I too am trying to purchase tickets for May but the site will not let me. I don't know whether its too early or not but no luck as yet. The website is www.trenitalia.com. (Click on the Union Jack for the english version. At least you will be able to get an idea of train times. All Hotels have different check in times - I've noticed some as early as 11.00am and some as late at 3.00p.m

thanks,stoke..I cannot get early morning in May tickets yet..frustrated,I went to a travel agent:she tried,only came up with late afternoon/evening..then was told had to be purchased 60 days in advance,no earlier..we'll see

It isn't necessary to buy these tickets before you get to Italy. There are lots of trains on these routes, and you can easily get the tickets from a train station or travel agent in Italy.

It's true that you usually can't see all the trains on any route if you're looking at a date far in the future. To get an idea of schedules, try a day next week. There may be *slight* changes once the summer schedules come out, but not usually anything major.

bvlenci,it's true even in May,when there are lots of tourists? 'cause I really must have a morning train!

There are 10 trains between Padova and Milan on a weekday morning between 6 and 12. I can't imagine any circumstance under which they would all be completely sold out several days in advance. There's even one regional train, which doesn't have reservations, although it's slow and you're not guaranteed a seat. However, it's not at rush hour, so you would almost certainly not have to stand. It's also the cheapest train.

By the way, you can check schedules on this site:

www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

Just don't put in dates more than a month or so in advance. Put in a date next week, just to get a general idea.

We come back to this subject over and over again.

Our friends from the States and Canada just cannot seem to imagine a rail network of frequent fast and efficient trains which run well below capacity.

Just believe it !!

Come to think of it knowing the shambles we have in the U.K. we can't believe it either !

Bob.

Trenitalia only wishes their trains were so full!

I totally agre with previous posts: trains in Italy are a marvel! Between any two destination it is impossible not to find a good train connexion, and usually there is at least one per hour! Unless you use a speed train (for which you must buy the ticket one day in advance) just show uo in the station 30 min in advance and you will have your ticket. May be more time will be needed in Rome and Milano central train stations since the queues are longuer.

I think that from any other European country (if you make a longuer tour) the local train Company will be able to sell you tickets for Italy, since all the train Companies are interconnected (I usually buy mine, in order to economise time, from the Romanian Train Company, about one month in advance, and they can sell tickets for every type of train in Italy)

thank you,everyone,for reassurances..I have travelled well many times by train from Rome,Naples,and Milan,but I've never been to Padua before,and wanted to be sure.So,again,thanks!