It is very important to validate all Cinque Terre train tickets before you board the train. The passengers who board a train without a validated ticket, or with an irregular ticket, will be issued with a penalty fare of at least 50 euros.
How to validate train tickets bought at the station
Regional train tickets purchased at the station (paper tickets) have to be validated before boarding the train, using the green machines on the way to the platform. The green validating machines are usually located in the stairs on the way to the platforms. Insert the ticket into the slot and then slide the ticket to the far left. When you pull your ticket out you should see the date and time printed on the ticket.
Regional train tickets, up to 50 kilometers, are valid 75 minutes after validation. Anyway, if you buy a one-way train ticket with the Cinque Terre Express trains from for example Monterosso to Riomaggiore, you are not allowed to make a short stop in one of the villages in-between.
Tickets for high speed trains, such as Intercity, Frecciarossa and Frecciabianca, do not need to be validated as they always come with seat reservations, date and time.
Regional train tickets bought online requires an online check-in before departure
To validate your regional train tickets purchased online, you will have to check in before departure. Open the “My journeys” area in the Trenitalia App or website or open the link in the e-mail or text message you received and select “check-in”.
If you are a registered passenger, you can check in in the “My journeys” area on the Trenitalia website or app.
If you are not registered, you can check in using the function available in the e-mail or text message you received when you bought your ticket or on the Trenitalia app if you added and saved your Digital Regional Ticket in the “My Journeys-Saved Tickets” area.
Check-in is available starting at midnight on the day before your journey until the scheduled departure time of the train you selected upon purchase. The following message is displayed on the key: “Check-in and travel”. Once you have checked in, the message “validated” appears with a dynamic green bar to confirm that your ticket is validated. The Digital Regional Ticket is only valid for the train(s) for which you have completed check-in.
You can modify the travel date and departure time an unlimited number of times before 11:59 on the day before your journey.
You can modify the departure time an unlimited number of times before departure on the day of your journey if you have not checked in yet. You can no longer make changes once you have checked in. After checking in, you will receive a confirmation e-mail or, if requested, a text message.
When the ticket inspector is checking your ticket, on-board or at the platform, you will have to submit your Digital Regional Ticket with the dynamic green bar to prove you checked in. You must also submit a valid ID. The Digital Regional Ticket is in your name and personal and cannot be used by others.
If your train travels late and your Regional Digital Ticket expires, you can still complete your journey to your destination.
Do I have to validate the Cinque Terre Card?
No, the Cinque Terre Cards purchased online (e-tickets) must not be validated. Cinque Terre Cards bought at the station (paper tickets) come with date of validity and do not have to be validated. Before using the paper version of the card, the users name must be written on the back. Cards must be shown to the controller on the trains or platforms together with a valid identity document. The card will also be checked at the check-points on the hiking trails. The card is valid until midnight on the last day of validity.
