4 Tips for Riding the Italian Rails

Creative Commons picture by *clairity*.

Riding the Italian railway system is like learning how to use hand grenades or trade stocks; if you can avoid the larger downsides in the beginning, you will be an expert in no time. Here are 5 tips to help you sidestep some of the worst problems.

4) Board and Disembark Swiftly

This Helps you Avoid:

Missing your train -or- Ending up in the wrong town

Explanation

In order to keep things moving, the trains stop for just long enough to let people jump on and off. Usually this means the train will be there for just a few minutes before heading on it’s way. At some of the smaller stations the train may only stop for 60 seconds.

Creative Commons picture by …†∆†¡∆µ∆ .

3) You Can Often Stash Stuff Behind Your Seat

This Helps you Avoid:

Lifting your airline-carry-on-size bag over a strangers head only to realize that it doesn’t stand a chance of fitting up there.

Explanation:

I don’t know why, but the overhead storage space on many of these trains is only big enough to store something about the size of a….head. If your bag is bigger than you noggin, try to snag one of the behind the seat spots. I missed them because they didn’t seem like they were designed for bags. Bags slide into these spots easily and don’t slide out until you want them to. Plus: no lifting.

2) Look Out for Pickpockets

This Helps you Avoid:

Waiting to get a replacement passport while calling all your banks

Explanation

It sucks to get pick-pocketed. These trains are often dense enough to give a pickpocket cover. Not to mention that you are probably carrying some valuable stuff when you travel. Luckily, most pickpockets can be foiled by keeping your wallet in a zipped pocket or looking really tough. I use a zipped pocket.

1) Validate Your Ticket

This Helps you Avoid:

Rather Hefty Fines

Explanation:

Before boarding your train you are required to validate your ticket by sticking it into one of the little yellow boxes on the platform. The box will just print a time stamp on your ticket. This shows that you aren’t trying to use your ticket for train ride after train ride. If you are caught using a not-yet-validated ticket, you can face some seriously annoying fines.

Bonus tip:

If the train may be crowded, consider getting a reservation with your ticket

This Helps you Avoid:

Having to stand during an entire train journey

Explanation

A “Ticket” doesn’t assure you a seat. It just means you are allowed to take a train. If a train is crowded you may find yourself standing the whole way.

To get a reserved seat, but a reservation (Prenotazione) as well. This does assure you a seat.