�1]

If there's no reservation needed for the specific train: You need to enter your trip to the app (mobile pass) or write it down (paper pass). Then just hop on the train.

.2]

There's a reservation fee for every long distance train (so if you have to change, you pay twice). It's 10 € for Frecce and 3 € for IC.

r3]

What type of pass should I buy? Should I buy a pass at all? 1st or 2nd class? Are all trains in Italy included?

l4]

https://shop.oebbtickets.at/en/ticket?cref=oebb-allgemein

Thank you!  

@3. NOT all=each&any train is included. trenItalia, the main big state operator (and often on strike) and treNord (local around Milano.

On the his-peed lines is also a private competitor, Italo, that does not accept passes and mostly offers lower normal fares. On several minor branch lines is also a local/regional operator-except perhaps those lines Napoli-Pompeii hardly of interest to the normal tourist.

However, if this is really the only trips to make I highly doubt if a pass is cost-effective-even on hi-speed fares in IT are not that high and you can only do short distances each time if this is indeed the only route to cover. BUT then that means booking fixed advance some time ahead-NOT yet now for summer possible and this gives many people the shrieks-all think its full when its effectively empty as not yet open. And it gives you no flexibilty to stay longer/shorter etc

IF you do not mind slower local trains and want to save: there is also a kind of Happy Italy pass for 3 or 5 days for 29 or 49€ for ONLY local treni on trenItalia and TPER (Emilia Romagna). This includes all, as these treni cannot RES. BUy locally when there-advance does not make any sense for this at all.

Hosts for rentals advised we purchase highspeed tickets as to not use all of our time in transit.  Having to make reservations ahead of time is a huge concern, as we would like to enjoy our time and not be tied to a schedule.  Would local trains be more of a hop on/hop off when we would like?  Are they much slower?  

On trains requiring reservations, do these trains typically have open seats even in June? 

How far in advance does one have to make a seat reservation?  

Is there a website with the Happy Italy pass info?

One person suggests one thing, & another something different.   I really don't know what to do. 

Thanks for any & all advice. 

That depends a lot on the route. Check timetables on www.trenitalia.com. Timetables for June are not there yet, but just try a few weeks from now on the same day of the week to get an idea. Change the default "main solutions” to "Regional” to see journeys with regional trains only.

Often they do, even on the day itself, unless it's a holiday weekend.

Usually 1 or 3 days in advance will suffice, unless it's a holiday weekend.

The pass is called "Italia in Tour”:

https://www.trenitalia.com/it/treni_regionali/promo-italia-in-tour.html

That page doesn't seem to be available in English. Use DeepL or Google Translate if you don't read Italian.

Using reservation compulsory fast or slower non-reservation regional trains will depend on the route, on some it will be a huge difference,others not so much.

To check what’s available for your plans use the trenitalia planner, it will list the departures and train types. Anything titled Frecce…  or InterCity requires €10 and €3 reservations in addition to Eurail pass. Trains marked R or RV are reservation free Regional trains.

https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html

The prices that show will be for buying tickets individually without passes.

The cheap Italian pass for regional/local trains only is called Italy-on-tour, not happy Italy, that is why you can’t find it, mcadv is often sloppy with his advice. Here is the page, it only exists on the Italian language version of the Trenitalia site so you will need to use translation. These tickets do not need to be bought in advance you can buy at station ticket offices/machines.

https://www.trenitalia.com/it/treni_regionali/promo-italia-in-tour.html