Riding Italian trains

Departure boards list the destination, not intermediate stops. Know the end of the line, not just where you're getting off.

The platform (binario) usually appears ten to fifteen minutes before departure. On big stations that leaves a real walk.

High-speed platforms at Bologna and Florence are underground. Allow seven minutes to get down there.

Most major stations now have ticket barriers. A mobile pass scans from the app.

With a mobile pass you add each journey in the Rail Planner app before boarding. Do it on the platform, not on the train.

Paper regional tickets must be stamped in the green machines before boarding. Passes do not.

Coach numbers are shown on the platform display and on the side of the carriage. Reserved seats are numbered.

Conductors check tickets in the first fifteen minutes. Have the app open and the pass loaded.

There are no weight limits and no check-in. Racks are above the seats and at the coach ends.

Frecciarossa coaches have large luggage bays by the doors — board early on busy routes to use them.

Left luggage (deposito bagagli) exists at major stations, around €6 for five hours.

Bikes need a €3.50 supplement on regional trains, or must be folded and bagged.

Pickpocketing happens at Termini, Napoli Centrale and on the Circumvesuviana. Bags in front of you, phones away from doors.

Water fountains on station concourses are free and drinkable — Italian tap water is excellent.

Trains run cold in summer. A long-sleeved layer is not optional.

Regional trains have no catering. Buy before you board.

Booking Italo by mistake — no pass is valid on it.

Taking the Leonardo Express instead of the pass-valid FL1 regional.

Assuming Venezia Mestre is Venice.

Leaving reservations to the last week and finding the pass quota gone.

Burning a travel day on a single short regional hop.