Validating a Train Ticket
As of 5th August 2023, Trenitalia tickets for regional trains that are purchased online need to be validated. This validation must be done before your train departs and you'll incur a fine if your ticket isn't validated. Please click here for instructions on how to validate your regional tickets.
Note that tickets for Trenitalia's high-speed trains do not need to be validated before boarding.
Validating a Rail Pass
On the first day of travel, all people listed on the pass must go to the ticket office of the train station and have a ticketing official validate the pass. This is also called "activating" a pass. The station official should put a stamp on the pass.
Please note that the pass must be validated at the station before boarding your train - a conductor on a train cannot validate the pass. If you do not validate the pass, or if you tamper with the pass in any way, the conductor has the right to confiscate it, at which time, the unused part of the pass is non-refundable.
High-speed trains in Italy require you to have a seat reservation booked in advance to boarding a train or you could be kicked out of the train. You can book your Highspeed seats in www.italiarail.com, just click in the search engine that you have a rail pass and book it.