Trenitalia
Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) is the Italian state railway. FIP discounts only apply to its subsidiary Trenitalia.
Summary
- Reservation required (with surcharges) on long-distance trains
- Partial train binding for FIP 50 Tickets on regional trains
- No validity on FS subsidiaries (Trenord and Ferrovie Sud Est)
Validity of FIP Tickets
FIP Coupon: ✅
FIP Coupon for relatives: ✅ FIP 50 Tickets: ✅FIP Coupons and FIP 50 Tickets are valid on Trenitalia trains. For subsidiaries other than Trenitalia (e.g. Trenord, Ferrovie Sud Est), FIP discounts do not apply, even if trains display Trenitalia logos. Exception: TPER in Emilia-Romagna. See Regional trains in Emilia-Romagna
Train Categories and Reservations
Reservations (with surcharges) are mandatory on long-distance trains.
Le Frecce
Other Long-Distance
International Long-Distance
Regional Trains
Class Categories
Le Frecce long-distance trains have special class categories. 1
Standard: Comparable to 2nd class.
Premium: 1st class, 2–2 seating. In Frecciarossa 1000 includes welcome drink and snacks (except Saturdays). Requires a 1st class FIP pass. Business: 1st class, 2–1 seating. In Frecciarossa 1000 includes welcome drink and snacks (except Saturdays). Not bookable with FIP. Executive: Luxury class with private compartment for 10 people and meeting room. Not bookable with FIP.Ticket and Reservation Purchase
Online
On-site
On the train
If supplements are not purchased before travel, an additional on-board surcharge is applied (except where no sales points or ticket machines are available at the departure station).
Discounts
Children up to 4 years old travel free on public fares. On regional trains, children up to 12 years receive a 50% discount on the adult fare. From 12 years, the regular adult fare applies. On long-distance trains, children up to 15 years receive a 50% discount on the adult fare. From 15 years, the regular adult fare applies.
Special Tariff Conditions
Travel to Austria
On international long-distance trains from Italy to Austria, ÖBB FIP Coupons are also recognized in the Italian section (not on regional trains), but a supplement (as in other Italian long-distance trains) must be paid. This can be purchased on the train or at FS or ÖBB ticket counters.
Brenner – Bolzano – Verona
ÖBB or FS FIP Coupons are valid in the Italian section on EC
trains to Verona. For trips to/from Italy or entirely within Italy, a supplement of 10€ (2nd class) or 15€ (1st class) must be paid.
Railjet Tarvisio Boscoverde – Venice
ÖBB or FS FIP Coupons are valid in the Italian section on RJ
trains to Venice. For trips to/from Italy or entirely within Italy, a supplement of 10€ (2nd class) or 15€ (1st class) must be paid.
Regional trains in Emilia-Romagna
FIP discounts also apply to trains operated by Trenitalia TPER in Emilia-Romagna.
Strait of Messina Ferry
FIP discounts apply for crossing the Strait of Messina only if the journey is made by train using the train ferry from Villa San Giovanni to Messina.
Leonardo Express (Rome Fiumicino Airport Shuttle)
FIP discounts do not apply on the Leonardo Express to/from Rome Fiumicino Airport. Regular regional trains can be used as an alternative.
Trinacria Express (Palermo Airport)
FIP discounts do not apply on the Trinacria Express to/from Palermo Falcone Borsellino Airport.
International Frecciarossa trains to Paris
FIP discounts do not apply on international Frecciarossa trains between Paris and Italy.
Treni Touristici (Tourist Trains)
FIP discounts do not apply on Treni Touristici(Tourist Trains), even if operated by Trenitalia.
Buses and Replacement Services
Buses are excluded from FIP discounts, except when replacing a train where FIP would have been recognized (rail replacement services).
Break of Journey
Break of journey is not permitted on long-distance trains. On regional trains, break of journey is possible without notice or formalities, except for train-bound FIP 50 Tickets with printed train number (see Train binding in regional trains).
Train Binding in Regional Trains
On Italian regional trains (R
/RV
), tickets may be train-bound. This applies to FIP 50 Tickets, but not to FIP Coupons.
Regional trains are classified as train-bound (prenotabile) and not train-bound (non prenotabile). Train-bound trains may only be used with tickets issued specifically for that train.
Validation of Regional Train Tickets
Tickets for not train-bound regional trains (non prenotabile) must be validated at the platform (obliteratrici).
Recommendations
For long-distance travel, the FIP Coupon is only worthwhile to a limited extent, as the price difference between FIP 50 and Coupon for long-distance trains is minimal. The only exception is IC
connections, whose reservation is usually much cheaper. On regional trains, the Coupon can be fully used. As 1st class is rarely available on these trains, a 1st class Coupon is usually not worthwhile.
Sources
