Paperless train travel in Italy

Most Italian trains offer "paperless" tickets. You'll simply get a code to show the ticket inspector, no printer required!

Paperless tickets can be presented on a smartphone or other mobile device, or printed out if you prefer - just make sure the code is legible.

Choosing your delivery method

Anyone can book paperless travel, regardless of location, and there's no delivery charge or risk of tickets getting lost in the post. They may be referred to as "ticketless" on other websites.

When you search trains, "Paperless" will appear as the delivery method on the Ticket Details page:

A few trains in Italy don't yet offer paperless tickets e.g. regional trains and some international services. For these, you will be offered print-at-home tickets.

Receiving your ticket code

When your booking is complete, you'll receive an email confirming your itinerary and ticket details.

The email also contains a 6-character reference, called a PNR (Passenger Name Record), which is your paperless ticket code. It must be presented to the ticket inspector on the train.

Travelling with paperless tickets

Paperless tickets mean that you won't have a physical ticket to present on the train. Just show the code in your confirmation email to the ticket inspector.

Paperless tickets can be presented on a smartphone or other mobile device, or printed out if you prefer - just make sure the code is legible.

Before travel, you should make a note of your reference number, train times and seat numbers in case you have trouble with battery or signal.

The conductor cannot access your reservation without the code, for example searching by your name or Loco2 order reference, so you must have the reference before your board the train. Travellers without a valid reference may be liable to pay a fine or purchase new tickets.

If you have purchased return tickets, the PNR reference supplied in your booking confirmation email will be the same for your outbound and inbound journeys.

We have had a few isolated incidences where Swiss ticket agents have not recognized paperless Trenitalia references at the station. Please note that you do not need to show this reference to Swiss staff at the station nor do you need to collect anything at the station. Trenitalia staff will check your ticket on your international train.

Do I need to validate my tickets?

It is not necessary to validate tickets at the station since paperless journeys are bound to a specific time, date and train.

If you have a paper ticket that has been collected from a self-service machine, you may be required to validate your ticket prior to travel. Please see our Help article Validating tickets at the station.