Train advice from the Man in Seat 61...

The Man in Seat 61

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A beginner's guide to

Train travel in italy.

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Ride the trains in Italy from €9.90

There's no better way to see the cities of Italy than by train, trains link almost every town & city of any size, centre to centre.  Driving & parking in Italian cities is not recommended.  The high-speed trains are now faster, more convenient & more relaxing than flying (between 2008 & 2018, the airlines' share of the Milan-Rome market dropped from 50% to just 14%!).

Rome to Florence takes just 1h32 at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) & costs from €19.90, Rome to Venice 3h45 from €29.90, Rome to Naples 1h12 from €19.90, Rome to Milan 2h55 from €29.90.

No check-in, no need for transfers to/from out-of-town airports, no baggage fees or weight limits.  There are even trains to Sicily !

  Buy tickets online

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How to reach specific places

Station guides

City maps showing stations

International trains to & from Italy

Other useful information

Useful country information

How to check train schedules & fares.

Check train times & fares within Italy using any of the websites shown here .

Some major cities have more than one main station, see which station to use in which city .  If you're not sure, most websites allow you to select the plain city name, or any station .

Maps of the Italian rail network

How to buy tickets, do you need to buy in advance.

Regional trains, no

For example, Pisa to Florence, Florence to Lucca or Siena, Milan to Como or Tirano, Venice to Trieste.

There's no need to buy in advance and no cost advantage in doing so as the price is fixed, buying online or in an app just saves time at the ticket office.  There are no assigned seats, you sit where you like.  In most cases tickets are sold in unlimited numbers so the train can't sell out, although regional trains on a few routes now have limited numbers.

Since August 2023, online tickets for regional trains work in a fiddly but flexible way, learn more about regional (R) & regional express (RV) trains and how regional tickets work .

Long-distance trains, yes

For example, Venice to Florence or Rome, Rome to Naples or Turin, Milan to Venice.

All seats on Frecciarossa , Frecciargento , Frecciabianca & InterCity trains are reserved, so they can in theory sell out.  However, as there are so many trains each with hundreds of seats there are almost always places available on most trains even just before departure. So you can buy at the station on the day if you want. The issue is price.  Trenitalia ditched the old fare-per-kilometre approach to pricing in 2009 and adopted airline-style dynamic pricing for advance-purchase fares whilst increasing the fully-flexible Base price.  So on the day of travel you'd pay the Base fare, Rome-Florence €55, Rome-Venice €99, but if you book in advance you can buy a cheap Economy or Super-Economy fare from as little as €19.90 Rome-Florence or €29.90 Rome-Venice, assuming you're OK with limited or no refunds or changes to travel plans.  It's your call!

When does booking open?

Booking opens up to 4 months ahead, but this varies

It can shrink to as little as 30 days for dates immediately after Europe-wide timetable changes on the 2nd Saturday in June and the second Saturday in December.

If some trains are shown, but others are missing...

Trenitalia loads trains in blocks, usually high-speed trains first and regional, InterCity & sleeper trains later.  I've seen high-speed trains loaded, but not regional trains.  I've seen regional trains loaded, but not high-speed trains.  Intercity trains to Sicily and ICN sleeper trains usually get loaded last, after other trains.  The Milan-Sicily night train usually gets loaded last of all!

So if you don't see all the trains you expect to see, don't assume that the missing trains have all been mysteriously cancelled, assume they haven't been loaded yet.  Wait!

Types of fare

This is the fully-flexible fare for Trenitalia's high-speed Frecce & intercity trains, it's what you'd pay at the station on the day.  Refundable, only valid on the train booked but can be changed before departure or at the station up to an hour after departure.  The Base fare was originally one fixed price for a given journey, but since 2017 the Base fare for Frecciarossa & Frecciargento trains can vary slightly by day of the week or the popularity of each particular train.

Economy & Super-Economy

These are cheaper advance-purchase fares for Trenitalia's high-speed Frecce & intercity trains, only valid on the train booked, limited refunds & changes, limited availability, these are the fares you want for cheap travel if you are certain what time train you want.  The price varies like air fares, cheaper in advance and on less popular dates, more expensive close to departure and on busy days or times of day.

Speciale Frecce

An ultra-cheap advance purchase fare for Trenitalia's high-speed Frecce & intercity trains, must be bought at least 14 days ahead.  No refunds, no changes, use it or lose it.  But it's cheap!

A small group fare for 3-5 people.  Limited availability, price varies.  No refunds, no changes, use it or lose it.

Senior & FrecciaYoung

These can only be bought if you have Trenitalia's Cartafreccia railcard which you probably haven't, so ignore these.  When you select them it immediately asks for your Cartafreccia card number, so you can't buy them by mistake!

This is the normal fare for regional trains.  It's fixed-price, you can buy a ticket at that price even on the day.  As of 2023, online regional tickets are only good for the specific train you've selected, but you can change the date or time of departure free of charge up to 23:59 on the day before departure, and you can change the time of departure until 23:59 on the day of travel.  Ordinaria tickets are available in unlimited numbers on most regional trains, although there are now some regional trains where the ticket numbers sold are limited, see more about how regional (R) & regional express (RV) trains are ticketed .

Option 1, buy at Italiarail.com

You can buy Trenitalia tickets at www.italiarail.com in €, £, $, Ca$ or Au$ - to book in US$ click here .

ItaliaRail are a well-established US-based agency who link directly to Trenitalia's ticketing system.  They don't sell tickets for Italo .

Italiarail books the same trains as Trenitalia's own website, but in plain English with no quirky translations.  You can use familiar English place-names such as Venice or Florence.

Italiarail shows a whole day's trains in the search results and can book up to 20 people at a time.  Trenitalia's own website only shows a couple of hours-worth of trains at a time and can only book up to 5 people at a time.

For en extra €2 you can choose your seats from a seat map on Trenitalia high-speed & intercity trains, making sure you all sit together.

Italiarail can be cheaper than Trenitalia for 2 or more people travelling together as it is capable of combining (for example) the last remaining €19.90 ticket with a ticket at the next price level up, say €29.90.  Trenitalia.com cannot mix & match price levels within the same booking, so will offer 2 x €29.90 even if there is one €19.90 fare left.  For family groups the cost saving can be significant.

High-speed & intercity trains are ticketless, you simply print your booking reference or show it on your phone.  For regional trains you print your own ticket, show them in an app or in some cases collect it from the self-service machines at a Trenitalia station.

Tip:   Italiarail charge a €3.50 booking fee, but they'll refund this if you email them at [email protected] quoting your booking reference.

Option 2, buy at Thetrainline.com

Thetrainline also connects to Trenitalia's system to sell tickets in plain English at the same prices as Trenitalia, in €, £, $, Ca$ or Au$, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.

For an extra €2, you can choose your seats from a seat map on Trenitalia high-speed & intercity trains.

Thetrainline.com has two key advantages:

First, it sells tickets for Italo as well as Trenitalia, so you can compare times & prices for both operators.

Second, it also links to the French, Spanish, Swiss, German, Austrian & Benelux national ticketing systems so you can book train tickets across much of western Europe together all in one place.

High-speed & intercity trains are ticketless, you simply print your booking reference or show it on your phone.  For regional trains you print your own ticket, can show them in an app or in some cases collect them from the self-service machines at a Trenitalia station.  Who are Thetrainline.com?

Option 3, buy at Raileurope.com

You can also buy Trenitalia & Italo tickets at www.raileurope.com , also in plain English with prices in €, £ or $, small booking fee.  It also connects to the French, German, Austrian, Spanish, British ticketing systems (but not the Swiss) so can sell train tickets for much of western Europe all in one place.  Again, high-speed & intercity trains are ticketless so you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone, for regional trains you usually print your own ticket or collect tickets from the self-service machines at any main Trenitalia station.  Who are Raileurope.com?

Option 4, buy at Trenitalia.com

You can of course buy Italian train tickets direct from Italian Railways at www.trenitalia.com , English button at the top, only in €, no booking fee.  It's pretty easy to use but you'll need to use Italian-language place names and it has a few quirky translations & processes especially when booking sleepers or international trains so see the step-by-step guide below .

High-speed & intercity trains are ticketless, you print your booking reference or show it on your phone, other tickets can be printed or collected at any main Italian station from the self-service machines .  It also offers seat selection for €2 on high-speed & intercity trains.

For 2 or more people travelling together, you may find ItaliaRail cheaper, see option 1 above.  Obviously, they don't sell tickets for their competitor Italo , or for other European trains outside Italy.

Buying tickets at the station

It's easy to buy tickets at the station on the day of travel, even if you don't speak Italian.  You can buy at the staffed ticket office counters, but you may have to queue. It's usually much quicker to use one of the many Self service machines installed at all main stations, these have a touch screen with an English language facility, see an illustrated guide to using the ticket machines .

The machines sell both regional and long-distance tickets including seat reservations for long-distance trains (but unfortunately not Interrail or Eurail passholder reservations), for any date you like in the next 90 days.  They take Visa & MasterCard, but your card needs to have a PIN code.

Tip:   You can also buy or change tickets or make passholder reservations for Trenitalia trains leaving in the next half hour or so at any of the little mobile Last Minute desks (servizi last minute) on the concourse.  Much quicker than queuing at the ticket office!

Trains seldom sell out, finding tickets even on the day of travel isn't a problem unless you hit a major holiday period.  If one train is full, the next will have seats.  Just remember that high-speed & Intercity trains are cheaper booked in advance, just like flights.  If you buy on the day, you will have to pay the 'Base' fare , in other words the top tier flexible price.

How to buy international tickets

The easy way

The easiest option is to use either www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com as they can book most international journeys to/from Italy.

Both sites connect to the Trenitalia, SNCF (French), SBB (Swiss), ÖBB (Austrian) and DB (German) ticketing systems so they can book most routes to/from Italy including any Italian domestic connecting trains.

They're very easy to use, you can book in €, £ or $, international credit cards are no problem.  There's a small booking fee.

Thetrainline.com allows you to select seats from a seat map on Trenitalia's high-speed & Intercity trains, and on French TGVs in 1st class.

For more specific information on international trains from Italy to other European cities and how to book them, click on your starting city:

Rome   Naples   Florence   Venice   Milan

The advanced way

Alternatively, you can book with the relevant operator, usually with no booking fee, but you need to know which operator runs which route.  You'll often need to book any connecting trains separately, as most operators can't book each other's trains.

To/from Switzerland

The direct EuroCity trains between Milan and Brig, Lausanne, Geneva, Lugano, Luzern, Bern, Basel & Zurich can be booked at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com .  Italiarail will refund their small booking fee if you email them at [email protected] after booking.

Both sites can book from anywhere in Italy to any Swiss station that is directly served by the EuroCity trains from Milan.  But they can't book onward tickets within Switzerland such as Brig to Zermatt, Arth-Goldau to Luzern or Spiez to Interlaken, so buy those separately from Swiss Railways at www.sbb.ch .

To/from Paris

The Frecciarossa trains between Milan/Turin & Lyon/Paris can be booked at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com .  Both sites can book from anywhere in Italy to Lyon or Paris.  However, they can't book onward French trains to other French cities (or to London or Brussels) so you'll need to book those separately at www.sncf-connect.com .

The French TGV trains between Milan, Turin & Paris can be booked at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com with no booking fee.  It allows you to choose a seat from a seat map in 1st class, too.  However, it cannot book connecting Trenitalia trains within Italy, so you'll need to book those separately at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com .

To Nice, Cannes, Monaco or Marseille

First book from anywhere in Italy to Ventimiglia (on the French border where Trenitalia's trains terminate) at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com .  Trenitalia can't sell an onward French ticket, so buy your onward ticket from Ventimiglia to any French destination at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com .  There's more about the Italy-Nice route on the Italy to Nice page .

To Innsbruck, Munich & Germany by daytime trains

The EuroCity trains between Bologna/Venice/Verona and Innsbruck or Munich can be booked at the German Railways website int.bahn.de with no booking fee, this can book tickets from the EuroCity train's starting stations to anywhere in Germany, but it cannot book connecting Trenitalia trains within Italy (at least not in their main system with through fares), so book those separately at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com .

To Vienna by daytime trains

The railjet trains between Venice and Vienna can be booked at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at with no booking fee, this can book tickets from Venice to anywhere in Austria, but it cannot book connecting Trenitalia trains within Italy, so book those separately at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com .

To Munich & Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train

The Nightjet sleeper trains between Rome, Florence, Genoa, Milan, Venice and Munich or Vienna can be booked at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at , but this can't book connecting trains within Italy, so book those separately at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com .

Back to top

CartaFRECCIA loyalty scheme

CartaFRECCIA is Trenitalia's loyalty scheme, free to join.

For most visitors, there's not much point in applying as you probably won't clock up enough points to make it worth it.  Basically, €1 spent = 1 point. 300 points = €10 off a train journey.  So only worth considering if do lots of train travel, perhaps on multiple trips to Italy.

However, if you are under 30 or over 60 , becoming a CartaFRECCIA member allows you to buy the cheap FrecciaYOUNG & FrecciaSENIOR fares for Frecciarossa & Frecciargento trains and the Young & Senior fares for Frecciabianca , Intercity and Intercity Notte trains.

But here's a reality check:  If you're booking a month or more in advance, a normal advance-purchase Super-Economy fare without any youth or senior discount is often cheaper than the FRECCIAyoung/FRECCIAsenior fare.  So again, it may not be worth applying.

Only if travelling in the next few weeks when normal advance-fares have risen in price do the CartaFRECCIA youth/senior fares save money.  But the CartaFRECCIA youth/senior fares must be bought at least 5 or 6 days in advance, so aren't any good for very short notice flexible travelling.

So before wasting your time applying for a CartaFRECCIA card, do some dummy bookings and compare the senior/youth prices with the normal Economy & Super-Economy fares.  Is it worth it?

CartaFRECCIA points and youth/senior fares do not apply to regional trains, only Frecce & Intercity.

How to get a CartaFRECCIA card

The normal sign-up process requires an Italian address, but foreigners may apply for a CartaFRECCIA card like this:

Go to www.trenitalia.com/.../condizioni_di_adesioneedutilizzodellecarte.html (please let me know if that link stops working)

It's in Italian, so right-click in a Chrome browser to translate to English or use Google Translate. 

Expand section 2 and follow the process for registration of customers residing abroad in paragraph 2.3.

Basically, you fill out a form and email it to them.

You will receive an email with sign-in details to your digital card with 45 days of applying.

Using a CartaFRECCIA card

You can use a CartaFRECCIA card when booking at raileurope.com , thetrainline.com or trenitalia.com , but not italiarail.com .

Railpasses for Italy

Interrail & eurail passes.

Global & one-country passes

You can buy an Interrail pass (if you live in Europe, including the UK) or a Eurail pass (if you live outside Europe) giving unlimited travel on all Trenitalia trains all over Italy.  An Interrail/Eurail global pass covers most of Europe including Italy, a cheaper one-country pass only covers Italy.

Interrail & Eurail passes cover all Trenitalia trains, high-speed, intercity, Intercity Notte and regional.  They don't cover Italo trains , or some small railways such as the Circumvesuviana Railway Naples-Sorrento.

Reservation fees

Interrail & Eurail passholders must reserve seats to travel on Frecciarossa , Frecciargento & Frecciabianca trains, this costs €13 in addition to the cost of the pass.  The reservation fee for Intercity trains is €3.  For Intercity Notte sleeper trains , see the reservation fees here .

You can make passholder reservations online as explained in the Italy section of the Interrail & Eurail reservations page .  You can also make them at stations, but at  the staffed counters only, not the self-service machines.  Passholder reservations cannot be made at Trenitalia.com.

Pass or point-to-point tickets?

The cost of reservation fees must be factored into the cost of a pass when comparing with point-to-point tickets.  All the point-to-point prices that you see online include any necessary reservation.

You must then realise that there are two types of point-to-point fare:  Cheap advance-purchase fares and the more expensive fully-flexible Base fare.

If all your dates and journeys are set in stone a month or two ahead, it's usually cheaper to buy advance-purchase Super-Economy or Economy fares.  For example Venice to Florence starts at €19.90, Venice to Rome starts at €29.90, seat reservation included.  A typical Interrail or Eurail pass might work out as €55 per day + €13 reservation fee = €68.

But advance-purchase fares vary like air fares, rising as departure date approaches, higher for busy or popular days or dates.  So you'll only know for sure if you go online and see what the point-to-point prices are for your specific journeys on your specific dates of travel.

Then remember that these cheap advance-purchase fares commit you to a specific train with limited or no changes to travel plans or refunds.  A pass gives you the flexibility to go wherever and whenever you like, you should really compare the pass with the fully-flexible Base fare you'd pay at the station on the day.

Even so, if you only plan to make relatively short hops such as Venice-Florence one day, Florence-Rome next day, Rome-Naples the next, the Base fare is often still cheaper than the per-day cost of a pass.  You basically need to be doing longer trips such as Venice-Rome or Milan-Naples every day, or multiple trips per day such as Rome to Florence and back again, to make a pass pay.  However, passes get cheaper if you are under 28 and children get free passes, so it's still worth doing the maths.  Youth passes can indeed make financial sense for a typical tour of Italy.

More about Interrail passes, with prices .  More about Eurail passes, with prices .  More about what these passes cover .

The Trenitalia Pass

Trenitalia also sell their own railpass called the Trenitalia Pass.  It can be bought by anyone resident outside Italy.

How is it different from a Eurail or Interrail pass?

Unlike Interrail & Eurail, it only covers Trenitalia high-speed, Intercity & Intercity Notte sleeper trains.  It doesn't cover regional trains. 

Unlike Interrail & Eurail it doesn't give you unlimited travel, you buy a specific number of journeys (3, 4, 7 or 10 trips) to be made within a set period of days, where a journey = one ride on one train.  If you went Rome to Florence in the morning and back in the evening, that's 2 trips on a Trenitalia Pass, but would be covered by just one day on an Interrail or Eurail pass.

But on the plus side, unlike Interrail & Eurail there are no extra fees to pay for reservations, it's all included.

Is a Trenitalia Pass cheaper than a Eurail or Interrail pass?

A Trenitalia Pass for a given number of trips is significantly cheaper than a global Interrail or Eurail pass covering the same number of days.

A Trenitalia pass is about the same price as a one-country Interrail or Eurail pass for Italy covering the same number of days, but as you don't need to pay €10 for every reservation, the Trenitalia pass works out cheaper.

That assumes you plan to use only one train per day.  A 4-journey Trenitalia Pass gives 4 individual train rides, a 4-day Interrail/Eurail gives unlimited rides, as many as you can cram in over 4 days .   If you're going to use multiple trains per day, an Interrail/Eurail pass is a better deal.

Is a Trenitalia Pass cheaper than point to point tickets?

A Trenitalia Pass saves money over the fully-flexible Base fare even for a series of short hops such as Rome-Florence, Florence-Venice, Venice-Milan, especially if you are under 28 so qualify for the youth pass.  But if you can book a few months in advance and don't need any flexibility, a no-refunds no-changes advance-purchase Super-Economy fare can still be cheaper than a Trenitalia Pass, check prices before buying a pass.

Trenitalia passes come in 4 sizes:

3 journeys within 7 consecutive days;

4 journeys within 7 consecutive days;

7 journeys within 15 consecutive days;

10 journeys within 30 consecutive days.

Trenitalia passes come in 2 classes:

Easy - good for 2nd class, standard class on Frecciarossa , seats or couchettes on Intercity Notte trains .

Comfort - good for 1st class, business class on Frecciarossa , seats, couchettes or double or triple sleepers on Intercity Notte trains trains.

Executive for executive class has been discontinued.

Trenitalia passes come in 3 passenger types:

Adult - up to 2 children under 12 can be added to an adult pass for free (but infants under 4 go free anyway, of course)

Youth - anyone under 28 on day of purchase.

Senior - anyone over 60 on day of purchase.

For more details and all the small print, see www.trenitalia.com and look for Trenitalia Pass .

How to buy a Trenitalia pass

You don't need to specify dates when buying a Trenitalia pass, you can book your first train for travel on any date up to 11 months afterwards.

Go to the www.trenitalia.com home page and switch it to English top right. 

Click Advanced search above the journey planner.  Click Carnet .  Then look for & click Trenitalia pass .

After buying the pass, you're emailed your pass number.  The pass is entirely electronic.

Tip:   I recommend registering for an account at Trenitalia.com before buying a pass.  Log into your account before buying.

How to book trains with a Trenitalia Pass

Seat reservations are needed on each train, but they are free and can be made online at Trenitalia.com or at stations.

Go to the www.trenitalia.com home page and switch it to English top right.

Click Advanced search above the journey planner.  Click Carnet .  Then click Trenitalia pass.  Then click Book .

Enter you pass number, first & last name of the passholder, hit Confirm and book a train with your pass.

The pass validity period starts ticking from the date of the first train you book.  So don't book your second train first then try to book another train for the previous day, that won't work.  You must book your trains in the order you'll take them!

Reservations have the same change conditions as a Base fare.  So you can cancel or change a reservation any time up to 60 minutes after the departure of the train.  If you don't do that, 60 minutes after departure that journey is considered 'used up' even if you missed the train.

