Italian ticket validating machines

Whenever your traveling on the trains or buses across Italy, be sure to validate your ticket. At the entrance to every platform there is a yellow machine (or orange on the bus) that you slot your ticket into, which validates your journey with the time and date. If you accidentally forget to stamp your ticket or have ran to jump on the train, make sure you find the conductor straight away or you will be in for a hefty on the spot fine.

Buying train tickets can be a job in itself in Italy, so I would recommend buying your ticket before your journey, or arrive at the station early. Unfortunately getting onto the train without your ticket will just result in a fine, which can be a little harsh if the machines are not working or only one person is behind the counter?

A good tip for as a second choice is newsagents in train stations often sell tickets for buses and trains from behind the counter and will give you tickets based on the distance you're traveling. They only accept cash.