In Italy, some train tickets must be validated before you travel. For paper tickets, validation means getting a time stamp from a machine at the station. If you skip it when it’s required, you can be fined.
Key takeaways
- Paper regional tickets must be stamped in the station before boarding.
- Digital Regional Tickets (BDR) validate on their own at your train’s scheduled departure time.
- Reserved tickets (many high-speed and long-distance trains) are checked on board and don’t use station stamping.
- If all validators are broken, tell onboard staff as you board so they can validate your ticket without a surcharge.
Which tickets need station validation?
The main tickets that still need a station stamp are paper regional tickets bought at a ticket counter or self-service machine.
Trenitalia’s regional rules say paper regional tickets must be stamped before the train leaves. You can stamp them any time up to 23:59 on the date printed on the ticket. After stamping, the ticket is usually good for 4 hours. Local fares can differ.
Tickets that do not use station stamping include:
- Digital Regional Ticket (BDR): issued in your name and validated at the scheduled departure time of the train you picked.
- Electronic Regional Ticket (BER): a QR/PDF ticket tied to a chosen train time (no station stamp).
- Reserved tickets: checked on board with a booking code or QR code (no station stamp step).
Trenitalia: Regional tickets—use, validation and validity (PDF)
For BDR tickets, Trenitalia says the ticket validates itself at the train’s scheduled departure time.
Trenitalia: Digital Regional Ticket (BDR)
How to validate a paper regional ticket
- Find a validator near the platforms or station entrance (often yellow or green).
- Insert the ticket. The machine stamps the date and time.
- Check the stamp and keep the ticket until you leave your arrival station.
If all validators are out of service: go to onboard staff as you get on the train and ask them to validate your ticket. Don’t wait for an inspection.
What happens if you forget?
If you travel with an unstamped paper ticket that needs validation, staff may treat it as invalid. What happens next depends on the operator and the region. Often, you’ll pay a fine and the correct fare.
Tips
- Stamp first, then board: don’t leave it until the last second.
- Don’t stamp too early: the 4-hour clock starts when you stamp.
- Save your QR code: for digital tickets, keep the code easy to show (and keep your phone charged).
- Carry ID: name-based tickets can be checked against an ID.
FAQs
Do I need to validate every ticket?
No. Paper regional tickets usually need a station stamp. Digital regional tickets (BDR/BER) and reserved tickets usually do not.
How long is a stamped paper regional ticket valid?
For Trenitalia paper regional tickets, it is generally valid for 4 hours from stamping, unless a local fare sets a different window.
Where are the validation machines?
They’re usually near the platforms, station entrance, or ticket machines. Look for signs that say “Convalida/Validazione.”
What if the machines are broken?
If all station validators are out of service, tell onboard staff as you board so they can validate your ticket.