When travelling, the pass can be shown on your phone or printed out.

Feedback from buying & booking trains using a Trenitalia pass would be appreciated, as without buying a pass I cannot test the process myself.

Italia In Tour , for regional trains

Italia In Tour passes are available for 3 or 5 consecutive days unlimited travel on Trenitalia regional trains all over Italy .

Good for any Trenitalia regional, regional express & metropolitan train.  But not valid (1) between La Spezia & Levanto through Cinque Terre, (2) within the territory of Lombardy, (3), the provinces of Bolzano and from Trento to Bassano del Grappa.  It can't be used on other operators' trains such as Trenord, so not valid between Milan & Tirano, for example.

It'd be ideal for a series of day trips from Florence to Siena, Luca, Pisa on successive days.  Or you could use it to work your way right across Italy on regional trains.  With this pass you can just hop on and off Trenitalia regional trains, as you like.

At the time I write this, it costs €29 for 3 days and €49 for 5 days, check latest prices online.

To see prices and buy a pass, see www.trenitalia.com/en/offers/italia-in-tour.html (please let me know if that link stops working).

Tours of Italy by train

Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour of Italy for you as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  On their website you'll find a range of suggested tours which can be varied or customised to your own requirements.  And as you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.  They have offices in the UK, USA & Australia.

UK flag

Byway ( Byway.travel ) is a new UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating .  If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, they'll book a trip for you as a package, including overnight hotels.  Byway includes package protection, Covid refund guarantee, free disruption & re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.

To see pre-configured packages from the UK to Italy by train, www.byway.travel/.../italy-by-train .

Tailor Made Rail can arrange tours of Italy by train based on your own requirements, they welcome complex itineraries.  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.  From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461 .  Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.  Their website is www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/italy .

Expert individual trip planning & advice

DiscoverByRail.com offers expert help in planning trains in Italy & around Europe, with suggestions for routes, trains, hotels to your own specification.  They charge a small fee, around £35 per trip.

What are Italian trains like ?

Frecciarossa:  see the frecciarossa guide.

Trenitalia's top high-speed trains are the Frecciarossas (red arrows) , mostly operated either by the original 300 km/h (186 mph) Frecciarossa 500 trains or the latest Frecciarossa 1000 trains introduced in 2015.  Some are operated by 250 km/h (155 mph) Frecciarossa 700 & Frecciarossa 600 trains.

Frecciarossas have 3 or 4 classes of accommodation, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seas & free WiFi, s ee the Frecciarossa page for more information .

Tickets for all Trenitalia's long-distance trains include a seat reservation and are only valid on the specific date & train you've booked.

Principal Frecciarossa routes:   Turin-Milan-Bologna-Florence-Rome-Naples-Salerno ( Frecciarossa 1000 & 500 );  Venice-Florence-Rome-Naples ( Frecciarossa 1000 & 500 );  Turin-Milan-Verona-Venice (usually Frecciarossa 700 );  Milan-Ancona-Bari-Brindisi-Lecce ( Frecciarossa 500 ).  See seat maps .

Frecciargento :  See the Frecciargento guide

Next down the pecking order are Trenitalia's 250km/h (155mph) Frecciargento (silver arrow) tilting trains, although these are now rare as most are being rebranded as Frecciarossa.  Frecciargento services are operated by pendolino tilting trains, air-conditioned with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The trains reach 250 km/h on the high-speed lines and use their tilt to cut journey times through curves when running on classic lines.

Principal remaining Frecciargento routes:   Rome-Bari, plus the odd Genoa-La Spezia-Pisa-Rome trains.  See seat maps .

Frecciabianca

One step down from Frecciarossa and Frecciargento are the Frecciabianca (white arrow) services, now getting very rare. The remaining Frecciabianca services on the Rome-Pisa-La Spezia-Genoa route are operated by older ETR460 tilting trains bumped off Frecciargento service.  They have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats & free WiFi.  Tickets include a seat reservation and are only valid on the specific date & train you've booked.

Principal remaining Frecciabianca route:   Milan-Genoa-La Spezia-Pisa-Rome.

Intercity trains :  See the IC guide

Next in the pecking order are the Intercity trains, fast trains hauled by locomotives at up to 160 km/h (100 mph), sometimes 200 km/h (125 mph).  Most Intercity cars are open-plan with a centre aisle, a few are classic side-corridor-and-compartment cars with 6-seat compartments, though you don't always get both sorts in both classes on a given train.  Some Intercity trains have a cafe counter, some just vending machines selling drinks and snacks.  You're free to bring your own food & drink, even a bottle of wine if you like.  See the Trenitalia Intercity page for more information .

Principal Intercity routes:   Rome-Naples-Sicily;  Rome-Livorno-Pisa-Cinque Terre-La Spezia-Genoa-Milan;  Milan-Genoa-Savona-Ventimiglia (for Nice).

Intercity Notte sleeper trains:   See the ICN guide

Comfortable Intercity Notte (ICN) overnight trains link Milan, Bologna, Rome, Naples with Messina, Palermo, Catania & Siracuse on Sicily, see the Trains to Sicily page .

Intercity Notte overnight trains also link Trieste/Venice with Rome, Turin/Milan with Naples, and Turin/Milan with Bari, Brindisi & Lecce, see the Intercity Notte page .

Regionale & Regionale Veloce (R, RV)

Regional trains come in many different shapes & sizes, they operate all over Italy including Florence-Pisa, Florence-Siena, Florence-Lucca, Venice-Trieste, Rome-Civitavecchia.  On regional trains there are no assigned seats, you sit where you like.  Luggage goes on the racks or simply on the floor.  There's no catering, so bring your own food & drink.  Many are 2nd class only.

There's little point in booking regional trains in advance as there's just one cheap fixed Ordinaria fare that can be bought on the day at that price.  Buy a ticket from the ticket office or self-service machines or buy online or in the Trenitalia app.  Interrail or Eurail passholders can just hop on, nothing more to do or pay.

How tickets for regional trains work, from 2023 onwards:

From 5 August 2023, Trenitalia made a simple thing unnecessarily complicated.  For tickets bought online, the old system of having to stamp your ticket in a validator is gone, as is the system of tickets only being good for a 4-hour time slot.  Regional tickets bought online are now only good for train you have selected, but you can change this free of charge as follows:

Until 23:59 on the day before departure, you can change the date and/or departure time free of charge using the Trenitalia app or website, as many times as you like.  Tickets are 80% refundable.

From 00:00 on the day of travel, tickets become non-refundable, but you can change the departure time as many times as you like free of charge until 23:59 or the last train, whichever is sooner.

Before boarding the train you must 'check in' online using the app or the website link provided.

You can check in at any time after 00:00 on the day of travel, as long as it is before you board the train.  Checking-in validates the ticket for use on that train, your ticket is then considered used and no further changes can be made.

You'll need internet access on your phone to check in.  If you can't rely on that, either check in before you leave your hotel using the hotel's WiFi (remembering that no changes can be made after you've checked in), or buy at the station instead at least 5 minutes before departure.

From 21 September 2024, check-in becomes automatic.  You no longer need to do anything as you'll be checked in automatically at the departure time of your chosen train.  That solves one problem, but if you decide to take a later train you must obviously remember to change it in the app before your original train leaves!

Online regional tickets bought from a retailer such as www.thetrainline.com or www.italiarail.com also work in this way, you'll get a link to check in and make changes to the date & time.  You show the QR code on your phone or can print the confirmation email with the codes on.

Can regional trains sell out?

Tickets are usually available in unlimited numbers so regional trains can't sell out, for example Milan-Tirano, Florence-Siena or Florence-Pisa.  However, Trenitalia now have some regional routes such as Venice-Trieste where the number of tickets sold for each train is limited so they can in theory sell out and occasionally do - even though specific seats aren't assigned.  This devious practice started during the pandemic and has continued. 

To check, find the train on www.trenitalia.com and click the 'i' symbol for details.  If it says non-prenotabile , you're fine, tickets are unlimited and can't sell out.  If it says prenotabile ticket numbers are limited, so bear that in mind.  If you use the Trenitalia app, you can see how many places are left on each train, usually many, which should reassure you.

A regional train of the sort that runs from Florence to Pisa, Livorno & Siena.

Italo high-speed trains:   See the Italo guide

Private operator NTV (Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori) started operating its Italo high-speed trains on the Milan-Bologna-Florence-Rome-Naples route in 2012, and now competes with Trenitalia on the Turin-Milan-Verona-Venice and Venice-Florence-Rome-Naples routes as well.  Competition between Trenitalia and Italo has driven up quality, increased capacity and driven down fares.  It's well worth considering Italo for a journey between the main Italian cities.

See the Seat61 Italo information page for more information, an illustrated guide and the Italo video guide .

An Italo AGV train at Rome Termini .

Travel tips

1st or 2nd class?

2nd class (or standard class on Frecciarossas ) is absolutely fine.  It's very comfortable and there's plenty of luggage space, there's no need to pay for 1st class (or business class on Frecciarossas ) if you are on a budget.  There are very few peasants & chickens in 2nd class on European trains these days...

On the other hand, 1st (or business) class is nicer, with wider, plusher seats and a quieter environment with more laptops tapping and fewer noisy kids.  And with long-distance trains dynamically priced, it often costs only a little more to go 1st class if you book ahead. 

1st class seats are generally arranged 2+1 across the car width rather than 2+2, so you get solo seats (ideal for single travellers) and face-to-face tables for two on one side of the aisle, ideal for couples as you then face each other and both get a window seat that is also an aisle seat, the best of both worlds. 

On Frecciarossa trains you also get a complimentary glass of prosecco and a small snack box in business class.

Luggage arrangements:   See the luggage section .

Ticket validation

Language problems

First-time visitors often think this will be a problem, but it hardly ever is.  At stations, finding your platform & train using the various departure screens is no different from finding your gate & plane at an airport.  Signs are often in English as well as Italian, or pictograms are used.  On high-speed trains, announcements are usually repeated in English.

At ticket offices clerks have a pretty shrewd idea you want a train ticket not a packet of washing powder, in fact clerks in popular tourist cities will be used to dealing with Brits, Americans & Australians and will usually know the relevant words in English about one-ways & round trips, first or second class.  The ticket machines at every main station have a touch-screen with an English language facility.

The one thing that does help is knowing Italian place names:  Rome = Roma, Florence = Firenze, Venice = Venezia, Naples = Napoli, Milan = Milano, Turin = Torino, Genoa = Genova.

Food & drink on trains in Italy

Most high-speed trains have a cafe-bar, although most Intercity trains (and Italo trains) only have vending machines.  Feel free to bring your own food and drink with you, even a bottle of wine if you like, no rules against that on the rails!

You can take a bike with you on suburban, Regional & InterRegional trains if you buy a bike ticket costing about €4.  You can also pay to reserve a bike space on most Intercity trains .  However, on high-speed trains such as Frecciarossas you need to put your bike in a zip-up bike bag, front wheel & pedals removed and handlebars turned, see the bikes by train page .

Dogs & pets

Go to www.trenitalia.com and search under Services for Transport of pets .  You can take pets on many trains, but the rules vary slightly by type of train.  Very small dogs, cats & other pets in containers no bigger than 70cm x 30cm x 50cm are carried free on almost all trains & classes.  Larger dogs on a lead & muzzled are allowed on almost all trains but must have a ticket bought for them at 50% of the adult 2nd class fare (whatever class the owner is using) and they are not permitted in Executive or Premium classes on Frecciarossa trains, or in catering cars.  You can take a dog in sleepers or couchettes only if your party occupies the whole compartment.  Guide dogs are always free.

First class lounges at Italian stations

Executive class passengers & holders of Trenitalia's frequent traveller card can use the FrecciaClub lounges at stations in major cities.

Club class passengers on Italo , can use the Club Italo lounge at major city stations.  Prima class passengers can also use the lounge if they pay a €12 add-on when booking - though this may not be offered at busy times or with the cheapest tickets.

A train planner app for your phone

Railplanner is a free offline train timetable app that you can download onto your phone to check train times, station departures & train calling points on the move without the need to be on WiFi or to use mobile data .  It's blisteringly quick and covers not just Italy but most of Europe.  It highlights the reservation-required high-speed & InterCity trains in red and the no-reservation-required regional trains in green.  It's created with Eurail & Interrail passholders in mind, but is useful for anyone. Download for iPhone or Android at www.eurail.com/en/plan-your-trip/rail-planner-app - please let me know if the link stops working.

Are the trains running on time?

You can check real-time arrivals and departures at any Trenitalia station or the running of any train by train number at www.viaggiatreno.it .  Most regional trains run more or less on time, and so do most high-speed long-distance trains, with perhaps a 10 or 20 minute delay here and there.  However, make allowances for a typical 30 to 90 minute delay when catching the overnight sleeper trains to/from Sicily, for example.

Choosing your seat

Trenitalia.com , Italiarail.com & Thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seats from a seat map on Frecciarossa , Frecciargento , Frecciabianca and Intercity trains within Italy.

It's pretty self-explanatory, but as I'm often asked, yes, the grey bars are tables, and no, you can't tell which way seats face.  Indeed, most Naples-Rome-Venice and Naples-Rome-Milan trains change direction at both Rome Termini and Florence SMN station , both of which are dead-end terminus stations.

For a couple in 1st class I recommend a face-to-face table for two.

Choosing a seat on an Italian train

Luggage on trains in Italy

Luggage is no real problem on Italian trains, and it makes no real difference whether you go 1st or 2nd class, there's always room for bags.  You don't check your bags in and there is no baggage car.  You simply take whatever you like into the train with you, and stick your bags on the racks above your head or on the big luggage racks at the end of each car or between the seat backs.  On regional trains, it just goes on the floor next to you if there aren't any racks.

There are no baggage fees or weight limits to worry about, for most practical purposes if you can carry it you can bring it.  It's so simple, it hardly needs explaining, yet overseas visitors chase their tails worrying about it.  Don't over-think it, but don't travel with more than you really need.  Anything up to backpack-sized fits on the racks above your head, larger items such as bulky suitcases go on the racks at the end of the car, in the seating area, or between the seat backs.

Security is not a major problem, your bags full of clothing are no more likely to be stolen than airline checked baggage.  There's no need to chain your bag to the rack, any more than you'd chain you bags to the luggage bin on a plane.  Although I like to use a rack which I can see from my seat and I always keep cameras, passports and so on in my daypack at my seat.  But I thought that was obvious?

Porters are pretty much a thing of the past along with butlers, valets and ladies' maids.  However, Milan Centrale , Milan Porta Garibaldi , Venice Santa Lucia , Rome Termini , Florence SMN , Turin Porta Nuova are all termini with level access to and between all trains.  You can just pull your bag on its wheels from street or taxi rank across the station concourse right up to the train door, lift it two steps up into the train, and wheel it to a convenient rack or space between the seats next to your seat.  If you're elderly or pregnant, another passenger will almost always help you get your bags the two short steps into the train.

Luggage storage at stations

All main Italian stations including Turin Porta Nuova , Milan Centrale , Verona Porta Nuova , Venice Santa Lucia , Florence SMN , Rome Stazione Termini & Naples Centrale have left-luggage facilities, either lockers or a staffed facility.  Information on left-luggage prices & opening times .

Which station in which city?

Roma Termini is the main station in Rome, in the city centre walking distance from all the sights, see the Roma Termini station guide .

Roma Ostiense and Roma Tiburtina are on the outskirts of the city, you'll need a local train or taxi (around €15) into the city centre.  The Vatican has its own suburban station, Roma San Pietro, but it’s easy to reach St Peter’s from the Stazione Termini by bus or taxi.

Napoli Centrale is the main station in Naples city centre, co-located with the Circumvesuviana station for trains to Pompeii & Sorrento and 30 minutes walk from the ferry terminal for Capri & Ischia.

Do not book to Napoli Afragola by mistake as I've known a number of people do, Naples Afragola is a 'parkway' station for high-speed trains outside the city in the middle of nowhere, aimed at motorists from surrounding towns & villages.

Venezia Santa Lucia is the main station in Venice, in the city of Venice itself on the banks of the Grand Canal, 15-25 minutes walk from the Rialto Bridge & St Mark's Square.  See the Venice Santa Lucia station guide .

Venezia Mestre is on the mainland in an industrial area outside Venice itself, always book to Venice Santa Lucia unless you have a hotel in Mestre.

Firenze Santa Maria Novella is the main station in Florence, often abbreviated to SMN, in the city centre easy walking distance from all the sights.  See the Florence SMN station guide .  A few trains use Campo Marte or Rifredi stations outside the city centre, linked to SMN by frequent local trains.

Milano Centrale is the main station in Milan, a magnificent terminus in the city centre, served by most mainline & international trains.  It's a major Milan attraction in its own right, see if you can spot Mussolini .  See the Milan Centrale station guide .

Milan Porta Garibaldi is rather less magnificent, but still central, used by the French Railways TGVs to Paris and by some Trenitalia trains.  It's a 25 minute walk, 5 minute metro ride or 8 minute taxi ride from Centrale.

Some Malpensa airport trains arrive at Milan Cadorna, a small local terminus also located in the city centre, other Malpensa airport trains run to Milan Porta Garibaldi and Milan Centrale .  Milan Lambrate is much less central, and Milan Rogoredo is 5 km from the city centre.

Torino Porta Nuova is the main station, a large and historic terminus, see the Turin stations guide .

However, trains to & from Paris use Turin's other main station, Turin Porta Susa , and most trains to or from Rome, Milan or Venice call at Porta Susa before or after Porta Nuova .  Both stations are in Turin's city centre, walking distance from all the sights.

In Siena, the station is at the foot of the hill and used to be a steep trek up to the old town.  However, there's now a series of modern escalators and moving walkways that ferry you almost painlessly to the top of the hill, from where it's just a minute or two's walk to the Porta Camollia at the entrance to the old town.  From the Porta Camollia it's a pleasant 15 minute stroll to the famous Piazza del Campo.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Map of Pisa showing tower & railway stations .  Many people do Pisa as a day trip from Florence, using the frequent local trains.  Pisa Centrale is 2km from the Tower, a 30 minute walk, but if you take a train to Pisa S. Rossore station it's only a 5-10 minute walk to the Tower.  Some trains from Florence go direct to Pisa S. Rossore, 1 stop beyond Pisa Centrale, others require a change at Pisa Centrale.  Check train times using www.trenitalia.com or www.italiarail.com .

How to travel to Sicily

The train is a wonderful way to reach Sicily, an experience in itself.

There are two daytime InterCity trains from Rome & Naples to Palermo, Catania, Siracuse and time-effective overnight sleeper trains from Milan, Rome & Naples direct to Palermo, Catania & Siracuse.  See the timetable & information on the Trains to Sicily page .

If you use the daytime trains, bring a picnic and bottle of wine (as there's no catering car) and enjoy the ride, much of it along the Italian coast just a stone's throw from the sea towards the toe of Italy. 

All these trains are shunted onto a ferry at Villa san Giovanni for the short crossing of the Straits of Messina to Sicily.  It's the last remaining place in Europe where passenger trains go onto a ferry, a unique experience, watch the video .   Once the train is secured in the ship's hold, steps are placed next to the train doors, and you can either remain on board the train or get off and walk upstairs to the deck to take some sea air, returning to the train as the ferry docks on the other side.  Highly recommended!  You can book all of these trains to Sicily as shown here .

Or use an overnight ferry from Naples :  You can sail from Naples to Palermo by comfortable overnight ferry, with a  or shared cabin with en suite shower & toilet, and there are restaurants and bars for an enjoyable evening on board.  Ferries typically sail every day at around 20:00 and arrive around 06:30 in both directions.  See www.tirrenia.it & www.snav.it for times, dates, fares & online booking.

How to reach Herculaneum, Pompeii & Sorrento

Naples to Herculaneum, Pompeii & Sorrento by Circumvesuviana train

The railway from Naples to Herculaneum, Pompeii & Sorrento isn't run by Trenitalia, it's the privately-run Circumvesuviana Railway, www.eavsrl.it .  That's why you can't find trains to Sorrento on trenitalia.com or italiarail.com.  Map of Naples showing stations .

Simply buy a mainline ticket from Venice, Florence, Rome or wherever to Naples Centrale at www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com .  On arrival at Naples Centrale, follow the signs to Circumvesuviana , these will take you downstairs to the Circumvesuviana station.

The Circumvesuviana station has its own ticket office, either buy a ticket to Ercolano, Pompeii Scavi or Sorrento there or use the ticket gate that allows you to touch in with a contactless bank card.  Go through the automatic ticket gates onto the platform and hop on the next train.

Trains run to Herculaneum (Ercolano), Pompeii and Sorrento every 30 minutes throughout the day, no reservation is necessary or possible.  Outside the weekday rush hours the trains are not crowded, there are plenty of seats and it's very easy to use.  Luggage goes on the racks or just on the floor, no problem.  This handy video shows you what to expect .

Naples to Pompeii costs around €3.20 one-way, journey around 40 minutes. 

