travel in 29 European countries, excluding the pass holder's country of residence. The countries included in the InterRail system are divided into 8 zones: Italy is in Zone G with Greece, Turkey, Slovenia and Croatia. Where the pass is not valid, such as the holder's country of residence the InterRail pass entitles the holder to many reduced tickets and even discounts on bus and ferry service. InterRail passes can be bought in advance, up to three months before use and are available in different durations. A pass to travel in 1 zone is valid for 16 days, for 2 zones there are 22 days and a global pass includes all zones and is valid for one month.
InterRail passes are available in three types according to age: InterRail -12, for children from 4 until 12. InterRail -26, for young people between the ages of 12 and 26, InterRail 26+ is for adults 26 and upward. Like all rail passes available, additional services such as seat reservations, couchettes or sleeper cars must be purchases separately. Also, a supplement is need to when Traveling on higher quality trains or in 1st class. An upgrade fee is required to travel on Eurostar trains in Italy with the InterRail pass.

Eurail - for non-European travelers.

Eurail passes are very popular, especially for extended journeys in Europe. There are many passes available by the European railway network to non-Europeans to make rail travel hassle free and affordable. All versions of the Eurail passes allow either 1st or 2nd class travel on trains and ferries with some having rental car options available. The Eurail passes can be chosen depending upon the length of your stay: The Eurailpass is valid in all participating 17 countries; Eurail Selectpasses are valid in 3, 4 or 5 countries or the Eurail Regional Pass which is valid in 2 countries. All of these passes can be designed to allow the most travel flexibility, from a set number of travel days to 2 or 3 months of unlimited travel. It all depends upon what you need for your trip. All Eurail passes must be purchased before entering Europe and validated before or during the first use. The Eurail pass does not cover reservation fees or supplements for couchettes, sleeper cars, or Eurostar trains.

By Justin Demetri