How to get & use paperless train tickets in Italy

Paperless train tickets In Italy are very common. Instead of a paper ticket, you'll simply get a code to show the ticket inspector. No printer is required!

You can present paperless train tickets on a smartphone or other mobile device, or you can simply write the reference down. Of course, you can always print it out too, and we always recommend a hard copy backup. Just make sure the code is legible.

Check-in procedures/Ticketing information

For paperless printing mode, clients departing from Rome (Roma Termini), Milan (Milano Centrale) and Florence (Firenze SMN) must provide printed documentation. Rail Europe can provide the requested printed tickets. You can contact us https://www.raileurope.com/en/contact/new to request the same. Travelers can also visit Casa Italo before boarding to have a copy of their ticket printed by Italo staff. Attention failing to do so might prevent the clients from boarding the train.

It is required to show security a copy of the ticket, prior to boarding at these stations.

Except for the stations mentioned above, there are no check-in or customs procedures before boarding Italo‘s trains. Ticket control and ID checks can occur randomly on board.

Choosing your delivery method

After you search for trains, go to the Ticket Details button, and you will see an option for paperless tickets:

A few trains in Italy don't yet have paperless tickets. For these, you will be offered print-at-home tickets.

Your booking confirmation email, order details page and Rail Europe account all contain your 6-character reference, called a PNR (Passenger Name Record), which is your paperless ticket code. This is what you'll present to the ticket inspector. Your name or Rail Europe details aren't enough; without the PNR, you could be fined.

Passengers simply board the train and quote or show the PNR to the conductor, except when boarding in Rome, Florence and Milan, printed documentation is required.

When you buy a return ticket, the PNR will be the same for both outbound and inbound journeys.

We have had a few isolated incidences where Swiss ticket agents have not recognized paperless Trenitalia references at the station. Please note that you do not need to show this reference to Swiss staff at the station nor do you need to collect anything at the station. Trenitalia staff will check your ticket on your international train.

Do I need to validate my tickets?

You don't need to validate paperless tickets. If you have a paper ticket that has been collected from a self-service machine, you may be required to validate your ticket prior to travel.