Naples to Sorrento costs around €4.50 one-way, journey 55-65 minutes.

Naples to Sorrento by ferry

You can also travel from Naples Beverello ferry terminal to Sorrento by fast ferry with around 5 departures a day, journey time 45 minutes, fare around €13, bags €2.10, see www.alilauro.it .  You can buy online or just buy at the ferry terminal on the day.

To the top of Vesuvius

To visit the summit of Vesuvius, two morning buses run from Naples or a more regular bus service runs from Pompeii, both run by EAVBUS, see www.eavbus.it (Italian only) or (more usefully) www.unicocampania.it , click English top right and look for 'Vesuvio Fares' under 'Tourist Info'.

Day trip to Pompeii?   It's easy to arrange a trip to Pompeii yourself by train, see the guide here .

How to reach Capri

Buy a mainline ticket from Venice, Florence, Rome or wherever to Naples Centrale at www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com . 

The island of Capri is just off Sorrento.  You have two options:  You can take a direct ferry from Naples to Capri, journey time around 45 minutes, fare €20.10, or you can take the Circumvesuviana Railway to Sorrento (55-65 minutes) then a shorter ferry crossing to Capri (around 25 minutes, fare €18.10).

If you choose the ferry from Naples, take a taxi (5-10 minutes) or walk (about 25 minutes) from Naples Centrale to Naples Beverello ferry quay.  Fast ferries taking just 45 minutes link Naples Berevello with Capri every hour or two between 07:00 & 18:00, see either www.snav.it or Omio.com for times & fares.  The ferry fare is about €20.10 plus a euro or two per item of large luggage.  You don't need to pre-book the ferry, just turn up, buy a ticket and hop on.  Map of Naples showing station & ferry terminals .

If you choose to take the local Circumvesuviana Railway to Sorrento, there are many ferries to Capri, no pre-booking necessary.  Just be aware that it's a longish steep walk from Sorrento Circumvesuviana station down the hill to the ferry terminal.

Ferries from both Naples & Sorrento arrive at Capri's busy Marina Grande, there's a funicular railway up the steep hillside to Capri town itself. Bring plenty of money to Capri, even a small beer costs over €7!

How to reach Ischia

Ferries link Naples with Porto Ischia, see either www.caremar.it (sailings every hour or two, crossing time 45 minutes fast ferry or 90 mins conventional ferry) or www.alilauro.it .

How to reach Amalfi, Positano, Praiano

Option 1, by bus from Salerno

There's no railway to these towns on the famous Amalfi Coast, but buses run from Salerno to Amalfi.  So buy a train ticket for one of the many high-speed trains from Milan, Florence and Rome direct to Salerno, then hop on a bus to Amalfi.  This Salerno bus option is the quickest way to Amalfi.

Buses link Salerno & Amalfi every hour or better between 06:00 & 22:30 on Mondays-Saturdays, slightly less frequently on Sundays, journey time 1h15, fare around €2.20 one-way, you buy a ticket at the tobacconists shop inside Salerno station.  The buses are operated by SITA, to check bus times see www.sitasudtrasporti.it (in Italian only, click 'Orari' then 'Campania').  To check fares, you'll need to use public transport site www.unicocampania.it , click English top right then 'Fares & Tickets'.

Option 2, by ferry from Salerno

Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Salerno to Amalfi or Positano.  See www.coopsantandrea.com for a timetable of small coastal ferries from Salerno (Concordia dock, 800m from Salerno railway station) to Amalfi and Positano.  At the time of writing, they had departures from Salerno at 08:40, 09:40, 10:40, 11:40, 14:10 and 15:30, journey time to Amalfi just 35 minutes, but check their website for current timings.  This is a good option in summer when the narrow coast road is clogged with traffic.

Option 3, by bus from Sorrento

You can also buy a train ticket to Naples, hop on the Circumvesuviana Railway to Sorrento as shown above then take a bus to Positano, Praiano & Amalfi.  For buses linking Sorrento with Positano, Praiano & Amalfi, see www.sitasudtrasporti.it (in Italian only, click 'Orari' then 'Campania').  Sorrento-Amalfi takes 1 hour 40 minutes, buses run hourly or at certain times half-hourly 06:30 to 22:00, and the fare is around €2.90.  The journey along the coast road is dramatic, the bus hugging the cliff and it rear end swinging out precariously at every hairpin bend!

Option 4, a private transfer from Naples to Praiano, Positano or Amalfi hotels

If cost is no object, a private car transfer from Naples Centrale railway station to Positano or Praiano costs around €95 one-way for up to 3 people, or around €110 to Amalfi.  Try www.amalfishuttle.com or www.positanoshuttle.com (same people - click 'transfer' at the top).  I have not had any reports about them yet, so feedback would be appreciated.  They will also do transfers from Sorrento Circumvesuviana station, which reduces the cost.

How to reach Elba

Travel by train to Piombino Marittima.  Moby Lines ( www.mobylines.com ) sail every hour or so from Piombino to Portoferraio on Elba, crossing time 1 hour, foot passengers €7 one-way.

How to reach Lake Como

Como San Giovanni is the mainline station for Como, it's on the Zurich-Milan main line and linked to Milan Centrale by frequent regional train.  Check times as above .

Lecco, Varenna & Bellanoare on the eastern side of Lake Como, there is a station at Lecco & Varenna-Esino (for the ferry to Bellagio) and Bellano on the Trenord local line linking Milan Centrale with Tirano (near the Swiss border, for the fabulous narrow-gauge Bernina route to Chur & Zurich).  Check times as above

How to reach Lake Garda

There are two main stations for Lake Garda, Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione or Peschiera del Garda , both on the Milan-Verona-Venice main line.  As well as regional trains, some Milan-Verona-Venice Frecciarossas call at Peschiera or Desenzano.

Alternatively, take a train to Verona Porta Nuova .  Buses run frequently times an hour from outside the station to the eastern shores of Lake Garda including Lazise, Bardonlino & Garda, see the bus company website www.atv.verona.it .

How to reach San Marino

San Marino has no rail station, but can easily be reached by bus from Rimini.  Buses leave from outside Rimini railway station every hour or so between 08:10 and 19:25 in winter, between 06:45 and 20:30 in summer, less frequently on winter Sundays, journey time 50 minutes, fare around €5.00 one-way.  You can check bus times and fares at the bus company website, www.bonellibus.it .

How to reach Sardinia

Ferries to Sardinia

Ferries sail from Civitavecchia, Livorno, Naples & Palermo to various ports on Sardinia including Olbia & Golfo Aranci in the north and Cagliariin the south.  Operators include Tirrenia, Grimaldi Lines, Corsica-Sardinia Ferries, use Direct Ferries to check and book all ferry routes & operators .

The shortest ferry crossing is Civitavecchia (just north of Rome) to Olbia where the daily daytime ferry takes 5h30, and an overnight ferry with cabins takes 7h.  A daily ferry with cabins links Naples with Caligari overnight.

Trains on Sardinia

Regional trains run by a division of Trenitalia link the major centres and ports:  Golfo Aranci, Olbia, Sassari, Porto Torres, Oristano, Cagliari.  You can check train times at www.trenitalia.com although as trains are classed as regional you may as well just buy tickets at the station on the day.

In addition to the main Trenitalia routes, tourist services called the Little Green Trains run on two or three very rural routes, see www.treninoverde.com (in Italian only, use Google Chrome translation feature).  These trains are run by transport authority ARST, a company formed by merging the urban transport authority with Sardinian Railways.

Airport train connections

Milan malpensa airport.

There are regional trains from Milan Malpensa airport to Milan Centrale every 30 minutes, journey time 52 minutes, fare around €12, no reservation necessary or possible, just buy a ticket at the station and hop on the next train.

Change at Milan Centrale for high-speed Frecciarossa & Frecciabianca trains to Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples or anywhere else in Italy.  You can check times & fares at www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com .  Reservation is required for Italian long-distance & high-speed trains, make sure you read the tips below.

Rome Fiumicino airport

Leonardo Express trains run from Rome Fiumicino airport to Rome Termini in the city centre every 30 minutes, journey time 32 minutes, fare around €14, no reservation necessary or possible, just buy a ticket at the station and hop on the next train.

Change at Rome Termini for high-speed Frecciarossa & Frecciargento trains to Venice, Florence, Naples or anywhere else in Italy - indeed, there's even a very occasional direct high-speed train from Rome Fiumicino Airport to Florence & Venice.   You can check times & fares at www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com - Reservation is required for Italian long-distance & high-speed trains, make sure you read the tips below.

Pisa airport

A people-mover (driverless train) shuttles passengers from Pisa airport to Pisa Centrale in the city centre in just 8 minutes.  Change at Pisa Centrale for hourly regional trains to Florence, and regular regional, Intercity or Frecciabianca trains to Rome, La Spezia and Monterosso in Cinque Terre.  You can check times & fares at www.trenitalia.com selecting Pisa fermata Aeroporto for Pisa airport station - but read the tips below.

Bologna airport

A people mover links Bologna Centrale with Bologna airport, for more info see the Bologna Centrale station guide .

Tips for buying plane-to-train tickets

The regional trains from Malpensa into Milan, from Fiumicino into Rome or from Pisa to Florence are no problem - you can turn up, buy a ticket at the station & hop on the next train.  No reservation is possible and no pre-booking necessary.  They cannot sell out.

But if you intend to catch an onward high-speed train from Milan or Rome to (let's say) Florence, Naples or Venice, remember that Italian high-speed trains require reservation and tickets are only valid on the specific train you book .

Cheap advance-purchase economy or super-economy tickets become worthless if your flight is late and you miss your train.  Even a flexible 'base' ticket becomes worthless one hour after departure if you can't get to a Trenitalia ticket counter to change the reservation to a later train.

So when arriving by air at Malpensa or Fiumicino and going to Florence, Naples, Venice and the like, you must choose one of two strategies:

Option 1, prioritise your budget:  The money-saving option is to buy a cheap Super-Economy fare and commit to a specific train in advance at www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com , but allowing a hefty 3-4 hours between flight arrival and train, to allow for any flight delays or long lines at immigration.

Option 2, prioritise your time:  The time-saving option is to just buy a ticket at the base price when you get to the airport station.  Then you can buy a ticket for the first train leaving after you have landed, collected your bags and are ready to go.  I know this goes against the grain for overseas visitors desperate to reserve every Starbucks cappuccino 6 months ahead, but unless it's Christmas Eve or the like, you'll always find places available even right before departure as there are so many seats on so many trains, this shouldn't be a concern.  You can check what the base fare is by running an enquiry on www.italiarail.com , clicking on a train then clicking the button marked '+ show flexible fares'.  The flexible fare is what you pay at the station on the day.

A compromise option?    You may find it cheaper to book cheap advance-purchase tickets on two trains - the train you should easily make if your flight is on time and a back-up train an hour or two later - than to pay the base fare for one train as in the time-saving option above.  Or book one train that you should normally easily be able to make, then just accept that if the plane is significantly late, you'll have to buy another ticket at the base fare.

How to use Trenitalia.com

The Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com is well worth getting to know.  It can sell:

Domestic Italian train tickets for any train journey within Italy, including couchettes & sleepers on overnight trains, at cheap prices with no booking fee.

International train tickets for most direct international trains starting in Italy heading for Paris, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Slovenia, including couchettes & sleepers on overnight trains, again with cheap tickets if you pre-book.  Remember that ticket collection for trains to Austria & Germany is only possible at stations in Italy!

Trenitalia have an app so you can can manage tickets on your phone.

Some overseas visitors find it Not available in your region. There's an easy workaround for this by using Settings to change your Apple ID region, just Google How to change iPhone app store region.

Or use Italiarail.com instead.   You may find www.italiarail.com easier to use than trenitalia.com for sleeper trains, international trains and passholder reservations.  ItaliaRail is a US-based agency who connects directly to the Trenitalia ticketing system to sell the same trains at the same prices as Trenitalia, but in plain English using English-language place names.  They charge a booking fee of around €3.50, but this will be refunded if you send them an email at [email protected] after you book.

How to use www.trenitalia.com

When you set your desired departure time in the search parameters, there's a glitch, it sets this in your device's own local time zone.  I'm in the UK and Italy is 1 hour ahead, so if I set desired departure time to 07:00, I see trains from 08:00 onwards. 

Base is the fully-flexible fare, it's what you'd pay at the station on the day.  Refundable, only valid on the train booked but can be changed before departure, or at the station up to an hour after departure.  The base fare was originally one fixed-price for a given journey, but as from late 2017 the base fare for Frecciarossa & Frecciargento trains can vary slightly by day of the week or the popularity of each particular train.

Economy & Super-Economy are Trenitalia's cheap advance-purchase fares, only valid on the train booked, limited refunds & changes, limited availability, these are the fares you want for cheap travel, if you are certain what time train you want.

Cartafreccia Special fares can only be bought if you have a Cartafreccia card, which you probably haven't.

Ordinaria is the regular fare for regional trains.  It's fixed-price, you can buy at that price even on the day.  In principle this fare is good for any train, but you now need to select a specific departure and check in online for it before boarding, see more about how regional tickets now work .

Vagone Letto Relax - Tripla Cabina Intera = 3-berth sleeper with washbasin, books the whole compartment ( intera = whole).

Vagone Letto Relax - Doppia Cabina Intera = 2-berth sleeper with washbasin, books the whole compartment.

Vagone Letto Relax Uso Singolo - Cabina Intera = Single-berth sleeper with washbasin, books the whole compartment.

Superior Doppia - Cabina Intera = 2-berth sleeper with shower & toilet, 2-berth compartment, books the whole compartment.

Superior Uso Singolo - Cabina Intera = Single-berth sleeper with shower & toilet, books the whole compartment.

Cuccetta Comfort 4 Posti - Promiscuo = bunk in shared 4-berth Comfort couchettes, normal mixed sex compartment.

Cuccetta Comfort 4 Posti - Donna = bunk in shared 4-berth Comfort couchettes, in special ladies-only compartment.

Cuccetta Comfort Tripla - Uso exclusivo = whole couchette compartment booked for sole use by 3 people.

Cuccetta Comfort Quadrupla - Cabina intera = whole couchette compartment, booked for sole use by 4 people.

So if you want to book 2 people together in a 2-bed sleeper you should select Doppia Cabina Intera for both passengers.

On some international routes they use slightly different sleeper terminology:

Cabina A3 = 3-berth.  Cabina A2 = 2-berth.  Gran classe = deluxe with shower & toilet.

But again, Uomo means male, donna means female, intera means you want to book a whole compartment.

Other problems?   If you get stuck, you can contact Trenitalia's web team at [email protected]  to unfreeze frozen accounts and so forth.  They can handle emails in English.  Or you can call Trenitalia telesales on +11 39 06 6847 5475.

How to use Trenitalia ticket machines

It's easy to buy tickets at the station using the self-service ticket machines at all main Italian stations, as long as you have a credit card with a PIN (4-digit personal identification number).  They have an English language facility, and it's faster and easier than using the ticket office.  The machines are pretty self-explanatory, but to give you confidence and so you know what to expect, here's how to use them.

Incidentally, you'll sometimes find annoying types who hang around offering to 'help' foreigners, just be healthily suspicious of them and refuse all help, you don't need it as the machines are self-explanatory and you certainly don't need anyone near your wallet or pockets while you are distracted.  Italian stations are perfectly safe (I've spent literally hours hanging round them out of professional interest, without any problem whatsoever), but it pays to be streetwise!

To buy a ticket

Children under 4 go free with no ticket needed, children under 12 can use a child rate ticket on regional trains, children under 14 can use a child ticket on Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca, InterCity & InterCity Notte mainline trains.

Paying for a guidebook may seem an unnecessary expense, but it's only a fraction of what you spend on the whole trip.  If you have a decent guidebook, you see so much more and know so much more about what you're looking at.  I think the Lonely Planets or Rough Guides are the best ones out there for the independent traveller.

Click the images to buy at Amazon.co.uk

Or buy in the usa from amazon.com.

Alternatively, you can download just the chapters or areas you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website , from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

European Rail Timetable & maps

Traveller's Railway Map of Europe - buy online

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map .  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

Recommended hotels

Here are my suggested hotels in key Italian cities, conveniently located for arrival by train and all with good or great reviews.  You are unlikely to be disappointed by any hotel scoring over 8.0 out of 10 on Booking.com .

There are lots of hotels near Milan Centrale , used by the Frecciarossa to/from Paris, the EuroCity trains to/from Switzerland and the majority of Italian domestic trains.

Affordable hotels & guesthouses with good or great reviews just outside the station include the Hotel Bristol , Hotel Bernina , 43 Station Hotel , B&B Hotel Milano Central Station , Guesthouse Teodora .

M ore upmarket hotels include HD8 Hotel , Glam Hotel , Made to Measure Business , Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson .

At the top end, the 5-star Excelsior Hotel Gallia is just across the road, you won't go wrong with that if your budget will stretch!

Near Milan Porta Garibaldi (used by the TGV to/from Paris), the AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is just 350m from the station and gets good reviews.  Also try the Holiday Inn Porta Garibaldi , which offers family rooms.

Hotels near Verona Porta Nuova station with good or great reviews include the Corte Merighi Rooms & Breakfast , Novo Hotel Rossi , Guesthouse Verona or (a little closer to the centre, but with fab reviews) the Relais Empire .

Location, location, location!   Some people try to save money by staying on the mainland at Mestre , hotels in Mestre being naturally cheaper.  It's an option, but don't do it if you don't have to.  You want to be a resident in Venice, not a serial day-tripper, so try to find an affordable place in the historic city of Venice itself.

Venice Santa Lucia station is walking distance from everywhere in central Venice including the Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco, so a hotel near the station which you can easily walk to with your bags makes a lot of sense.

Relatively inexpensive places with good reviews near Venice Santa Lucia include Albergo Marin , Hotel Marte , La Loggia della Luna , Albergo ai Tolentini .

An excellent upmarket choice just 5 minutes walk from Venice Santa Lucia is the small and intimate Hotel Canal Grande - I've stayed there myself.  Also try the Abazzia De Luxe .

For the least expensive places in central Venice check www.hostelworld.com .  Use the map view to see places in Venice itself.

Of course, if you have the financial backing for a water taxi, then fine, stay near San Marco or wherever you like.  My son nagged me continually until I caved in and splurged €70 on a water taxi from Santa Lucia station to St Marks.  I have to say that it was the best thing I have ever done in Venice, and that includes a gondola ride!

If you do decide to stay in Mestre to save money and travel in & out of Venice by train every day, try the Hotel Cris which has great reviews 200m from Venezia Mestre station , and the Best Western Plus Hotel Bologna .

In Florence

For something fancy, try the Hotel Santa Maria Novella with a 9/10 review score and rooftop terrace overlooking the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella.  It's a mere 5-minute 400m walk from Florence Santa Maria Novella station .

For something more affordable but also an easy walk from the station, try the Hotel Art Atelier .

Other hotels nearby with good reviews include C-hotels Club , 7Florence B&B , Hotel Lombardia .

There are many hotels near Rome Termini .  However, an affordable top choice with a 9/10 review rating is the Hotel Diocleziano , a 5-minute 400m walk from Roma Termini's main entrance, set in a 19th century building next to the Terme di Diocleziano ancient Roman baths.

An upmarket option near the station is Hotel Le Petit , an 8-minute 700m walk from the station, also with great reviews.

Other hotels near the station with good or great reviews include The Hive Hotel , Dream Station , The Republic Hotel .

There are lots of hotels near Naples Centrale .

The Starhotel Terminus is just across the road from the station, gets great reviews and has a roof terrace with views over the Bay of Naples.

The Hotel Potenza is only a little further into the Piazza Garibaldi, cheaper, also with good reviews.

The Unahotel Napoli is highly recommended, on Piazza Mancini overlooking Piazza Garibaldi, on the far side facing the station.

Also consider the Pit Stop Napoli Centrale .

Booking.com for hotels

I generally use Booking.com for hotels for 3 reasons:

(1) It keeps all my hotel bookings together in one place;

(2) I've come to trust Booking.com 's review scores;

(3) Booking.com usually offers a clearly-marked Free cancellation option.

Free cancellation means you can secure hotels risk-free even before trains open for booking, and if necessary change those bookings if your plans evolve.

If I'm only staying a night or two, I look for a hotel near the station to make arrival & departure easy.  You can enter the station name (e.g. Berlin Hbf ) as search location.  If staying longer, I look for a hotel close to the sights, entering the name of a city attraction as the search location, then using map view.

AirBnB:  Airbnb.com

www.airbnb.com began in 2008 when two designers who had space to share hosted three travellers looking for a place to stay.  AirBnB is a platform which connects hosts with guests, so you can now book a room in people's homes, or an apartment, flat or house which people want to rent out.  It can be nicer than a hostel, cheaper than many hotels.

Backpacker hostels:  Hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com offers online booking of dorm beds or cheap private rooms in backpacker hostels most European cities at rock-bottom prices.  It's one way to cut costs significantly compared to using a hotel every night.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

US flag

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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Travel Europe on a Budget

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City Guides .\33 a132798-3f3b-4585-954d-7e70cf863447{fill:#231f20}

Italy train guide — how to travel italy by train.

