Trains: regional ones are cheap and fixed, fast ones reward early booking

Regional trains ("Regionale") have fixed prices and no need to book ahead, which makes them perfect for day trips: Florence–Pisa, Rome–Orvieto, Milan–Lake Como. For the high-speed Frecciarossa and Italo trains between big cities, prices rise sharply close to departure, so book two or three weeks out. Validate paper regional tickets in the green machine before boarding; a ticket that isn't stamped can mean a fine.