For the best prices, book direct with the train operator as far ahead as possible. Tickets usually go on sale 120 days before travel, and the cheapest tickets often sell out quickly. Prices keep going up as the travel date gets closer. Fares never go down.

You have a choice: if you book the cheapest fares, you do not have flexibility. If you miss your train, the ticket is worthless. With Economy fares (but not Super Economy), you can change your booking until the day before travel, but have to pay the difference between your cheap fare and the normal full price. Or you can buy just before travel, in which case you will pay the full price.

Book with www.lefrecce.it or with the new competitor www.italotreno.it/EN

None of the above discussion applies to Regionale trains. For these trains, it is absolutely pointless trying to buy tickets in advance over the Internet. These trains have no seat reservations (so tickets cannot sell out) and no discounts. Buy the tickets in Italy.

Regionale tickets bought in Italy can be used on any Regionale service for the journey purchased. Before you get on the train, you must time-stamp the ticket in a machine at the station. Tickets for other trains are valid on only one train, and do not need to be time-stamped.