How to travel Italy by train — tips for buying Italian train tickets and advice for navigating Italy by rail.

Transportation

book train travel in italy

Italy is a joy to travel by train—the views of the countryside are amazing, the rail system is efficient, and booking tickets is easier than ever. Furthermore, Italy has a highly-developed high-speed rail network that quickly connects all major cities and slower local trains connect most of the small towns. It’s simply the best way to travel around Italy. In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about Italy trains—from buying tickets to traveling between its great cities.

How To Buy Train Tickets in Italy

book train travel in italy

Buying Italian train tickets is generally easy—in most cases, you can purchase tickets online and have them sent electronically to your phone/app.

Let’s first take a look at where and how early to buy tickets…

Travel Tip: Most train tickets in Italy are now electronic so having reliable high-speed data for your phone is super helpful. Here are a few articles I’ve written to help you get cheap mobile data in Italy:  Guide To Mobile Data Plans and Smartphone Phones in Europe ,  How To Buy A SIM Card and Mobile Data Plans in Europe , and Guide To Buying SIM Cards and Mobile Data Plans in Italy

Where To Buy Italy Train Tickets

Buying Italian train tickets online is fairly simple and straightforward these days—but there can sometimes be a few quirks.

Note: Trenitalia is the official Italian Railways website. The site is known to have weird translation issues and some people have problems with getting their payments processed. Personally, I’d avoid using this if you’re not Italian. The options below are much more user-friendly for non-Italians.

Omio is a search engine that lets you compare and book trains (and buses and flights) anywhere in Europe. It lets you easily book tickets with your credit card at essentially the same prices as the Trenitalia website. Additionally, Omio searches routes for multiple rail services across Europe so it’s great for international trips (since it can easily combine rail journeys of multiple countries).

TrainLine is a website that searches multiple rail services across Europe so it’s great for international trips (since it can easily combine rail journeys of multiple countries). It’s also good for single-country travel. Plus, it’s designed for English-speaking travelers so it’s super user-friendly.

ItaliaRail.com

ItaliaRail is a worldwide distributor of Italian train tickets so their site is also simple to use for English speakers. You can use a credit card to pay in most currencies so anyone in the world use to able to buy tickets through the site. As an added bonus, the tickets are electronic so they can be sent straight to your phone (or can be printed at home if you prefer).

Italotreno.it

Italotreno is a private rail company that runs modern high-speed trains between most major cities—these trains only run between major cities. Be sure to check them out as there are some deals to be found. Luckily, when you search with Omio you’ll also get Italotreno trains in the results so I prefer searching there since you can compare all the rail companies.

At The Station

Of course, you can buy any Italian train ticket from any train station—either from a ticket window or an automated machine. You can purchase tickets in advance from train stations as well.

How To Collect Your Train Tickets

Tickets purchased online can be collected in a few different ways. Sometimes you’re given multiple methods and sometimes you’re only given one option:

  • Electronic Tickets: Tickets are sent to your phone or sometimes an App. Simply show your phone to the conductor on the train when he checks the tickets.
  • Print-At-Home Tickets: Print them and show them to the conductor on the train when he checks the tickets. You can often simply save the PDF to your phone/tablet and the conductor can scan it from there.
  • Pick Up At the Station: Use your credit card or a booking number to print your tickets at the train station.
  • Reference Number (PNR): You’re sent a booking reference number (PRN) and you show it to the conductor on the train when he checks tickets.

Do I Need To Buy Italian Train Tickets In Advance?

Long-Distance/High-Speed Trains: Yes – book early. Booking ahead online will get you the cheapest tickets and prices will continue to rise as the departure date approaches. For example, I just did a search for a day-of ticket for Rome-Milan and it was €95 but tickets bought two months in advance are €32—that’s a pretty big difference.

  • High-Speed Trains: Frecciarossa (180mph), Frecciargento (160 mph), Frecciabianca (155mph), Italo (180 mph), InterCity (125mph).

Note: Trains between major cities will almost always be high-speed trains (Rome-Milan, Rome-Venice, Rome-Florence, Venice-Milan, etc). Also, most train tickets are available for purchase between three to six months in advance.

Regional Trains: Price-wise, there is no need to book early. Regional trains are priced by distance traveled so there is no discount for booking early. Simply show up at the station and buy your tickets at the window or automated kiosk.

Of course, you can still buy regional train tickets online so they’re ready to go on your phone and you can skip any lines at the ticket machines.

  • Slow Trains: InterRegionale (IR), Regionale (R), and Diretto (D)

High-Speed Vs. InterCity/Regional Trains: High-speed trains are faster (obviously) and nicer/more comfortable than InterCity/Regional trains. They’re also more expensive but we usually think the time savings are worth the cost. But if you’re on a budget then there is no shame in taking a cheaper train.

International Train Tickets

International train tickets (i.e. tickets between Italy and another country) can sometimes cause a few issues. Let’s take a look at a few:

  • Otherwise, you can book two separate journeys (one for Country A and another for Country B) but that’s kind of a hassle.
  • Buy Ticket From Departure Country’s Site: Always purchase your tickets from the country in which your train departs. This is because you can often only pick up your ticket from a station in the country where the trip originates. For example, for a journey from Nice, France to Milan, Italy you’ll want to buy your ticket from the French rail network but if you’re going from Milan to Nice then you’ll want to buy the ticket from an Italian site. NOTE: This isn’t an issue when you book through a third-party booking website.

How To Use Your Italy Train Tickets

On most high-speed trains in Italy, your ticket is only good for the time on the ticket. You’ll also be given an assigned seat. You don’t need a validate your ticket because your seat is reserved (but they might check your ID). NOTE: Your ticket will show the car and seat number so make sure you’re in the right car (the trains are clearly marked).

On regional trains , you might have a physical ticket. Make sure to validate (i.e. stamp) your ticket in the validation boxes on the platform before you get on the train. They’re sometimes hard to see so watch what the locals are doing. If you forget to validate, seek out the conductor immediately and have him stamp it — if you wait until he comes around you might be given a fine.

Regional trains won’t have seat reservations so just sit anywhere.

Once you’re on the train the conductor will eventually walk through the aisles to check tickets.

How To Make Rail Pass Reservations

Most high-speed trains require you to make a reservation when using a Eurail pass — the reservation costs around €10/seat. You must make the reservation before you get on the train. There are a few ways to make reservations:

Italy Train Tickets - Railpass Reservation

  • Online: ItaliaRail.com lets you book your reservation online through their platform. Simply look for a button that says something like “I Have A Railpass” and follow the prompts.
  • At The Train Station: You can simply go to the train station and book your reservation from the customer service desk or self-service kiosks. You can book it weeks in advance or you can do it the day you depart. We suggest using the kiosks because the ticket window can take forever.

More Tips For Riding Italian Trains

  • Check The Departures Board: You’ll find your train platform via the departure board at the train station. Don’t worry if you don’t see your train because they often only display trains departing within the next 10-20 minutes.
  • Cheap Tickets Are Non-Refundable: One downside to cheap tickets is that they’re non-refundable and they can’t be changed.
  • Pack A Picnic: You’re allowed to bring your own food and alcohol on trains. It’s great for those long train rides.
  • Luggage: There aren’t any weight limits on luggage and you can bring as much as you want (well, as much as you can carry). Simply bring it on and store it above your head, behind your seat, or in the luggage racks in each car.
  • Get To The Train Station Early: Train stations are usually fairly easy to navigate but they can be a little confusing—especially larger stations. There isn’t any security that you have to go through but it doesn’t hurt to arrive about 20 minutes early.
  • Know Train Station Names: Most large cities have multiple train stations so this often creates confusion. Double-check to make sure you have the right station — especially when booking your ticket.
  • Learn Italian City Names: Italian cities will often be called by their Italian name — for example, Roma (Rome), Firenze (Florence), Napoli (Naples), Milano (Milan), etc.
  • First Class vs Second Class Tickets: First Class tickets normally cost 1.5x the second class rate. Second Class is perfectly comfortable but First Class seats are a bit bigger. There isn’t much more of a difference.
  • Use A Credit Card With Chip: Automated ticket kiosks require a card with a chip so make sure you know your PIN code.
  • Get High-Speed Mobile Data: Train tickets are electronic so you’ll want data on your phone. Check out my guide to the best prepaid eSIM plans for Italy to get a cheap data plan.

Learn More About Traveling In Italy

book train travel in italy

Here are a few articles I’ve written about traveling around Italy:

  • Rome Travel Guide: Tips For Visiting Rome
  • Florence Travel Guide: Tips For Visiting Florence
  • Venice Travel Guide: Tips For Visiting Venice
  • Recent Posts

James Feess

  • How To Buy Train Tickets in France | Guide To Buying French Train Tickets - July 26, 2024
  • France Train Guide — How To Travel France By Train - July 25, 2024
  • Best Prepaid USA eSIM Data Plans For Travelers | eSIM Buyer’s Guide - July 3, 2024

book train travel in italy

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book train travel in italy

Train Travel in Italy: The Ultimate Guide

Italian train in Manarola Cinque Terre

Train travel in Italy is relatively easy, but may pose some challenges if you have never been to the country or if you are not used to this mode of transportation. This is why we have created this ultimate guide to traveling by train in Italy, which you can also print out and carry with you during your trip as a reference. 

Let’s look at the main points to consider. 

What is the Best Way to Get Around Italy?

Buying an italian train ticket, arriving at the train station in italy, safety at the train station.

  • Types of Italian Trains
  • Should I Book a First Class Ticket or a Second Class Ticket?  
  • What To Do If Your Train is Canceled or Delayed

How to Pack for Train Travel in Italy 

  • Train Travel Times for the Most Common Italian Routes  

The Most Important Train Stations in Italy

The train is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to travel around Italy, however this does not mean you have to do it all by train. Whether you use the train for all or part of your Italian trip depends on the itinerary that you are planning. If you do the classic Rome-Florence-Venice tour, then you can do it all easily by train, and it is the recommended option because the train stations in these cities are conveniently located in the city centers and you do not need a car to tour them. If you plan to visit the countryside or the mountains, you should consider renting a car as it gives you more freedom and flexibility. You can also combine different modes of transport: train between major art cities, a rental car for an on the road and to reach smaller towns and hilltop towns that may not be as well connected, plane if you need to go from the north to the south of Italy or vice versa. 

Most train stations in Italy are located in or very close to the city center (hence why many have ‘centrale’ in their name), so they’re very easy to reach, sometimes even on foot from your centrally located hotel. 

Where Italian trains are the best or only choice:

  • Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples, Milan, Cinque Terre

Where Italian trains are better avoided:

  • Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Sardinia, remote countryside

Where a car is a good option, but you can also get by with trains and buses:

  • Tuscany, Umbria, the Dolomites 

train agrigento

You have two options to buy train tickets for your Italian trip:

  • Buy your ticket online in advance via the train company’s website (Trenitalia and Italo), an intermediary like Italian train travel specialists ItaliaRail , or through your travel agent;
  • Directly at the train station in Italy, either at the ticketing window or using the self-serve ticket machines (instructions are available in English and the machines accept credit cards).

We recommend buying your tickets in advance whenever possible so that you do not have to wait in line, deal with a machine if you’re in a hurry, you have more seat options, plus having your trip mapped out beforehand can save you precious time while in Italy.

As a general rule of thumb, the sooner you book, the cheaper the fare. Seniors and children (or family packages) generally have reduced fares on Trenitalia’s Frecce and Italo. 

*For more information about buying train tickets in Italy, see our dedicated feature .

First of all, always arrive early (at least 20 minutes before your train’s departure time). Train stations in major cities like Rome, Milan and Bologna are very big and you may have to walk five to ten minutes to reach your track ( binario in Italian). 

The first thing you want to do when you get to the train station in Italy is to find the electronic board with the trains departure information. There are several throughout the stations, with the bigger one in the main hall and ticketing area, and smaller ones on each platform, in underground passages and waiting areas.

The board has the following information:

  • Type of train and train number ( treno )
  • Train’s final destination ( destinazione )
  • Departure time ( orario )
  • Delay ( ritardo ) - expect a 5-10 minute delay as standard in Italy
  • Information ( informazioni ) - this usually displays the intermediate stops of the train with arrival times and where the different classes are located scrolling by
  • Platform number ( binario )

To identify your train, look for the train number on your ticket, as the destination shown on the board is the final one, but your destination may be an intermediate stop (which you will see in the part of the display that scrolls by). 

If your train does not have a specific train number, date and time printed on it, you must validate it before boarding . Look for a green, white or yellow electronic box and insert your ticket into it to get it timestamped (ie validated) before getting on your train (the validation lasts for six hours). This mostly applies to regional trains. You do not need to validate your ticket if you are taking a Freccia high-speed train or Italo train (see below for specifics). 

When at the platform, double-check that the train you are about to board is the right one by looking at one of the several boards positioned overhead along the track, it specifies train number and destination.

Also, make sure to board the correct carriage; the number is visible on the side of the train, on an electronic sign on the door, and before boarding, on a screen overhead. This way you will avoid creating more confusion and blocking aisles as you walk through carriages to reach your seat.  

trai station

Generally speaking, traveling by train in Italy is safe, but be vigilant of pickpockets and other petty criminals that may target disoriented travelers intent on finding their way through the station. Always carry your bag in the front, and consider investing in a money belt to place your passport, credit card, money and important documents. 

If your luggage on the train is not close to you (ie if it’s big you’re going to have to place it in the luggage area at the front or end of the carriage), take a look at it when the train stops at intermediate stations.

Do not accept help from strangers who may offer to carry your luggage or help you get a ticket at the ticketing machine. They may insist on getting a ‘tip’ from you once their ‘service’ is done and not leave until you do. Just send them away as soon as they approach you. 

Types of Italian Trains 

Two companies run trains in Italy: Trenitalia and Italo. For a long time, Trenitalia has been the only railway company in Italy and to this day it has the widest network and routes. Italo began operating in 2012, and offers high-speed service between major Italian cities. 

When traveling on Trenitalia, you have three different types of train to choose from which differ based on speed and price. 

Le Frecce - they are Trenitalia’s most modern, comfortable and fastest trains, which also means they cost more. They require advance reservation, have seat assignment, and provide most of the high-speed service on the main lines between Turin, Milan, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples, and Bari. 

There are three types of Frecce: 

Frecciarossa : the fastest and most expensive trains, traveling up to 300 km/h. They connect Italy’s biggest cities (Turin, Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome, and Naples), but not Venice. Frecciargento : these trains use both the high-speed and traditional lines; they are not as fast as the Frecciarossa and take you to main cities such as Florence, Bologna, Rome, and Naples, but not to Milan or Turin. They go to Venice and southern regions like Apulia and Calabria.

Frecciabianca : the slowest among the Frecce, they run on traditional lines and connect large and medium-sized cities in 14 of the 20 Italian regions (Valle d’Aosta, Trentino Alto Adige, Umbria, Basilicata, Sicily and Sardinia are not covered).

Intercity - these trains are less expensive than the Frecce ; they operate outside of the high speed line, therefore your trip will take longer. They connect medium to large cities across Italy, making few intermediate stops. It is not always possible to reserve your seat in advance. These trains are usually quite old and don’t have amenities like wi-fi and restaurant service, available on the Frecce .

Regional trains   - the cheapest option, these trains are used by locals to get to and from work and school, connecting minor towns and villages. You cannot reserve a seat in advance, therefore if you need to take a regional train, try to avoid rush hours. Coaches are mostly second class, with only one or two reserved for first (which in this case you may want to get). These are the trains you would take for example if you were going to the Cinque Terre or to Assisi.

General tip : use the Frecce to reach the biggest cities, then use regionali to move around the region to smaller centers (when possible - sometimes you will need to take a bus instead; sometimes renting a car will be the easiest option). 

Italo

Should I Book a First Class Ticket or a Second Class Ticket? 

All trains generally offer first class and second class, or, in the most modern trains, ‘standard’, ‘premium’, ‘business’, ‘executive’ (the most expensive, the less seats available and the less people around you). What corresponds to second class (or standard) on the Frecce and Italo is absolutely decent, but obviously more crowded, so if you wish for tranquility and silence, go for an upper class of service. You may want to step up to first class on the Intercity and regional trains.  

What To Do If Your Train is Canceled or Delayed 

When you travel by train in Italy, you should be aware that things don’t always go as smoothly as you may expect in countries such as, say, Switzerland or Germany. Try to remain patient as your train may be canceled or delayed because of a strike, an accident or repairs on the line. 

As reported on the Trenitalia website:

- if your Freccia train is delayed by 30 to 59 minutes, Trenitalia will issue a bonus equal to 25% of the ticket price that you can use for future purchases.  

- If your Freccia train is over an hour late when you get to your destination, you are entitled to a compensation equal to: 25%   of the ticket price for a delay ranging from 60 to 119 minutes; 50%   of the ticket price for a delay of more than 120 minutes. The compensation may be issued in the form of a bonus for a new ticket to be purchased within 12 months; cash if the ticket was paid cash or refund on the card that you used for payment.

You can request your bonus after 24 hours from the date of travel and up to 12 months, at the ticket office of any train station, online on the Trenitalia website, at the travel agency that issued the ticket, or by calling the Call Center. 

Use this page for reference .

Pack light! You don’t want to have to carry around a huge suitcase that is hard to lift and lower when you get on and off the train. Remember, there are a few steep steps up (and down) the train, there may be stairs to the platforms, especially in the older stations where you won’t find the automatic ones, and you may have to walk the distance in large train stations like Rome Termini or Bologna Centrale. 

Go for a light carry-on or even a backpack, this will be helpful in general as you may decide to also walk between your hotel and the train station. 

We have a great feature with general tips on how to pack for travel to Italy by Sarah Murdoch, a Rick Steves tour guide and Italy expert. 

Train Travel Times for the Most Common Italian Routes  

Rome – Florence 

1 hour 31 minutes (Frecciarossa – Trenitalia)  

1 hour 23 minutes (Italo)

Rome – Venice 

3 hours 45 minutes (Frecciargento – Trenitalia)

3 hours 45 minutes (Italo)

Rome – Milan 

2 hours 55 minutes / 3 hours 20 minutes (Frecciarossa – Trenitalia) 

3 hours 14 minutes (Italo)

Rome – Naples  

1 hour 10 minutes (Frecciarossa – Trenitalia) 

1 hour 20 minutes (Italo)

Florence – Milan 

1 hour 40 minutes (Frecciarossa – Trenitalia) 

1 hour 50 minutes (Italo)

Florence – Venice 

2 hours 5 minutes (Frecciargento – Trenitalia) 

2 hours 5 minutes (Italo)

Milan – Venice 

2 hours 23 minutes / 2 hours 35 minutes (Frecciabianca – Trenitalia) 

Milan – Naples 

4 hours 40 minutes (Frecciarossa – Trenitalia)

4 hours 31 minutes (Italo)

  • Rome: Roma Termini
  • Florence: Firenze Santa Maria Novella
  • Venice: Venezia Santa Lucia
  • Milan: Milano Centrale
  • Naples: Napoli Centrale
  • Turin: Torino Porta Nuova
  • Bologna: Bologna Centrale 

Now that you know everything you need to know about train travel in Italy, enjoy the ride as you watch Italy’s beautiful scenery roll by!

For more Italian train travel, check our dedicated section , Italy by Train. 

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How to travel by train in Italy

This article may contain compensated links. See our full disclosure here

Traveling by train in Italy is a fantastic way to get around this beautiful country. Services are efficient and fast, and tickets are affordable. When traveling between major cities, the train will take you straight to the heart of the action.

Train travel in Italy also means avoiding any parking issues as well as traffic jams.  We love to travel by standard or high speed train in Italy, but navigating your way around the system can be tricky for beginners.

This guide will take you through all you need to know about buying Italy train tickets, including the best places to purchase them. We also cover making reservations and what you should consider before booking your travel.  

PRO TIP: We use Omio to book train tickets in Italy

1. Planning your travel

When planning your Italian itinerary, it’s good to know that it’s worth booking your train travel in Italy in advance. This can save you time as well as money. Big savings can be made by booking in advance and you also have the best opportunity to secure seats in higher class carriages. Here is all you need to know about Italian train companies, main routes and stations, types of service and ticket, and how to book.

Italy train services

There are several different types of train routes and train services in Italy. Understanding the structure of the Italian train system can save you costly mistakes and wasted time. Generally, there are high speed intercity rail services and regional trains.

High speed trains in Italy

High speed services operate between the major cities like Rome , Florence , Venice , Naples, Milan and Turin and can get you to your destination very quickly. Reaching speeds of up to 300 kilometers an hour they are convenient, fast and the best way to travel between cities. Your journey on a high speed train in Italy means getting to your destination more quickly, with less stops en-route but this all comes at a higher price.  

