Italy rail distance costs

Any tips for buying point-to-point train tickets in Italy?

If a rail pass doesn't pencil out for your trip, you may be able to shave off the cost of your train tickets — or at least some of the hassle — with some of these tips:

• Avoid train-station ticket lines whenever possible by using the ticket machines found in station halls.
• If you do use the ticket windows, be sure to stand in the correct line.
• You can buy train tickets (and make seat reservations) at major travel agencies in Italian city centers, reserving several key trains at one stop. The cost is only a little more, it can be more convenient (if you find yourself near a travel agency while you're sightseeing), there are no crowds, and the language barrier can be smaller than at the station's ticket windows.
• Advance-purchase discounts are available online for reserved, medium-speed and faster trains (but not regional trains), and come in three price levels: "Super Economy" (up to 75 percent off), "Economy," and "Base" (full, unrestricted) fare. Privately owned Italo trains have similar advance-purchase rates between major cities.
• Seniors (60 and older) can buy a Carta d'Argento (€30; free if 75 or older), which gives holders a 15 percent discount on most train tickets.
• Youths (25 and younger) can buy a Carta Verde (€40), which gives holders a 10 percent discount on most train tickets.
• If traveling with kids, ask for the "Offerta Familia" deal when buying tickets at a counter (or, at a ticket machine, choose "Yes" at the "Do you want ticket issue?" prompt, then choose "Familia"). While the deal doesn't apply to all trains at all times, with this discount families of three to five people with at least one kid (age 12 or under) get 50 percent off the child fare, and 20 percent off the adult fare. You may also see a "Bimbi Gratis" offer: One child age 5–15 free per adult who pays the full base fare. (Even without these deals, kids ages 3 and under travel free on Italian trains; ages 4–11 ride for half price on regional trains — and the half-price deal extends up to and including age 14 on long-distance Italian trains.)
• Get even more advice on Italian trains in my full-length guidebooks for Italy: Rick Steves Italy, Rick Steves Rome, Rick Steves Venice, or Rick Steves Florence & Tuscany.

Green and Silver Cards with Railplus discount

  

With the Green and the Silver Card with Railplus discount young and senior can travel saving!

Green Card

The Green Card ("Carta Verde") with Railplus discountis for young people from 12 to under 26 years and costs 40 euro. It allows discounts of: 

• 10% off Base fares (first and second class) on all national trains, including wagon lits and couchette, on service levels Business, Premium and Standard
• 25% off on international connections

Silver Card

The Silver Card ("Carta d'Argento") with Railplus discount is for customers over 60 years and costs 30 euro (free for customers of 75 years and over). It allows discounts of 

• 10% off wagon lits and couchettes, 
• 15% off the Base Fares (first and second class) on all national trains and on service levels Business, Premium and Standard 
• 25% off with the Railplus discount on international connections. 

Both the Green and Silver Cards can be bought at the station ticket desks and from the authorized travel agencies in Italy. 

Note: you must present a valid id or passport.

How to buy with the discount cards

To buy with the discount cards, after choosing your train, you have to proceed in the following way: 

• Click on “see other prices and services” in the Choice of travel page
• In the next page “customize trip” select in the price column "Carta Verde Railplus" or "Carta Argento Railplus" , digit the card number and go to the payment.

Validity

The cards are valid for one year, are nominative and must be shown together with the reduced-fare ticket during the journey. Please note that it is not possible to buy discounted tickets for a date that is after the Card's expiry date. 

In the event of loss, theft and destruction of the Card, by presenting a suitable documentation proof, you can request issuance of a duplicate by paying € 5,00 as cost refund (to customers who have reached 75 years of age, the duplicate is issued free of charge). 
No refunds are allowed.