Travel Advice/Travel Tips - Train travel - Validating your train ticket

In some European countries (Italy, for example) after you have purchased your train ticket, it is necessary to validate it using machines located  around the station.

• Usually placed on top of a red or yellow pole, these machines validate your ticket for a period (usually one day) during which it must be used.
• If you buy your ticket the day before you plan to depart, do not validate it until the day of departure.
• Simply slide your ticket into the machine and it will either imprint a time stamp of punch your ticket in a code meaningful to the train conductor.

During your train trip, the conductor will examine your ticket for validation and is empowered to assess a fine if you have not validated your ticket. The purpose of the validation is to make sure that tickets are not reused by other travelers.

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