Italian regional trains

With more stops and a slower pace, regional trains in Italy are also much cheaper. These services connect with smaller cities and towns and are useful if you want to discover Italy’s hidden corners . Most visitors to Italy will experience the high speed trains but if you want to go to the Cinque Terre or travel by train from Naples to Sorrento you will need to travel on the regional rail network. The most important thing to know is that if you purchase a physical ticket at the station for these journeys you MUST validate it at the machine on the departures concourse before boarding or risk a large fine.

Italian train companies and booking services

Trenitalia is owned and operated by the Italian government and is responsible for more trains in Italy than any other company. If you plan to take a high speed train in Italy, it may well belong to Trenitalia. Red Arrow ( Frecciarossa) trains are the fastest and all passengers benefit from amenities like charging sockets, free WiFi, air conditioning and a food carriage. 

Prices are determined by 2 factors – the class of travel class and the flexibility of the ticket. The cheapest Italy train tickets are sold in advance and allow no changes or refunds. These are known as Super Economy tickets. Booking directly with Trenitalia is possible, but it’s not always the simplest way due to translation issues and the fact that international credit cards may not always be accepted.

Italo is a privately owned Italian train operator, specializing in intercity, high speed trains. The service and prices are very similar to those offered by Trenitalia. Which company to travel with thus tends to depend on availability and when you want to travel. Again, passengers can book with Italo directly, but this isn’t the easiest way due to language barriers and website usability.

Omio runs a user-friendly site and smartphone app for booking train travel in Italy. They work with Italo, Trenitalia and regional railway operators – as well as airlines and bus companies across Italy and Europe. Using their app or site allows you to compare options simply and easily.  Users of Omio can easily source the quickest, cheapest and best ways to travel between Italian and European cities, villages and towns. This applies whether you wish to fly or take a bus or train and it is why we recommend Omio. Once you have installed the app, you can book Italy train tickets in advance. As the details will then be stored, it’s a lot simpler to make changes – or even to purchase tickets for trips at the last minute.

Covid Safety

At the time of writing, Italian trains are running normally. 

If you have any of the typical symptoms of acute respiratory infections such as a high temperature, a new persistent cough, loss of your sense of smell, or general cold symptoms, do not board a train.   You can find more information about the latest restrictions and details of any vaccination requirements on the Italian Tourism Board website .

Know the main train routes and stations

Many visitors tend to follow a classic route across Italy, beginning in Rome before traveling on to Florence or Naples . They may then travel on to other destinations. Other favorite cities include Milan and Venice. Here are the major Italian train routes to help you plan your journey.

Major Trenitalia routes

  • Venice – Padua – Bologna – Florence – Rome – Naples – Salerno
  • Turin – Milan – Bologna – Florence – Rome – Naples – Salerno
  • Milan – Brescia – Verona – Vincenza – Padua – Venice

Major Italo routes

  • Turin – Milan – Reggio Emilia – Bologna – Florence – Rome – Naples – Salerno
  • Turin – Milan – Reggio Emilia – Bologna – Rimini – Pesaro – Ancona
  • Venice – Padua – Bologna – Florence – Rome – Naples – Salerno
  • Verona – Bologna – Florence – Rome – Naples

The following information is a guide to the main routes, including average travel times and costs. Please note that prices, timings and frequency are approximate, and will often vary depending on the day of the week and time of day. Each route can be traveled in either direction. Prices are stated in Euros. As you can see, these are far lower when tickets are purchased in advance.

Rome to Naples by train

  • Fastest time: 1 hour 02 minutes
  • Trains per day: 95+
  • Advance price: from €14 | On the day price: from €20
  • Click to research schedules and prices

Rome to Venice by train

  • Fastest time: 3 hours 26 minutes
  • Trains per day: 50+
  • Advance price: from €34 | On the day price: from €56

Rome to Florence by train

  • Fastest time: 1 hour 22 minutes
  • Advance price: from €10 | On the day price: from €23

Milan to Venice by train

  • Fastest time: 2 hours 12 minutes
  • Trains per day: 25+
  • Advance price: from €22 | On the day price: from €30

Florence to Venice by train

  • Fastest time: 2 hours 01 minutes
  • Advance price: from €25 | On the day price: from €33

There are also some local and regional train routes that are very popular with visitors from overseas. These include trains from Florence to the Cinque Terre or Pisa, and routes from Rome to Salerno or Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast.

Rome – Naples – Sorrento

  • Roma Termini to Naples around 1 hour and 10 minutes > check timetable and prices
  • Change trains in Naples for the local Circumvesuviana or Campania express services (must purchase tickets at Napoli Centrale) or organize a private transfer to Sorrento (recommended)

Rome – [Naples] – Salerno (south Amalfi Coast)

  • Roma Termini to Salerno from 1 hour and 30 minutes > check timetables and prices
  • Note – Some direct services but many add a change in Naples

Florence – Pisa

  • The fastest Florence to Pisa takes around 1 hour, usually 1 hour and 30 minutes > check timetables and prices
  • Average 4 trains per hour 

Florence – Pisa – Cinque Terre (La Spezia Centrale)

  • Florence Campo di Marte to La Spezia about 1 hour and 40 minutes > check timetables and prices
  • Change at La Spezia for local routes to Cinque Terre villages

Major Italian train stations  

Your Italian train journey is highly likely to begin or end at one of the country’s major train stations. If you are intending to purchase tickets on an Italian booking site – or from a ticket machine at the station – you must be familiar with the Italian names.

  • Rome Termini / Roma Stazione Termini: Via Giovanni Giolitti, 40, 00185 Rome
  • Left luggage open: 08:00 – 20:00
  • Station info
  • Florence S M Novella / Firenze Santa Maria Novella / Firenze SMN: Piazza della Stazione, 50123 Firenze
  • Left luggage open: 09:30 – 18:00
  • Naples Central / Napoli Centrale: Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, 80142 Napoli
  • Left luggage open: 07:00 – 23:00
  • Venice Santa Lucia / Venezia Santa Lucia
  • Left luggage open: 09:00 – 20:00
  • Milan Central / Milano Centrale: Piazza Duca d’Aosta, 1, 20124 Milano

TIP: For other cities try searching for “City name” plus “Centrale” or “Stazione” to find the main train station.

When booking tickets for trains in Italy, check the booking conditions carefully. Does the ticket type allow for any changes or cancellations? Often the cheapest fares are completely inflexible and may make a lot of stops along the way. So compare departure and arrival times and also station. Example – we’ve been caught out expecting to arrive at the main station in Florence (Santa Maria Novella) and instead arriving at Campo di Marta where there are limited taxi services. 

Ticket availability  

While we advise booking in advance to secure the cheapest fares on high speed services, you may discover that you cannot find what you want when searching for high speed trains. This is because bookings normally open 120 days – just under 4 months – in advance of travel.   There are two major European train timetable changes per year, occurring on the second Saturdays in June and December. After this happens you may only be able to book 30 days in advance.   

Ticket classes  

There is not a huge difference between first and second class train travel in Italy. Most visitors are happy to travel in second class. Holders of first class tickets can expect a little extra space and leg room, as well as a light snack and a newspaper.    The following guide gives a little more information on the available ticket classes in Italy.

Trenitalia – high speed services

  • Second Class / Standard: Standard: WiFi, air-conditioning, power sockets, tables, food service and cafe bar, entertainment portal
  • First  Class / Premium: As Standard PLUS large leather seats,  newspapers and welcome drink 
  • Business Class: As First PLUS extra leg and elbow room and table service
  • Executive Class:   As Prima PLUS 10-seat carriages, station club lounge access, gourmet meals and 6-seat meeting room access
  • Second Class / Smart:   WiFi, air-conditioning, power sockets, leather seats, snack area and table service
  • First Class / Comfort: as Smart but with extra space / larger seats
  • Prima: A s Comfort PLUS lounge access, fast track, less seats per carriage, personal screen, in-seat catering and newspapers
  • Club Executive :  A s Prima PLUS dedicated catering and entry to Club lounges at major stations 

Trenitalia – regional and slower intercity services

  • Standard: cafe bar, tables and power sockets
  • Premium: as standard plus seat reservations and more space

How to book Italy train tickets online

The simplest way to compare train times and ticket prices is to use Omio . Their site and app display both Italo and Trenitalia options plus regional train services so you can pick the best one for your travel plans. You can also refine your searches according to departure time, journey duration and price.  

  Intercity Trains

Advance booking is recommended. Huge savings of up to 50% are available when buying Italian train tickets in advance. If you do this, though, you must be certain about the times and dates of travel and it’s wise to work on the assumption that this kind of ticket is completely non-refundable and non-changeable. 

On the majority of intercity routes, tickets can be bought on the actual day of travel. However, this does not guarantee seat availability. During periods of peak demand, we recommend purchasing your Italy train tickets in advance to secure seats. The busiest times are in the mornings between 06:00 and 10:00, and between 15:00 and 19:00 in the afternoon on weekdays. The Christmas, Easter and summer holiday period (mid August) are among the most popular times to travel.

Regional trains  

It is not often necessary to book in advance for regional or local services – unless you plan to travel during the busiest holiday periods mentioned above.

2. At the station  

Here are some general guidelines regarding what to do when catching trains in Italy. In general train stations are busy places with lots of services including places to buy food, drinks and reading materials. 

  • Arrive about 20 minutes before your scheduled departure time
  • Buy a ticket if you didn’t pre book one. This can be done via a machine or in person
  • If traveling on a regional train, you need to validate your ticket before boarding or you risk a large fine
  • Check the departure platform (called partenze in Italian ). Often the display will only show the final destination, so do check the train number on your ticket to make sure
  • There is no security, just a ticket check, at Italian rail stations
  • Be aware that trains will only stop for a couple of minutes for a changeover 
  • Check the location of your carriage so you are in place and can board on time – the train will not wait
  • Store your luggage overhead or in the luggage compartments at the end of each carriage.

3. On board

  • Italian trains tend to have small luggage racks, making large cases a bit of a burden when traveling by rail
  • You can buy coffee, drinks and snacks on intercity services
  • Expect free WiFi, a power socket and a tray table, even in second class
  • Some seat configurations have a table
  • Basic bathroom facilities are available on board

4. Arriving at your destination

When you arrive at your destination be aware that if the train is continuing on to another stop there may be only a few minutes available to disembark. 

  • Prepare your belongings and be ready to disembark well before (at least 5 minutes) your scheduled arrival 
  • There are taxi ranks at all the major Italian train stations and many are connected to local city transit systems
  • Left luggage facilities are also available

5. Italy train travel FAQs

  • How far in advance should I book my tickets?

Tickets may be released anywhere between 3 to 6 months before travel. As mentioned earlier, this time may be reduced to 30 days after the major European timetable changes in June and December. It also depends on the operator. Thus there is no set schedule. We recommend booking 1 or 2 weeks before travel for any intercity high speed train in Italy if you know the dates and times you wish to travel

  • Do I need to print my tickets?

Intercity train tickets do not require printing, as you will simply be asked to show your booking reference. If you have the Omio app , you can use this, or alternatively, show an email booking confirmation. If you have purchased tickets for regional trains online and printed a copy, you do not need to validate these. They can be used for the selected train – or any that departs within the following 4 hours.

  • Should I buy an Italy rail pass?

We don’t think that rail passes for Italy are cost effective or very helpful. Though you may make a saving upfront, the €10 fee for each seat reservation cancels this out. A Eurail pass , however, can be useful when you will be visiting other parts of Europe – especially if you are eligible for the under 26 discount.

  • Are there discounts for seniors and children?

Children under 4 may travel free when sitting on your lap. If you want a seat for them, you can pay 50% of the base fare. On Trenitalia trains, children aged between 4 and 15 (or 12 on regional trains) also pay 50%. On Italo routes, infants under 3 years travel free when sitting on your lap. Both Trenitalia and Italo have family offers, where children traveling with paying adults go free. These offers are usually applied automatically when booking. With Italo, the adults have to buy a flex ticket in Smart class. The Bimbi Gratis offer from Trenitalia applies to families comprising 2 to 5 people. Under 15s travel for free when the older other members of the group pay the base fare. 

Seniors can buy a Silver Card ( Carta d’Argento ) from Trenitalia. It costs 30 euros for a year and is available for those aged between 60 and 75. For those over 75, it is free. With the card, seniors can save 15% on most journeys. Italo offers seniors a 40% discount on the usual Smart class flex fare. 

The Green Card (Carta Verde) is the discount card dedicated to young people aged between 12 and within 26 years of age . It has an annual cost of 40 euros and allows 10% discounts on the prices of the Base ticket in 1st and 2nd class on all national trains, on the Business, Premium and Standard service levels and on sleeping and couchette cars.

  • How much luggage can I take on trains in Italy?

Try to avoid taking large pieces of luggage on trains in Italy. There is no space for large suitcases and things could get very awkward on a busy service. You can easily fit carry on luggage and medium sized cases above the seats however you will need the strength to lift them into and out of these areas . The largest luggage we recommend that you take is a medium sized suitcase. You can read more about our recommended luggage for travel in Italy in this article .

  • When is the best time to travel by train for cheaper train tickets?

Off peak periods are in the middle of any weekday – from late morning to early afternoon. Weekends can be very busy because ticket prices are cheaper.

  • Can I choose my seat?

On regional trains, you cannot pre-book a seat, so simply take one that is available.   On faster intercity routes booked via Omio you can specify a preference for an aisle or window seat. If you book directly with Italo or Trenitalia, you can choose your seat. Seats are allocated at the time of booking. So if you want to sit together, make sure you book together via one transaction. It can be quite common to find someone sat in your allocated seat. A simple “Scusa” should indicate this to whoever is sitting there. 

  • How many tickets can I book?

This does vary by operator and route. Omio will typically let you book up to 9 passengers, for example. A larger number is considered a group, and specialist departments deal with group bookings. This is standard for all types of travel, and across the world. 

  • What happens if there is a train strike? 

In the event of a strike affecting trains in Italy, the first thing to know is that strikes are always planned in advance, So there’s no need to worry about one taking you by surprise. Also, Trenitalia guarantees minimum services, even on strike days. You can find out more about how Italian train trikes could affect you here .   

  • Are there night trains in Italy?

If you are traveling a long way – such as between Venice and Naples or Milan and Sicily – you may consider using a sleeper train. As you travel overnight, this saves the cost of accommodations. There are various kinds of seats, couchettes and sleepers on Italian overnight trains. We recommend booking a sleeper or couchette, as you will sleep within a compartment with a safety lock and can also lie flat. 

  • Where can I find a train map of Italy? 

We like to use this Italy train map that shows high speed and regional train routes

6. When is Italy train travel not the best option?  

Sometimes train travel in Italy is simply not the best option available. This particularly applies when you want to get off the beaten path, exploring those hidden corners that are not part of the main tourist trail. Regional trains can be very slow and may not reach the places you want to go. A great example of this is in Puglia where the services are extremely limited. 

This might also apply when you have limited time. If you want to see a lot in a short space of time, booking a rental car may be a better option. A hire car may also be more cost effective when there are more passengers and you have a lot of people and luggage to transport. In this case, you might consider hiring a driver for a private tour of Italy .  

If you want to travel long distances, then flying can be a much better option. It is far quicker, and might even be cheaper too. When you’re planning to visit the Italian islands of Sicily or Sardinia, booking a flight also makes more sense.   

Summary – Where will you travel by train to in Italy?  

We hope this guide has answered all your questions about how to travel by train in Italy. Trains in Italy provide travelers with a great way to see this wonderful country, especially when you are visiting more than one city. If you have any further questions about traveling by train in Italy, please join our FREE Italy Travel Planning community where thousands of Italy-loving travelers help others plan their trips.

Katy is the founder of Untold Italy and host of our eponymous podcast . Passionate about helping travelers planning their dream trips to Italy full of unforgettable experiences and memories, she has produced this site since 2018 – more info .

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My Italian Diaries

The ultimate guide to train travel in Italy 

Master the Italian rails, book tickets with ease, and embark on thrilling adventures with this guide about train travel in Italy

Train ready to leave at a station in Italy

Table of Contents

This guide to train travel in Italy will help you navigate the Italian railway system and feel comfortable booking train tickets for your next sightseeing adventure.

Train travel is a great way to see Italy’s incredibly diverse landscape, which ranges from plains and rolling hills covered in vineyards to stunning coastlines and mountains.

It’s fairly easy to travel across Italy by train, but I know it can seem a little overwhelming at first with all the different options and train types.

And since many of you have a lot of questions about train bookings in Italy, I thought I’d put together a guide that hopefully will help. So, let’s start…

Train types in Italy

First thing first, there are three main types of trains in Italy:

High-speed trains are the fastest trains that allow you to travel to Italy’s major cities quickly and comfortably. Their services include assigned seats, ample luggage storage, and wifi, and you can book tickets in advance online. Italo trains and the Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabianca trains provided by Trenitalia fall into this category.

Intercity trains connect major cities on long distances, they’re cheaper but a bit slower. They usually have air conditioning and you get an assigned seat in 1st or 2nd class.

Regional trains are what you need if you’re planning to explore smaller towns and villages. In comparison to fast trains, they’re cheap (and their prices tend to be fixed), but they’re also much slower since they have many stops. Because the seats are first-come, first-served, you’re not guaranteed one, especially during peak travel times. Also, there’s rarely air conditioning or first class. They are identified by RV (Regionale Veloce, a bit faster) and R (Regionale, the slowest). 

Which train company shall I choose?

There are two train companies operating in Italy: Trenitalia  and Italo .

The main difference between the two is that Italo only offers fast trains connecting major cities (like Milan, Rome, Venice, Turin, Florence, Naples), while Trenitalia offers high-speed, intercity, and regional trains. So, if you need to get to small towns and villages, you’ll need to use Trenitalia.

When it comes to high-speed trains, both Italo and Trenitalia offer free wifi and power outlets, as well as a seating option for four people facing each other, which is great for family trips or groups of friends.

High-speed trains in Italy

Trenitalia’s high-speed fleet consists of Frecciarossa (the fastest train), Frecciargento , and Frecciabianca trains. Tickets come in four different classes – Standard , Premium , Business,   Executive (more info here ). There are also three main types of fares: Super Economy (no changes, nor refunds allowed), Economy (you can change it by paying the price difference, no refunds), and Base (you can change it by paying the price difference; partial refund allowed). 

Italo offers four different service levels: Smart (the cheapest), Comfort , Prima , and Club Executive (further info here ). You can choose between Low Cost (no changes nor refunds allowed), Economy (changes and refunds allowed for a fee), and Flex (changes are free, while refunds come with a fee).

Italo is my go-to when visiting big cities because it tends to be cheaper and on time. In general, I guess the choice will mostly depend on where you’re going and the time schedule available. Standard class is good and comfortable with both train companies, and I usually choose the cheapest ticket with some flexibility (for example, the Standard Base with Trenitalia). 

Shall I purchase train tickets in advance?

I get asked this a lot, and my answer is always yes! Why wait if you’ve got it all planned out? Booking train tickets in advance is a wise move especially if you are traveling to popular places or during peak season.

Also, when you buy your train tickets in advance, you don’t just save time during your trip, you’ll also get some great deals. You can always opt for flex fares if you need to change plans for whatever reason.

To clarify, only high-speed trains to big cities should be booked in advance (like Milan to Rome, Venice to Florence, etc.). Regional trains, on the other hand, usually have fixed prices, so buying them ahead isn’t necessary or advantageous. In fact, buying regional train tickets in advance can be a problem since they are usually non-refundable and non-changeable.

Is it better to buy train tickets at the station or online?

Personally, I buy all my train tickets online, either on the websites or through the official apps, because it’s just so easy and convenient.  

Both the Trenitalia and Italo sites have a section in English; the option to change the language is at the top of the homepage, on the right-hand side. Just remember to type the city name in Italian (eg Venezia, not Venice).

Tickets purchased online don’t need to be validated or printed. You just have to show your phone to the conductor when you’re asked to do so.

Tip: don’t register when buying your train tickets online. Registering is only for Italians and you don’t need an account to buy a ticket. So don’t try to enter your details, you might end up stuck on that registration page forever!  

Alternatively, you can get tickets right at the train station. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket counter or using the touch screen kiosks, where you’ll generally find uniformed staff helping you out .

Ticket counter at Milan Central Station

Getting the names of the Italian train stations right

Like airports, Italian train stations have names. Additionally, major cities like Rome, Milan, or Venice have multiple train stations, so you need to know which one you need when you book your train tickets.

These are the names of the main stations in big Italian cities:

  • Rome: Roma Termini
  • Venice: Venezia Santa Lucia
  • Milan: Milano Centrale
  • Florence: Firenze Santa Maria Novella
  • Turin: Torino Porta Nuova
  • Naples: Napoli Centrale
  • Cinque Terre: use La Spezia Centrale , it’s the main transportation hub in the area

What shall I do when I am at the train station?

Upon arriving at the train station, look for the big electronic board with all the Partenze (Departures).

For each train that’s leaving, you’ll see the train number, the final destination, and the binario (the platform number). Say you’re traveling between Milan and Florence on Italo train 9947: the board will say “Napoli” next to the train number since that’s its final destination.

Also, the platform number usually appears only a few minutes before departure time, so if you get there early and don’t see it on the board, don’t panic.

