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Regional trains in Alto Adige/Italy: use of SAD-trains on FS lines

  • May 22, 2025
  • 5 replies
  • 232 views

Apparently InterRail-planner does not show regional trains on FS lines in Alto Adige, that are operated by SAD (e.g. Brennero-Bolzano-Merano). As SAD and FS are cooperating on these lines in a traffic and tarif cooperation it should be normal, that you could use either train (FS as well as SAD) also with an interrail-pass, If not, that would mean, that you would have a train only every second hour instead of each hour.

I understand, that Interrail is not accepted on Merano-Malles as this is now an SAD infrastructure. On the line of Val Pusteria (Fortezza-San Candido) it is less evident as this should still be an FS infrastructure but operated only by SAD trains (when not closed for works).

But I think, it should be accepted on Brennero-Bolzano-Merano.

I would be happy to have an answer about experiences in 2025!

Best answer by Angelo

Officially the regional trains operated by SAD are not included.

I used it some times and the staff accept it, but they have not to.

5 replies

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  • Keeps calm and carries on
  • May 23, 2025

@Jürgen Recknagel 

I don’t think that we can have “experiences”. A pass is valid or not valid, it is not a Schrödinger's cat, and it is better to know this before boarding the train to avoid problems.

I would directly contact the train companies to be sure.


Angelo
Railmaster
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  • Railmaster
  • Answer
  • May 23, 2025

Officially the regional trains operated by SAD are not included.

I used it some times and the staff accept it, but they have not to.


Forum|alt.badge.img+3
  • Keeps calm and carries on
  • May 23, 2025

@Angelo 

What happens if the staff don’t accept the pass? Is is possible to buy a ticket on the train without paying a fine?


Angelo
Railmaster
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  • Railmaster
  • May 23, 2025

@Angelo 

What happens if the staff don’t accept the pass? Is is possible to buy a ticket on the train without paying a fine?

you get a fine or if the staff is kind you can buy on bord a ticket with a 5€ fee.

I asked everytime before bording the staff.


Finally I travelled today and asked immediately after entering the train at Brennero the SAD staff which replied, my InterRail ticket with the manually inserted 10:38 train from Brennero to Merano is valid. No further control occured.

Later I was interviewed as a traveller by an agent of the Province of Alto Adige and finally explained him the problem with the SAD trains that are not shown in the RailPlanner App. He understood and promised to report this problem in order to get a solution. Would be fine...