In big stations like Roma Termini and Milano Centrale, you’ll have to go through airport-style security gates to get to the platforms – there are no scanners, just controllers who check your tickets.

The importance of validating your train tickets 

When you travel on a regional train, make sure you validate your paper ticket before boarding. There are small machines (usually green or yellow) on the way to the platforms where you can put the ticket so it’s stamped with the date and time. You’ll get fined if you don’t validate your ticket!

You don’t need to validate regional tickets that you’ve bought online and printed at home, nor intercity or high-speed tickets as these are valid only for that specific date and train.

What do I do if someone takes my seat on the train? 

First of all, remember that your seats are allocated on high-speed and intercity trains only while on regional trains, seating is first-come, first-served. However, it does happen sometimes that someone else is already sitting in your reserved seat, but most of the time you just show your ticket to prove that it’s your seat and they’ll apologize right away and leave.

In the unfortunate event that they refuse to move, talk to the conductor. Don’t forget that sometimes there’s a language barrier, and what seems rude may just be a result of not understanding each other .

Where do I find the conductor in case I need help?

The conductor is usually on the platform when you get on the train. Once the train starts moving, you can either wait for the conductor to come check your tickets or go to the first coach.

What if I miss my train?

This depends on what train it is and what ticket you have.

Regional trains give you a 4-hour window from validation. If it’s a high-speed train, you’ll have to buy a new ticket unless you booked a flexible fare that lets you change it (it’s more expensive, but it’s totally worth it for peace of mind!).

How do I change the name on a train ticket?

It’s not necessary to add the names of everyone on your train ticket, just the person booking it. And even if you are asked to add every passengers’ name, from my experience the conductor never checks them.

Do train stations in Italy have luggage storage facilities?

Yep, all major train stations in Italy have luggage storage facilities. Here are the main ones:

  • Rome: KiPoint Roma Termini
  • Milan: KiPoint Milano Centrale
  • Venice: KiPoint Venezia Santa Lucia
  • Florence: KiPoint Firenze Santa Maria Novella
  • Naples: KiPoint Napoli Centrale
  • Turin: KiPoint Torino Porta Nuova
  • La Spezia: Left Luggage La Spezia Centrale

How to avoid scams at train stations in Italy

You’ve got to be cautious walking through a train station in Italy, just like you would anywhere else. Let’s face it, a foreigner carrying luggage and looking a little disoriented is a prime target for a scam, right? Play it cool, look confident, and learn some basic Italian – it will help a lot!

Fake taxi drivers are one of the most common scams. You’ll see people approaching you as soon as you exit the station and asking if you need a taxi. I suggest you stay away from them and get in the official taxi line, even if it’s long… it’ll save you lots of headaches! Also, be sure your taxi is metered, don’t ask for a forfeit price.

You’ll also often see the soon-to-be-helpful person that will lead you to the right platform or help you at the ticket machine. These people are only after your money . Once again, stay away from them and never show your tickets to anyone (you only have to show your ticket to access the platform and to the conductor on the train). If you’re being approached by suspicious people, just say “No thanks” or “Basta!”.

Don’t let scammers discourage you from taking trains in Italy – this could happen anywhere. And remember, there are people out there who are genuinely trying to help.

What to do when there’s a train strike in Italy 

No matter how much you plan ahead for your train travel in Italy, you might run into a sciopero dei trasporti (transportation strike). But luckily, strike plans aren’t a secret and they’re often announced well in advance. There’s even a website that lists all upcoming transport strikes . It’s in Italian only, but it’s not so hard to read – just filter for Trasporto Ferroviario under the Settore column.

Also, a sciopero can last from a few hours to all day and can involve the whole local transport system. However, minimum service is usually guaranteed during peak hours (6 am – 9 am and 6 pm – 9 pm).

Where do I put my suitcases when traveling on Italian trains?

First of all, there’s no luggage fee and no weight limit, and you can take your own suitcases on the train.

On regional trains, you can put your suitcases on the racks above your seat or just on the floor next to you.

On high-speed trains, you can put carry-ons and medium-sized suitcases on the shelf above your seat, but anything larger should go on the luggage racks at the end of each coach. You may also find a spot between two sets of seats.

I’ve never had a problem with my suitcases on trains, but if you’re worried, try seating close to the entrance of the train coach or buy a wire lock to secure your bag to the rack. Honestly, though, there’s no need for that.

I hope this guide will help you navigate the Italian train network and buy tickets with confidence. Now, why don’t you take a look at these day trips from Venice by train and start planning some sightseeing adventures?

Pssst… Pin this article for future reference and get in touch if you have any questions about train travel in Itay!

Ciao for now,

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32 thoughts on “the ultimate guide to train travel in italy ”.

Very good summary of train travel in Italy, Valentina. Good tips especially the explanation regarding the types of tickets. When I visited Italy I was surprised at how inexpensive train travel was compared to my own country.

Thanks so much Hazel, glad you find this useful!

I’m surprised to see an Italian recommend train travel in Italy. I’ve done several train journeys in Italy over the years and I always found them relatively reliable and convenient. However several of my Italian colleagues look at me in utter disbelief if I dare suggest taking a train in Italy to them. In their opinion this is the worst thing one could ever do (as I said, I never had a bad experience with trains in Italy). Very comprehensive guide, thanks a lot for sharing all those details. Especially when you don’t speak the language it can sometimes get a little confusing and overwhelming (well again, nothing compared to trying to find your train in france though) 😉

I love travelling by train in Italy! Ok, trains are not perfect everywhere, especially in the south train connections are not great, but still, I would recommend it to anyone 🙂

Oh yes, trains are the best way to travel in Italy, I do agree 🙂

Thank you Ann! 😀

I love riding the trains in Italy! I forgot which one I rode in Rome when I was there 2 years ago. In any case, I want to try Trenitalia and Italo again. It looks like very comfortable. It’s very easy to buy tickets too. Very efficient!

Both train companies are very good, although I tend to use more Italo lately 🙂

Excellent review of the train system in Italy. While reading your article, it strongly reminded me of the train system in Japan. There are local, express, and the Shinkansen (cross-country). Additionally, the tip about validating your ticket I found especially useful. I’ll definitely keep this post in mind during my upcoming trip!

Thank you Emily, glad you found it useful! 😀

I still remember my first train travel in Italy 13 years ago when I was a young college study-abroad student of course we had no idea about validation because nothing like that exists in the US so we took a couple train trips before we realized we had to validate our tickets and got caught out and given a ticket for it! Definitely all US or Australian visitors should be alerted to this when entering country!

It’s one of those things that you would never think of, right? And instead it’s key if you want to avoid being fined ;-D

During my first trip to Europe, the train system was very confusing to me. I definitely could’ve used this article back then! I thought the most helpful part of this article is that you translated the stations into what the locals know them as. That was the most confusing part for me. I can’t tell you how long I was looking for Prague when it was really Praha in Czech, ha! It’s also great to know that seats are the first-come-first-serve basis. A lot of travelers do not know that and it causes a lot of commotion on trains. Great tips!

The names of train stations can be really confusing even for an Italian sometimes, because one city can have multiple train stations and you need to know the name of the central one if you don’t want to end up in the middle of nowhere 😛

It can be a bit confusing getting trains in a foreign country so this is super useful when travelling to Italy. I did get a train there once to Malcesine, pleasant experience. Great advice about buying tickets online and where to do this. Validating your ticket is something most people wouldn’t know about either. Helpful article!

Thank you Vanessa!!

I have had the opportunity to travel in Italy and use trains which I think are absolutely fabulous way to travel. I used it to travel to the Capital Rome from Amalfi and must admit the service and facilities were spot on. The intercity are affordable and if booked in ad ave can get you some great bargains. This is a very informative post to help choose the right trains and an overview to people who are looking to use the train in Italy. Thanks.

Thank YOU Amar!

This is an excellent guide to train travel in Italy. I’ve only ever taken TrenItalia, and quite enjoyed it! I’ve not heard of Italo, so will look out for it the next time we’re back. Great tips on getting them online too, it makes it much easier.

Yep, try Italo, I love it!

Thanks for sharing a very informative guide on Italian trains with all information about how to purchase tickets and different types of train. During my 1 week tour to Italy, I took Trenitalia for commuting and it was very comfortable and on time. I too agree that stations of Italy are named in Italian and therefore for non-Italians, it is very confusing and therefore to know some stations in advance would be preferred.

This is such a useful post! I recently travelled from Verona to Trento by a train. And it would have been very useful if I read your post before.

I hope you managed to see something of Verona before boarding the train 😉

Thank you Yukti!!

I recently used the train to visit both Lake Garda and Venice whilst staying in .Verona and found it an excellent service, far better and cheaper than UK trains. I definitely want to see more of Italy using the train. How is the train service in Sicily?

In the south of Italy train connections (and public transport more in general) can be less frequent and with with fewer lines/connections. That’s why I tend to suggest to rent a car instead.

This is a really informative blog on trains in Italy. I think buying tickets online is a better idea than getting them in stations. Thanks for the tip for not trying to register online as only Italian citizens can do it. I would rather buy them online without getting bothered about registration.

It’s really easy to buy all the tickets online and saves you sooo much time!

Excellent post. I used to be checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Very helpful information particularly the remaining phase 🙂 I care for such information a lot. I was seeking this particular information for a very lengthy time. Thanks and good luck.

So glad you find this useful and thank so much for your kind words 😀

Hi If I book an Italobus connection from Rome to Sorrento can I go from Sorrento to Pompeii the next day with Italo? Thanks Joanne

Hey Joanne, thanks for stopping by! You can use the Circumvesuviana line (line 1) to travel between Sorrento and Pomepii, it takes about 30 minutes, check out this site: https://www.eavsrl.it/web/sites/default/files/ORARI%20NAPOLI%20SORRENTO%2BC.EXP_Orario%20in%20vigore_0.pdf

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  • How to Travel by Train in Italy – A Local’s Guide

Feb 13, 2023 | Italy , Italy Travel Tips , Trains in Italy , Travel , Travel Tips for Italy

How to Travel by Train in Italy – A Local’s Guide

Train travel in Italy can be a great experience once you know how to navigate the logistics and understand its limitations. With the modernization of trains, Italy boasts one of the best travel systems in Europe. Italy’s two largest cities, Rome and Milan, are now connected by just a few hours on a superfast train that reaches up to 200 MPH! 

While train travel can elevate your trip to Italy, there are some common pitfalls you’ll want to avoid if you choose this option. As an Italian and local expat, we’re here to help you decide whether train travel is suitable for you and have put together our top tips to make your travels as smooth as possible with our guide to Italian train travel. 

How to Buy Train Tickets in Italy Online

The easiest way to book train tickets in advance is by using either trainline.com or trenitalia.com , with both being valid for Italian train tickets. 

We’ve found trainline.com to be the easiest to use overall, equipped with a timetable for all European countries, making this site ideal for you if you plan to travel outside Italy during your trip. 

How to Travel by Train in Italy – A Local’s Guide

How far in advance should I book train tickets in Italy? 

Tickets are generally released six to seven months before travel dates, so there’s no need to worry if you don’t yet see tickets available when booking your trip far in advance. 

We highly recommend that you book out as far in advance as possible, especially for popular and high-speed routes between major cities, such as Rome to Milan, Bologna to Milan, Naples to Rome, or Florence to Rome. 

Train tickets can get fully booked in Italy, so booking well in advance is extremely important near the Italian holidays as trains book up quickly with Italian locals and tourists competing to book their train travel during these times. 

Pro-Tip: Want to know how to get cheap train tickets in Italy? Always check if any discounts are available for seniors or children! 

Are you traveling to Italy as a senior? Read more on the blog on the top 7 mistakes retirees commonly make – and what to do instead! 

How to Travel by Train in Italy – A Local’s Guide

First Class or Second Class? 

Wondering whether to choose first class or second class when booking your train ticket? The truth is, there’s not as much difference between the two as you might think. 

One of the only main differences between the Second class and the Executive/First Class is the food service. While First and Executive Class areas typically offer food, Second Class usually offers nothing more than a vending machine.

The fast trains, the Italo and Frecciarossa, are typically pleasant in either class, so an upgrade isn’t usually necessary. But, if you decide to book first class, we’d recommend booking a silent option, as cell phone calls are prohibited in these areas of the train. Traveling for several hours without excess noise makes for a more pleasant and relaxing ride as you travel to your next Italian destination. 

Pro-Tip: Always check booking conditions. Discounted/special offers and regional train trips are typically non-refundable once booked. 

book train travel in italy

Can you take luggage on trains in Italy?

You’ve arrived, and you’re ready to board the train! The last thing you want is to struggle with heavy luggage packed full of things you don’t need, especially if you frequently travel between cities during your Italy trip. 

We don’t recommend bringing luggage too large for you to carry or not compact enough to fit in small spaces, as this can become a massive problem when you board and deboard trains. 

You’ll often need to lift heavy luggage into an overhead compartment, so packing light may benefit you more than packing everything you could need. Instead of bringing the entire kitchen sink, pack the essentials and leave the rest behind!

Need tips for packing light for your trip to Italy? Read our Ultimate Packing Guide for Italian Travel! 

Pro-Tip: WiFi is free in all classes on faster trains! Always check WiFi options before your trip to ensure you’re never caught without service. 

How to Travel by Train in Italy – A Local’s Guide

Be Prepared for Delays

Unfortunately, delays are typical when traveling Italy by train. To avoid any missed connections, the best thing you can do is to leave at least 15-20 minutes between connections on a long trip. You don’t want unanticipated delays to cause you to miss your next train, especially when you have a trip that requires numerous transfers.

Pro Tip: Always validate your tickets before departure if you do not buy tickets online. Otherwise, you may risk fines of up to a few hundred euros. Most tickets now come with QR codes that are easily accessible on mobile devices, but printing your tickets is always a good idea to carry as a backup in case your phone dies, or you’ve inconveniently lost your charger. 

How to Travel by Train in Italy – A Local’s Guide

Is train travel right for you? 

While train travel is an excellent option for moving between larger cities and between some coastal cities, it may not be suitable for you if you want to experience more off-the-beaten-path regions of Italy. 

With Italy’s many mountain ranges that run through the regions of Tuscany, Umbria, Le Marche, Veneto, and Abruzzo, train connections are only possible in the interior of some central regions of Italy. To be able to hunt for truffles, visit some of Italy’s most beautiful villages, soak up the many national parks, and experience Italy’s most underrated cities, you’ll need to rent a car and have an actual map. Yes, it’s true; Google Maps can often be unreliable in Italy, too!

Are you thinking about renting a car during your trip to Italy? Don’t forget to factor in toll costs and other expenses! Read our guide to driving in Italy HERE! 

If you’re ready to experience the hidden regions of Italy that have yet to be taken over by mass tourism, you’ll find it undoubtedly easier to explore these areas with the guidance of someone on the inside. 

Searching for the real Italy? You’ve come to the right place! When you book with The Italian on Tour, you’ll relax by unpacking once and staying in one central location with easy access to all the amenities. While it may seem like a great idea to do the “Grand Tour” of Italy’s most visited cities, this often results in a lot of stress and time wasted on train delays. 

Instead, having someone on the inside translate the Italian experience allows you to immerse yourself in local Italian culture and enjoy your time while taking the guesswork out of your Italian vacation. 

On your tour with us, you can sit back and relax knowing you’re taken care of. We’ll coordinate your travel to and from activities such as exclusive private day trips to some of Italy’s most beautiful medieval villages, award-winning wineries, and more! 

When you book your trip with us , you only have to worry about getting to Italy! We’ll take it from there. Tours include pickup from the airport, transfer to bus/train stations by a private driver, and ground transportation in private vehicles. 

Traveling as a local in Italy is NOT straightforward. You need someone inside to take out all the guesswork – and that’s where we step in! 

Grab your FREE Italy Insider’s Guide today to discover what’s possible! 

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Home / Europe via train / Train Travel in Italy: Tickets, Routes, Prices

Train Travel in Italy: Tickets, Routes, Prices

  • April 14, 2023
  • Europe via train
  • 13 min read

Italy is an amazing country with a lot to see, discover and explore. There is no better way to navigate around the country than through train travel. Italy is famed for its top-notch railway system that is well constructed, managed and maintained. Trains, tickets, popular routes and the Italy Rail Pass: Here is everything you need to know about how to discover Italy by rail.

Italy by Train: Short Info

Train Travel Italy - Florence

An Introduction to Italy by Train

Italy, among other things, has amazing cities which are marvelous and eye-catching. Through navigating the country via train, you can explore and witness the beauty of these cities. The cities include Naples, Florence, Venice, to mention but a few.

Also, there are several train companies in Italy that constantly work towards bringing new ideas and development to the railway system.

The companies include the state-owned Trenitalia , which has a fast train by the name Frecciarossa. Another Italian train is Frecciargento. Trenitalia was funded in 2000 and has since risen to greater heights. The company has had numerous recognitions, and this is no doubt due to its quality and high-speed trains and train services in Italy. The company’s Frecciarossa is a high-speed machine that connects Italy and the rest of Europe. The train is famed for its time consciousness and flexibility. Boarding and alighting are quite easy, and you get to your destination without the worry of delay. The train has several guided routes. Some include; Milan to Bologna to Florence to Rome to Naples, and finally Salerno.

Another Italian train company is Italo , which offers high-speed trains on the routes from Milan to Salerno and from Turin to Venice. These routes include stops in various cities such as Bergamo, Florence, Rome, Udine, Bolzano, and Naples.

If you want to discover more of Europe by train, read our full guide How to rail Europe or, when it comes to tickets, our guide to European Train Tickets .

Frecciarossa: The fastet Italian train

The Frecciarossa from Trenitalia is a high-speed machine that connects Italy and the rest of Europe. The train is famed for its time consciousness and flexibility. Boarding and alighting are quite easy, and you get to your destination without the worry of delay. The train has several guided routes. Some include: Milan to Bologna to Florence to Rome to Naples, and finally Salerno.

Frecciarossa features

The Frecciarossa trains are made for comfort and also consider the disabled. Some of the features on these magnificent Frecciarossa trains include

  • Air conditioner
  • Well-maintained Toilets
  • The Disabled Facilities
  • A table and charging sockets.

Above all these features, the Trenitalia Frecciarossa trains are made for high-speed for timely delivery through train travel. These Frecciarossa high-speed trains are oftenly in high demand and may require you to be alert and make preparations as early as possible to ensure no conveniences are caused. Also, the trans are divided into several cabins with different standards depending on which clients may prefer best.

The 4 Frecciarossa classes

  • Standard Class: The standard class features eco-leather reclining armchairs arranged in rows of two, a special luggage zone, and at-seat food service.
  • Business Class: The Frecciarossa Business Class features enormous reclining leather armchairs arranged in rows of 2+1, a welcome service, and a quiet carriage.
  • Premium Class: This class features extremely comfy leather reclining seats arranged in the same layout as the standard class, extra luggage space, and free newspapers and magazines.
  • Executive Class: The Trenitalia Frecciarossa Executive Class is the most exclusive class option.

Frecciarossa speed

Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa and Frecciarossa 1000 trains are the fastest trains in Italy, reaching top speeds of 300 km/h and 400 km/h respectively.

Frecciarossa routes

Frecciarossa trains run along 4 routes in Italy:

  • Turin – Milan – Bologna – Florence – Rome – Naples – Salerno
  • Milan – Reggio Emilia – Bologna – Rimini – Ancona – Pescara – Termoli – Foggia – Bari – Brindisi – Lecce
  • Venice – Padua – Bologna – Florence – Rome – Naples – Salerno
  • Milan – Brescia – Verona – Vincenza – Padua – Venice

Other Trains in Italy

Frecciargento.

The Fracciargento is one of the Italian train regional trains by Trenitalia and is one of the high-speed trains of Italy. It attains a high-speed of 200km/hr. The train passes through Venice, Leece, Verona, to mention but a few cities. The train has first-class cabins and 2nd class cabins as well. Train tickets for this strain can be acquired via various sites, which have been discussed in this article. The principal routes include Venice to Florence to Rome.

Frecciabianca

Frecciabianca is a Trenitalia Italian train that is quite behind their counterparts, Frecciarrossa and Frecciargento. Frecciabianca attains speeds of 150km/hr. Also, they have several amenities, including a bar counter and air conditioning. Frecciabianca tickets come with seat reservations. The routes taken by these trains include Milan to Rimini to Ancona all the way to Pissa then Rome. The trains have a first-class and 2nd class.

Intercity Trains

This Italian train by Trenitalia requires mandatory seat reservations, excluding those with Eurails. They are quite slower than the Frecciarossa. The principal routes taken by this train include Rome to Pisa to Milan. There are other regional trains in the country. These regional trains are used for domestic travels. The regional trains are unpopular. Regional trains are of low speed.

Another Italian train company is  Italo , which offers high-speed trains on the routes from Milan to Salerno and from Turin to Venice. These routes include stops in various cities such as Bergamo, Florence, Rome, Udine, Bolzano, and Naples.

From UK to Italy by Eurostar

Are you traveling to Italy from the UK? Then the best option is the Eurostar train. It is quite effective and very affordable fare rates. The Eurostar is efficient in that it covers many routes and depending on your destination. You will enjoy the view of several cities, including Paris. The Eurostar ticket and fare range from around 52 pounds and 72 pounds for a return ticket fare. The principal routes include London-Paris and the to Milan Italy, which is a great city full of life and adventure. From Milan, you can access a variety of cities, including Florence, Verona, and Venice. Generally, the Eurostar covers several routes, and you can choose which suits you best and evaluate fare rates. There’s the Eurostar passing through Switzerland which passes through Paris then a train to Geneva, Basel, Zurich and finally to Milan. The fare for this route is quite high, but the experience and adventure are well worth your while. Depending on your schedule, you may choose the best Eurostar and enjoy the ride.

Italy-italo-Naples

Buying Your Train Ticket

  • Where to buy? When buying train tickets, several online platforms can be of great assistance. A good example is omio.com. The platform provides self-explanatory ways to pay for your desired train tickets with fares in pounds, dollars and euros.
  • What to consider? When buying train tickets, you need to have an actual plan and consider the fare and routes that you will be taking in order to get the right train tickets and reduce the chances of any inconvenience. Bookings may vary with the period, thus the need to be alert and regularly check the sites for any updates.
  • Do I need to book my train ticket in advance? For short-distance regional trains in Italy, there’s no need to book in advance. But the long-distance trains leike Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianco, InterCity and the italo trains require a seat reservation in advance. It can happen that a specific connection is fully booked. Additionally, it’s cheaper to book in advance. Booking opens 4 months ahead.
  • How to get discounts? Trains tickets have different rates for kids and younger kids, that is, below the age of 4 travel for free. Be flexible with your train ticket booking and account for lunch hours or any stops that you may need. It is advisable to book train tickets earlier and take advantage of cheaper rates before prices fluctuate. You may use credit cards and phones to pay for the tickets. However, some charges may arise depending on the train tickets booked. Ticket fare may be for first-class or 2nd class.
  • How to pay your ticket? You need only confirm your route and know which site best suits you. Ensure you are timely and do ample research to ensure smooth operations and timely services. There are options in those sites where you can trace your routes and know whether to book one or several train tickets fare.

Eurail Pass – Italy Rail Pass

To make your train commutation an easy experience, it is best to secure convenient train tickets better known as Eurail Pass . These rail passes are designed to be used only by international visitors.

Eurail can open up Italy, the birthplace of the Roman Empire and the heart of the Renaissance. Visiting the Colosseum in Rome or Pompeii will give you glimpses of life two millennia ago. Rome is called the Eternal City and you will see why as you wander the Roman Forum and visit the Pantheon.

Then on to Venice, the city of canals and bridges and gondolas. Treat yourself to a ride down the Grand Canal. Visit St Mark’s Basilica, a magnificent cathedral. You mustn’t forget the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the city of art, Florence, the Amalfi Coast and Capri. There is more than can be seen in a year so choose wisely.

Italy-Trenitalia-Frecciarossa

The Italian Rail System

The rail system in Italy is divided into a Complimentary rail system, Fundamental lines and node lines. The fundamentals are well maintained and are the busiest are often frequented by high-speed trains. The Complimentary rail system is less busy and is frequented by regional trains. The guidelines, on the other hand, provide a channel link for the other two rail systems.

The Italian regional trains include Regionale by Trenitalia and the Regio express by Trenord, among others. Italy has many major train stations, including Rome, Venice, Naples, Milan and Turin. These cities have a major influx of rail travelers. An example, Naples has over 40 million rail users per year. Naples hosts the 6th largest station.

The biggest Italian Train Stations

  • Naples: (Statione Napoli Centrale): Trains from Naples are mostly operated by Trenitalia, although there are some competitor trains as well. Ticket booking in Naples is easy. You can access tickets through Italiaril.com and Raileurope.com. From Naples to other cities in Italy, you can get prices as low as 10 euros. After buying a ticket, you immediately get a seat reservation corresponding to your ticket. Seat reservations come automatically after buying a ticket. From Naples, you can get a train to all major cities across Europe and in Italy, including Venice. The city is frequented by high-speed trains.
  • Milan (Statione Milano Centrale): The city has a great train station known as the Centrale. The station is remarkable, and you can connect to many cities across Europe through the station. From here to other Italian cities, like Venice and Naples, train tickets cost about 20 pounds.
  • Rome (Stazione Roma Termini): The Rome terminal is an advanced station that hosts several amenities, including wifi, lounges, ATMs and ticket machines. In addition, it is strategically located, and one can have access to good restaurants and hotels and several other spots in the city. In addition, from this station, you can travel to various cities in Italy like Venice and also travel to other European cities such as Paris. This main station is known as Rome Termini. Rome also has more stations, namely, Rome Tiburtina and the Rome Ostiense. It is also frequented by high-speed trains.

Italy by train in a nutshell

When you decide to travel through or to Italy, make careful plans and objectives. Book early tickets, as mentioned earlier, to avoid rush hour prices. Choose the best cabin and train that you require. You may choose either first-class or 2nd class depending on your liking. Each cabin comes with its own advantages, but it goes without saying that the 1st class cabin is nicer. In addition, making further pans like hotel booking and food is important while traveling by train. Ensure the station you go to has access to such amenities to avoids any inconveniences through your travel.

Ensure you validate your regional train tickets before boarding in Italy. It is a requirement that should be complied with. Check on the Trenitalia website on what is and isn’t allowed in trains in Italy to ensure you don’t land yourself in trouble. All in all, the train system in Italy is quite advanced and offers the best travel experience. Due to the pandemic, some guidelines have been put in place, and it is always best to visit the Trenitalia website and review the guidelines update. The cities in Italy, such as Venice, are magnificent and present numerous opportunities to learn and discover a new kind of fun.

Do I Need to Make Seat Reservations?

In addition, while traveling in Italy with the Trenitalia Frecciarossa and the Frecciargento, you need seat reservations. Seat reservations are necessary for travel, and the fare is quite cheap. Most trains require seat reservations in Italy hence the need to properly plan yourself. Traveling into and out of Italy using the Eurostar, you require a Eurail and rail pass. Eurail and rail pass is a ticket that allows movement through European countries, including Italy. A Eurail is a must-have for the purpose of train travel. Eurail and rail pass is affordable across many countries, including Italy. A rail pass allows you to travel anywhere in Europe.

What are the most popular train routes in Italy?

  •  Milan to Salerno
  • Turin to Venice
  • From Rome to Venice
  • From Florence to Milan
  • From Pisa to Florence
  • From Milan to Zurich and to Paris
  • From Turin to Paris and to Lyon

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Everything You Need to Know About Traveling Italy by Train — From the Best Routes to Local Tips

Here’s everything you need to know about riding the rails in the "bel paese."

Laura Itzkowitz is a freelance writer and editor based in Rome. She has been contributing to Travel + Leisure since 2014, when she started as a fact checker before becoming a contributing digital editor in 2015 and going freelance in 2016. She has also held positions as a contributing editor at The Points Guy and the NYC cities editor at DuJour Magazine. In addition to Travel + Leisure , her writing has appeared in Architectural Digest , Surface Magazine , Brooklyn Magazine , T Magazine , The Wall Street Journal , Vogue, GQ, Departures, Afar, Fodor's, Town & Country , Condé Nast Traveler , Robb Report , Hemispheres, and others. When she's not jetsetting around Italy and beyond, she can be found in Rome, enjoying some cacio e pepe or relaxing at home with her husband and two dogs. Originally from the Boston area, Laura moved to New York City in 2011 to pursue a master's degree in creative writing and translation at Columbia University. She also holds a bachelor's degree in French from Smith College. * 10+ years of experience writing and editing * Co-wrote "New York: Hidden Bars & Restaurants," an award-winning guide to New York City's speakeasy scene published by Jonglez Editions in 2015 * Contributed to "Fodor's Brooklyn," published by Penguin Random House in 2015, which won silver in the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism competition * Contributed an essay to "Epic Hikes of Europe," published by Lonely Planet in 2021 * Updated the 2022 edition of "Fodor's Essential Italy"

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Best Train Routes in Italy

How to buy tickets, what to know about rail passes, what to expect on board, tips for traveling italy by train.

Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure

If you’re planning a trip to Italy and want to visit several cities or towns, the train is a great way to get around. A vast and efficient railway network runs throughout the Italian peninsula and even connects the mainland to Sicily. The trains in Italy are not only a more sustainable choice than flying, but also a convenient way to travel, since the train stations are usually right in the city center and you don’t need to arrive hours early to check your bags and go through security.

There are three main types of trains run by Italy’s state-run train operator, Trenitalia: Frecce such as the Frecciarossa are the high-speed trains that go up to 300 kilometers per hour and connect major cities like Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Bologna, Turin, and Naples; Intercity trains connect small cities like Oriveto to major cities like Rome; and regional trains connect small towns. Where you’re going will determine which type of train you can take; you might have to take a combination of trains.

“We organize tours of Florence and Pisa from Rome in a day and send our clients on the Frecciarossa,” says Elisa Valeria Bove, CEO of luxury tour operator Roma Experience . She also sends clients to Venice aboard the high-speed train, adding, “They don’t do those routes with drivers because the train is very comfortable and it’s faster.”

Read on for everything you need to know about the best train routes, how to buy tickets and rail passes, what to expect on board, and some expert tips for traveling by train in Italy.

Sergi Reboredo/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

For the ultimate luxury time-traveling journey, book a cabin aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express . Operated by Belmond, the restored 1920s trains operate on a number of routes, including Rome to Paris, Florence to Paris, and Venice to London, Paris, Amsterdam, or Brussels. On board, you’ll be treated to a sumptuous lunch and dinner served in the dining car and have the chance to enjoy music in the bar car before retiring to your sleeper cabin or suite.

Espresso Cadore

The recently restored Espresso Cadore train is a sleeper train from the 1990s that discontinued service in 2011. After more than a decade of disuse, it relaunched this year with overnight journeys from Rome to Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites. Dinner is included in the price of a private sleeper cabin, but don’t expect the level of luxury you’d find on the Orient Express. The train terminates in Calalzo Pieve di Cadore and a bus brings passengers to Cortina.

Cinque Terre Express

“Nothing is more exhilarating than feeling like you’re skimming the lagoon before arriving in Venice, stepping out of the station directly onto the Grand Canal. But the best ever wait at a train station? Manarola in Cinque Terre, where the platform hovers on the sea,” says Zoe Shapiro, Rome-based founder of Stellavision Travel , a boutique travel company that plans trips to Italy. The Cinque Terre Express stops in all five towns that make up the Cinque Terre as well as Levanto and La Spezia.

Bernina Express

For the kind of breathtaking scenery and a red vintage train that looks like it belongs in a Wes Anderson film, book a ticket aboard the Bernina Express . The route begins in Tirano, in the Dolomites, and crosses into Switzerland, arriving in St. Moritz. Along the way, it clings to the mountainside, offering eye-popping views of the Brusio Viaduct and passing waterfalls and glaciers. The highest railway in Europe, this route is actually inscribed in the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites. “If you book first-class tickets, you have a unique experience with glass ceilings,” says Bove.

penfold/Getty Images

For tickets aboard normal trains run by Trenitalia (i.e. not the special trains listed above), you can buy tickets at the ticket booths or automatic kiosks in train stations or book tickets online in advance via trenitalia.com or italiarail.com . If you’re taking a regional or Intercity train, you don’t necessarily need to book online in advance, but if you’re taking the Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, or Frecciabianca, you should definitely reserve your ticket in advance in order to ensure you can get a seat and because the price will rise the closer it gets to the train’s departure.

Keep in mind that in some cases, it’s not enough to simply buy your ticket — you must also validate it. If you have a physical ticket that you purchased at the train station, look for the little machines on the platforms and insert your ticket. If you purchased a ticket for a high-speed train online, all you have to do is show the PDF you received via email to the ticket controller. For regional and Intercity trains that you booked online, you must virtually validate your ticket by clicking the link in the email confirmation you received and checking in on your phone before the train departs from the station. Failing to validate your ticket could result in a fine.

If you’re planning to take a lot of trains, travel long-distance, or don’t know yet where exactly you want to go, a rail pass might be a good option for you. Rail passes within Italy allow for unlimited train travel within the country for a set number of days per month. Prices start at $189 for three days in one month, and up to two children ages 0-11 years old can travel for free with each adult. You can purchase rail passes at railpass.com , but for high-speed trains and overnight trains, you’ll still need to make a reservation and pay a seat reservation fee.

ewg3D/Getty Images

Italian trains are generally clean and comfortable, but the onboard experience varies depending on the type of train you’re taking. High-speed trains have bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, outlets where you can recharge your devices, and a cafe car where you can buy espresso, wine, beer, soft drinks, snacks, and sandwiches. Seats on the high-speed trains are assigned.

“If there’s not much difference in the price, then it’s always worth it to upgrade to premium or business class tickets because you get a less crowded train car, you get a roomier seat, a better class of service, usually you get a drink and a snack, and a cleaner bathroom,” says Umbria-based Elizabeth Heath , Travel + Leisure contributor and founder of Villaggio Tours . As Heath notes, business-class tickets also grant you access to the lounge inside the train station.

Regional trains and Intercity trains don’t have Wi-Fi or a cafe car, but Intercity trains have vending machines where you can buy a drink or snack. Seats on these trains are not assigned, so feel free to choose any available seat.

Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure

Plan to arrive at the train station about 20 minutes in advance. Platforms are generally posted about 10 minutes in advance, but it’s a good idea to give yourself a bit of extra time to find your way to the correct platform. In some stations, you’ll need to show or scan your ticket in order to access the platforms.

“Having had a couple of bad experiences with delayed trains and missed connections, I always try to give myself 20 minutes between trains, especially in a big station like Rome or Bologna,” says Heath. “I use the Trenitalia app to track the progress of the train in real time. It’s a really handy trip-planning tool.”

And make sure you get on the right train. Your destination is not necessarily the train’s final destination, so when looking on the departures board, make sure you look not only at the departure time but also at the train’s unique number. If you have a PDF ticket, you can find the train’s number in the upper right corner (sometimes in a red box). When in doubt, ask for help. Do not just board the first train going to your destination. If you have a ticket aboard a high-speed train, your ticket is valid only on the train you booked.

“My favorite train hack in Italy is for the savvy travelers because you have to be dexterous and careful when you use it. When you are using the mobile Trenitalia website, on the drop-down menu, there’s something that says train status that will show you the binario previsto, or the supposed platform that your train is arriving on,” Shapiro says. “However, previsto means predicted. It is not an absolute confirmation. Until you see your platform displayed on the partenze board or your correct train displayed on the platform, it’s not 100 percent. Always double check before you get on.”

If you need to change your reservation, you might be able to do so online, using the Trenitalia app, or at a customer service kiosk in the station, but only if you purchased an economy, base, premium, business, or executive ticket. Super economy tickets cannot be changed or refunded.

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Explore Italy with Trenitalia Pass

book train travel in italy

Discover the Trenitalia Pass, the travel experience specifically dedicated to foreign citizens residing outside Italy, allowing them to visit Italy, starting from €139 .  

Choose the ideal Pass for your needs between  Easy and  Comfort options; select the number of journeys ranging from 3 , 4 , 7 or 10 , and the passenger categories: Adult , Senior  or Youth . You can travel on Frecce, Frecce + Freccialink, Intercity, Intercity Night and Eurocity Italy-Switzerland trains (on domestic routes within Italy).   

To use the Pass, you must book your first journey within 11 months of the date of purchase. Depending on the type of Pass you buy, you can make 3 journeys in 7 days, 4 journeys in 7 days, 7 journeys in 15 days or 10 journeys in 30 days. Days are consecutive from the first booking.

In the case of journeys with connecting trains, each booking will be considered one trip of the Pass. 

The Pass is dedicated to foreign citizens residing outside Italy. It can be purchased in e -ticket form on this web site, at Italian ticket offices, Italian and foreign travel agencies and tour operators.

Pass types:

  • Easy: valid for travelling on Frecce (Standard level/2nd Class), Frecce+ Freccialink, Intercity (2nd Class), Intercity Night (2nd class seats and couchette services) trains and for Eurocity Italy-Switzerland on domestic routes within Italy (2nd Class);
  • Comfort: valid for travelling on Frecce (Standard, Premium and Business levels/1st/2nd Class), Frecce+ Freccialink, Intercity (1st/2nd Class), Intercity Night (seats and T2/double or T3 WL services and couchettes) trains and for Eurocity Italy-Switzerland on domestic routes within Italy (1st/2nd Class).  

Passenger categories:

  • Adult  (passengers aged between 28 and 60 years old on the date of purchase of the Pass);
  • Senior  (passengers aged 60 or over on the date of purchase of the Pass);
  • Youth  (passengers aged between 12 and 28 years old on the date of purchase of the Pass).

A maximum of 2 children (children aged between 4 and 12 on the date of purchase) can be added to each Adult Trenitalia Pass free of charge.

If the holder of an Adult Trenitalia Pass wishes to travel with more than two children aged between 4 and 12 , it is necessary to buy a Youth Pass for the third and subsequent children.

Children under 4 are allowed to travel free of charge provided they do not occupy their own seat. In case the child under 4 needs to occupy a seat, an Adult travelling with the child must be in possess of Child Pass. 

Booking changes (date/time, connection, train) can be made according to terms and conditions as of the "Base" fare and within the Pass validity frame.

If, after purchase, the passenger no longer needs to use his Pass, it is possible to claim a refund of 80% of the original purchase price by providing a refund request before booking the first journey .

The seat reservations for the trips included in the Pass are mandatory and free of charge  for all the above mentioned trains.

To use the Pass, you must book your first journey within 11 months of the date of purchase. From the date of your first booked journey, you have the number of days indicated by the type of Pass purchased to make the journeys available.

Journey bookings can be requested on this website, at Italian ticket offices, foreign and Italian travel agencies and tour operators Trenitalia call centre, self service ticket kiosks, FRECCIA Club and  FRECCIA Desk at Italian train stations.

The Pass is personal , non-transferable and nominative .

The Pass must be exhibited on A4 format or on a mobile device to Trenitalia personnel at the station or on board , along with a valid foreign identity document and the reservation for the train where the customer is travelling.

Journey bookings made with the Trenitalia Pass must be carried out within the period of validity. Trips cannot start  before midnight on the first day of validity of the Pass and must be completed by midnight on the last day of validity.

Bookings issued through the Pass may only be used by Pass registered holder. Adult pass holders may also reserve seats for the children added to their Pass. 

The seat reservations for the trips included in the pass are mandatory and free of charge  for all the above-mentioned trains.

  • Senior: (passengers over 60 years old on the date of purchase of the Pass).
  • Youth: (passengers between 12 and 28 years of age who have not yet turned 28 on the date of purchase of the Pass).
  • Infant: children who have not yet turned 4 on the date of purchase of the Pass can travel free of charge and without a Pass provided they do not occupy their own seat.
  • Child: (children between 4 and 12 on the date of purchase of the Pass): a maximum of 2 children travel free of charge provided they are accompanied by a paying adult. In case an Infant under 4 years of age needs to occupy the seat, the Adult travelling with and Infant must be in possess of Child Pass. 

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The Italian Way of Life

How to Travel by Train in Italy: A Guide to Easy Rides

how to travel by train in Italy

Buongiorno, train travel enthusiasts! This is Max, your conductor on the journey through Italy’s splendid landscapes! Are you wondering how to travel by train in Italy?

You’re on the right track! Let’s discover together how to traverse Italy’s beauty, all from the comfort of a train carriage.

Planning Your Itinerary

When planning a train itinerary through Italy, accurate scheduling and route selection are crucial for a seamless journey.

1. Major City Connections

A sleek Frecciarossa train awaits departure at Florence's bustling Santa Maria Novella station.

Italy is home to some of Europe’s most iconic cities, including Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan. When planning your travel to connect these hubs by rail, consider distance, regional attractions, and train frequencies.

  • Rome to Florence: Approximately 1.5 hours on a high-speed train.
  • Florence to Venice : Around 2 hours, perfect for a swift transition to the canals.
  • Venice to Milan: It takes just under 2.5 hours to connect the city of Lagoon with the fashion capital .

2. Scenic Routes and Destinations

Train passengers at the Manarola station, with the stunning Cinque Terre coastline as the backdrop.

Creating an itinerary that enables leisure and exploration is essential for those planning to explore Italy’s rich history and culture.

  • Cinque Terre : The Cinque Terre Express train runs from La Spezia to Levanto, linking all five coastal towns.
  • Naples, Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast : Accessible from Rome with regional trains.
  • Sicily : Longer journey with an overnight train option from Rome or Naples, including ferry crossing.

3. Planning Day Trips

  • Pompeii is a popular day trip . The local Circumvesuviana or Campania express service makes it reachable from Naples in less than an hour.
  • Layovers : Consider other picturesque towns like Siena or Lucca for short layovers.

4. Recommended Train Itinerary Sequence:

  • Start in Rome for its ancient allure.
  • Proceed to Florence , the cradle of the Renaissance.
  • Head north to Venice to experience its enchanting canals.
  • Conclude in Milan , intertwining history with modern sophistication.

Faster high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Italo) are one of the most efficient ways to travel quickly between cities. Regional services offer a more scenic, albeit slower, journey. Let’s explore the train types in Italy.

Suggested Read : 35 Best Travel Guide Books for Italy to Read

Understanding Train Types in Italy

In Italy, trains are categorized based on their speed, the distances they cover, and their primary use. Grasping the differences between these train types is essential for travelers looking to navigate the Italian rail network efficiently.

1. High-Speed Trains (Trenitalia, Italo)

How to travel by train in Italy: a modern high-speed train in Milan's historic station.

Operated by Trenitalia and Italo, high-speed trains can reach speeds over 300 km/h, significantly cutting travel time between Italian cities.

Trenitalia , the country’s main train operator, is a joint venture between the Italian government and a consortium of private investors. It manages the renowned “Frecce” trains.

  • Frecciarossa , or ‘Red Arrow,’ is Trenitalia’s premier high-speed service. It connects major cities like Rome, Milan, and Florence with frequent daily services.
  • Frecciargento , or ‘Silver Arrow,’ reaches locations that are not accessible by the Frecciarossa trains.
  • Frecciabianca , or ‘White Arrow,’ covers long-distance routes at high speeds but not as rapidly as the Frecciarossa or the Frecciargento.

Italo is a private high-speed train service that offers a competitive option to Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa. Its focus is on passenger comfort and amenities.

2. Intercity Trains

Intercity trains bridge the gap between faster trains and regional services. They cover longer distances with fewer stops than regional trains.

3. Regional Trains

Regional trains connect local destinations within Italian regions. They make frequent stops and offer an economical way to travel short distances.

Purchasing Train Tickets

An array of train tickets showcasing the ease of access to Italy's rail network.

When traveling by train in Italy, you have various options for purchasing tickets, from online platforms to ticket machines at stations.

As tickets can become available 3 to 6 months before travel, booking your train in advance is often recommended to secure availability, especially for popular routes. 

Online Ticketing

Passengers looking for convenience can purchase Italian train tickets online. Websites like Trenitalia , Trainline , and Omio offer a user-friendly interface where one can check schedules and buy tickets. After purchasing, you’ll typically receive an e-ticket, which can be printed or displayed on a smartphone.

Pro Tip : When buying train tickets online, be sure to check both Trainline and Omio. We’ve found that some tickets are only available on one platform, so checking both ensures you get full coverage and the best options.

Buying Tickets in Advance

Securing train tickets in advance is advisable, particularly for faster trains or long-distance travel, where reservations are mandatory. Purchasing in advance can also lead to better prices and guaranteed seating.

Ticket Machines at Stations

Travelers can conveniently purchase tickets from Trenitalia's machines.

Italian train stations are equipped with ticket machines, which allow passengers to buy tickets quickly on the day of travel.

These machines, available in multiple languages, accept credit cards and cash. It’s essential to validate the ticket at the small machines on the platform before boarding.

Traveling Without Reservations

For regional trains, it’s possible to travel without a reservation. In this case, you can buy tickets at station ticket machines or counters shortly before departure. However, you should be aware that without a reservation, a seat is not guaranteed if the train is full.

Ticket Pricing and Fares

book train travel in italy

Fare structures in Italy are categorized by train type and class. Ticket costs vary depending on the speed of the train, the class of service, and the route distance.

Regional trains are the most economical option, often with fixed prices that do not fluctuate with demand.

Intercity and faster trains like the Frecciarossa or Italo offer variable pricing structures, similar to airlines, where fares increase as the departure time nears or during peak travel periods.

Once again, you can save money by booking advance tickets , as last-minute fares tend to be more expensive. The most affordable base fare train tickets in Italy, known as Super Economy tickets, are available for early purchase and do not permit any modifications or cancellations.

Discounts for Children and Youth

Children typically receive discounts, with some rail operators offering heavily discounted or even free travel for children under a certain age when accompanied by an adult. Specifically:

  • Children under three years old travel free on Italo trains if seated on an adult’s lap. 
  • Children aged 4 to 15 years (or up to 12 years on regional trains) benefit from a 50% fare reduction on Trenitalia.
  • The Carta Verde (Green Card) is a special discount card designed for youths aged 12 to 26 . A yearly plan costs 40 euros.

Discounts for Seniors

Seniors may also be eligible for reduced fares, but these offers can vary between train operators.

They have the option to purchase Trenitalia’s Carta d’Argento (Silver Card) for €30 annually, which is available to individuals aged 60 to 75 and complimentary for those over 75. Additionally, Italo provides a 40% discount to senior passengers on select fares.

Travel Italy by Train: Using a Rail Pass

book train travel in italy

Rail passes like Eurail offer travelers an efficient and cost-effective way to explore Italy by train. Passholders can enjoy flexible travel and often receive discounts on local transportation. 

Purchasing a Rail Pass

To use a rail pass in Italy, one must purchase it before arriving, as they are not available for sale within the country. There are various types of Eurail passes to choose from:

  • Italy Pass : Unlimited travel within Italy.
  • Global Pass : Unlimited travel in 33 European countries.

Validity Periods

Eurail passes are valid for different lengths of time, ranging from days to months, and can be flexi-passes (a set number of travel days within a longer period) or continuous passes (unlimited travel within the validity period).

Train Reservations

While many Italian trains do not require reservations, high-speed and overnight trains often do. Passholders are advised to book these in advance, paying a reservation fee.

Benefits and Discounts

Eurail pass holders may receive:

  • Access to ferries and buses.
  • Reduced rates on private railways and local transit.
  • Discounts on certain hotels and attractions.

Using the Pass

When using a Eurail pass, you must:

  • Activate the pass at a train station in Italy.
  • Write the date of travel on each travel day.
  • Show the pass along with a passport when requested by train staff.

Tips for a Smooth Journey

  • Check schedule changes : Train schedules can vary, especially on public holidays.
  • Keep your pass safe : Lost or stolen rail passes are like losing cash and can be costly to replace.
  • Understand pass limitations : The rail pass does not cover all trains and routes.

Finding and Navigating Train Stations

The entrance to Rome's Termini Station, a central hub for traveling by train in Italy.

Locating a train station often involves looking for the well-marked sign “ Stazione ,” which makes it easy to identify.

Main train stations across the country are uniquely named, with the most common including Milano Centrale, Venezia Santa Lucia, Bologna Centrale, Firenze Santa Maria Novella, Torino Porta Nuova, Roma Termini, and Napoli Centrale. 

Once at the station, timetables are prominently displayed, providing travelers with up-to-date schedules for all departing and arriving trains.

An essential first step is to identify your departure platform (binario), which is listed alongside your train number and target location.

Navigating Italian train stations requires attention to detail: signs indicate platform ( binario ) numbers, directions, and facilities.

Station staff is usually on hand to assist in case of confusion; they can be found wearing uniforms at information desks or throughout the station.

For those unfamiliar with Italian , announcements and station signs are often available in English, especially in main stations and tourist-heavy areas.

Suggested Read : 135 Basic Italian Phrases for Travel: PDF Cheat Sheet

Train Schedules and Frequency

A timetable display at a station keeps travelers informed on the Italian train schedules.

When traveling by train in Italy, passengers find punctuality and frequency to be critical aspects of the experience. Italian trains typically adhere to a regular schedule designed to cater to frequent intercity connections and less frequent regional services.

Intercity and High-Speed Trains:

  • As mentioned earlier, Frecce trains   primarily serve the major routes connecting main cities such as Turin , Milan, Venice, Bologna , Florence, Rome, Naples, and Bari. The table below represents their standard frequency.

Regional Trains:

  • Regional trains , or treni regionali , typically run less frequently, especially in more rural or less populated areas. Schedules for these services may vary from one train every few hours to a more consistent hourly basis.

Train schedules are available online, at stations, and through various mobile apps. They are routinely updated to reflect changes due to maintenance works or seasonal adjustments. You are encouraged to check the Trenitalia or Italo  websites for the most accurate train schedules. 

Pre-Train Departure Procedures

Before boarding a train in Italy, you must follow several key steps to ensure a smooth journey. Validating tickets, locating the correct train and carriage, and handling luggage properly are all integral parts of the pre-departure process.

Ticket Validation

A traveler validating her train ticket, a necessary step when traveling by train in Italy.

Ticket validation is a crucial step in the pre-departure process. Typically, you must use the validation machines located at the station before boarding.

This process confirms the date and time of travel, preventing ticket re-use. Unvalidated tickets can result in fines, so you should ensure to complete this step before heading to the platform.

Finding Your Train and Carriage

Once tickets are validated, proceed to find their train and carriage. The train number and departure information are displayed on electronic display boards throughout the station.

Train number and departure time are the key details needed to locate the correct platform. Upon arriving at the specified platform, carriage numbers are visibly displayed beside train doors or on electronic displays along the platform.

Onboard Train Amenities and Services

Comfort meets convenience aboard a high-speed train featuring spacious seating and on-the-go services.

Luggage Accommodations: Passengers are responsible for loading and unloading their own luggage on trains and can expect decent luggage storage on trains in Italy.

Overhead luggage racks are accessible for small luggage, while designated spaces at the ends of carriages are designed for larger suitcases. 

Dining Options: Most long-distance and high-speed trains offer food and beverages. A dining car or a trolley service provides a variety of meals suitable for a range of tastes and preferences, including options for those with dietary restrictions.

Comfort and Accessibility: You will find modern comforts such as air conditioning and power outlets for charging electronic devices. Seats are designed to provide comfortable travel, with options for first or second class, each differing in space and services offered. 

The Truth About Train Travel Classes: What Really Matters

Deciding between first class and second class for your train ticket? The differences are minimal, primarily in dining options.

First Class (also called Executive Class) often includes food service, whereas Second Class might only have a vending machine (or nothing at all). 

Both classes on fast trains like Italo and Frecciarossa offer comfort, making an upgrade optional. For a quieter journey, consider a first-class silent car with restricted cell phone use, ensuring a serene trip to your Italian locale.

Accessibility and Traveling with Children

A mother and child are waiting for their train ride.

When taking a train trip through Italy with children, one can anticipate a safe and comfortable experience.

Italian transportation law mandates accessibility for all, ensuring that train stations and carriages cater to the needs of travelers with disabilities.

For Parents and Guardians:

  • Documents: Children, including infants, require their own travel documents , such as passports.
  • Expectations: Train travel can be lengthy; pack snacks, toys, and entertainment to keep young travelers content.

Travelers with Disabilities:

  • Facilities: Most train stations offer wheelchair accessibility, including restrooms and ticket counters. Always verify in advance the level of accessibility available, as not all trains and stations may be equally equipped.
  • Assistance: It is advisable to contact the train company ahead of time if specific assistance is required.

While Onboard:

  • Seating: Look for priority seating, which is typically available for those with reduced mobility or those traveling with young children.
  • Safety: Keep children supervised, especially when boarding or disembarking the train.

Traveling with Infants:

  • Healthcare: If you have any health-related concerns, such as dehydration in infants or young children with diarrhea, seek immediate medical attention. Remember to maintain adequate hydration as a key element of travel health management.

Connecting Transports and Transfers

When traveling by train in Italy, passengers can enjoy seamless connections to various modes of transportation upon arrival at their destination station.

This section outlines the transition from trains to buses, station taxi services, and car rental options.

Taxi Services at Stations

A line of taxis stands ready outside the Milano Centrale train station.

Train stations, especially at major urban centers, are equipped with designated taxi areas . Taxis are a reliable option for direct transfers to a final destination, with clearly marked ranks and regulated fares. You should look for officially licensed, usually white taxis, and display a taxi sign.

From Train to Bus

At most Italian train stations, bus terminals are nearby or directly adjacent to the station. These buses serve local urban routes and suburban areas not covered by rail services. Timetables are typically synchronized with train arrivals, facilitating hassle-free transfers.

Car Rentals

For those requiring flexibility or planning to visit areas less accessible by public transport, car rental services are available at key train stations.

Rental desks are often located within or just outside the station. Renting a car in advance is advisable to ensure availability and potentially secure better rates.

Suggested Read : Traveling to Bologna and planning to rent a car? Read Renting a Car in Bologna: Your Essential Guide .

Overnight and Long-Distance Trains

Overnight and long-distance trains efficiently traverse the expansive Italian countryside and coastal regions, connecting cities like Rome, Venice, and Milan to lesser-known locations.

Overnight trains, such as Trenitalia’s Intercity Notte , provide sleeper cabins and couchettes, allowing you to rest and arrive refreshed at your destination. Comfort varies by train type and class, with options usually including:

  • Sleeper cabins: Private compartments with beds.
  • Couchettes: Shared compartments with bunk beds.

When you consider it, traveling overnight this way is not only a time-saver but often a cost-effective alternative to hotels. You awaken to new landscapes, having covered significant ground during the night.

Italo and Frecciarossa services present options for long-distance travel, shrinking the travel time between cities. Itineraries are straightforward, and stations are well-connected, making train travel a prime choice for those seeking efficiency.

Popular Train Routes

book train travel in italy

Italy’s train network offers an extensive range of routes connecting major cities and scenic destinations efficiently and comfortably. Below are some of the most recommended train routes in Italy:

Rome to Florence : This route connects Italy’s capital with the heart of Tuscany. A high-speed train ride lasts about 1.5 hours on the Frecciarossa or Italo , making a day trip feasible.

Rome to Milan : Traversing the length of Northern Italy, the journey from Rome to Milan takes approximately 3 hours via faster train—ideal for business travelers or tourists.

Rome to Naples : A beloved route for travelers seeking the allure of the Amalfi Coast and historical sites such as Pompeii, Rome to Naples only takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours on the fastest services.

Train Routes Table:

For an enriching travel experience, consider stops in smaller towns or detours along the way to fully appreciate regional diversity.

Certain local and regional train lines are favorites among international tourists, such as the journeys from Florence to Cinque Terre or Siena and the trips from Rome to Salerno or Sorrento along the Amalfi Coast.

Suggested Read : Craving a voyage along the Italian coast after your train adventure? Read 12 Top Cruise Ports in Italy: A Mediterranean Journey .

Tips for an Enjoyable Train Experience

It may seem like common sense, but it bears mentioning: for the best train travel experience , you should:

  • Arrive early : Arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before departure to find platforms and settle in without rushing.
  • Pack light : Travel with minimal luggage for ease of movement within stations and onboard trains.
  • Keep documents handy : Always have your passport and ticket accessible for inspections.

Understanding the rail system is key when planning to travel to Italy by train. Familiarize yourself with the different types of trains and select the one that best suits your travel needs and budget.

Traveling During Peak Seasons

Peak times typically include summer months, especially August, and key holidays such as Easter and Christmas.

Schedules : During these periods, train schedules are often more crowded, and ticket availability may be limited . It is crucial for travelers to book their tickets well in advance.

Holidays: As Italian holidays approach, train stations become hubs of activity. Locals and tourists alike tend to travel to their holiday destinations, which can significantly impact train capacity and punctuality. The increased demand during holidays may lead to higher ticket prices and longer transit times.

Staying Safe and Secure

When exploring Italy via rail,  safety should be a top priority . Remain vigilant, especially in crowded stations or on busy trains. Personal belongings should be kept secure at all times to prevent theft. Utilizing anti-theft bags or waist packs can be beneficial.

Here is a concise breakdown of safety measures:

  • Personal Belongings : Keep these items out of sight and secure to avoid attracting attention.
  • Awareness : Stay alert to your surroundings.
  • Health Safety : Train travel during certain health events may require additional precautions, like wearing a mask if necessary. Don’t forget to sanitize or wash your hands frequently.
  • Emergency Contacts : Keep a list of emergency contacts, including local police, your country’s embassy or consulate ( U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Italy ), and family members.

Frequently Asked Questions

book train travel in italy

This section answers common queries about train services, ticketing options, and travel tips to ensure a smooth journey.

What are the most recommended train services to use within Italy?

Italy’s primary train service provider, Trenitalia , offers extensive routes connecting major cities and regions. It is renowned for punctuality and efficient service. Another notable option is Italo, which is known for its faster trains and modern amenities.

What options are available for purchasing train tickets in Italy?

Train tickets for trips in Italy can be purchased online, through mobile apps, at ticket machines, or train station ticket counters. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended, especially for long-distance travel, to secure the best fares.

Can travelers buy unlimited train passes for Italy, and what are the options?

Travelers can opt for the Eurail Italy Pass or the Interrail Italy Pass, which offers unlimited travel within Italy for a set number of days. These passes provide flexibility and can be cost-saving for tourists planning to visit multiple locations. I invite you to read this excellent article by Rick Steves about Italian rail passes. 

How far in advance should I purchase my train tickets? 

For smoother Italian train travel, booking your tickets 3 to 6 months ahead, particularly for busy routes, is advisable to ensure you get a seat.

What should one know about managing luggage during train travel in Italy?

Passengers are usually allowed to bring luggage on Italian trains without an extra fee. Storage areas are available at the ends of carriages or above seats. Still, passengers should monitor their belongings, as train stations and trains are public spaces.

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What’s in this article

Italy’s well-known for its rich history, striking architecture, stunning landscapes, and mouth-watering cuisine. 

Travelling by train in Italy is a convenient and enjoyable way to explore Italy’s magnificent cities and charming towns.

Italy boasts an extensive rail network that seamlessly connects major cities and picturesque countryside, offering a cosy and hassle-free journey.

The affordable tickets and trains’ speed and efficiency make travel much more accessible. When travelling between large cities, the trains have a perfect drop-off spot, avoiding the stress of parking and traffic jams.

Note that not all regions offer the same level of service and accessibility, prioritizing available options suitable for exploration.

This blog post discusses the differences between regional and high-speed trains and gives tips and tricks to ensure an unforgettable and smooth Italian train journey.

Begin your adventurous journey through the charming landscapes and vibrant cities of Italy.

In a previous article, I delved into the topic of renting a car in Italy and the joys of embarking on a memorable road trip in this captivating country.

Planning Your journey by Train in Italy

Research your route.

When preparing for your Italian train adventure, it’s important to plan ahead and research the various train routes available.

Fortunately, getting around Italy is a breeze, especially with the help of several handy apps that I personally love using when I’m planning my trips.

First, there’s the Moovit App , which is perfect for planning all kinds of trips. It focuses on public transportation and covers everything from subways and trains to ferries and buses.

It’s my go-to app that I really find useful for getting around.

Another app that I trust is Google Maps .

It’s always with me when I’m navigating public transport in Europe.

To use it, simply enter your destination and select the train icon when checking out the directions.

Apart from these apps, Trenitalia and Italo websites are also fantastic resources for finding train schedules and planning your journey.

Names of the major Italian train stations

In most larger Italian cities, you’ll find multiple train stations, with one typically serving as the “main” station. 

Here’s a friendly list of the main train stations in some popular Italian cities:

  • Turin : Torino Porta Nuova 
  • Venice : Venezia Santa Lucia
  • Verona : Verona Porta Nuova
  • Milan : Milano Centrale 
  • La Spezia: La Spezia Centrale ( Cinque Terre )
  • Florence: Firenze Santa Maria Novella (Firenze S.M.N.)
  • Bologna: Bologna Centrale 
  • Rome : Roma Termini
  • Naples : Napoli Centrale
  • Salerno : Stazione di Salerno Irno
  • Palermo : Palermo Centrale
  • Bari : Bari Centrale

Pro tip : To find the main train station in a city, search for “city name” plus “centrale” or “stazione”. For example, Milano Centrale or Stazione Milano.

Italy’s main train routes

Italy has several main train routes that connect the major cities and regions of the country. 

Some of the most popular and important train routes include:

  • Milano – Roma : This route connects two of Italy’s most important cities, Milan and Rome. Both high-speed Frecciarossa (Trenitalia) and Italo trains operate on this route, and the journey takes about 3 hours.
  • Firenze – Roma : This route connects the beautiful city of Florence with the capital, Rome. Both high-speed Frecciarossa and Italo trains operate on this route, and the journey takes about an hour.
  • Firenze – Venezia: This route connects the city of Florence with the floating city of Venice; the journey takes about 2 hours.
  • Milano – Venezia : This route connects the fashion capital of Milan with the romantic city of Venice. The journey takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
  • Roma – Napoli : This route connects the capital Rome with the coastal city of Naples. Both high-speed Frecciarossa and Italo trains operate on this route, and the journey takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
  • Roma – Venezia: This route connects Rome to Venice, and the journey takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
  • Milano – Torino : This route connects the two major cities of Milan and Turin. The journey takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
  • Roma – Bari : This route connects Rome with the southern city of Bari. The journey takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes.
  • Firenze – Napoli : This route connects the beautiful city of Florence with the coastal city of Naples. The journey takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes.

These are just a few examples of the fastest main train routes in Italy, but there are many other options available depending on your destination.

Once you’ve chosen your ideal route, remember that booking your train tickets in advance is highly recommended.

This will save you both time and money, as reserving ahead of time can lead to significant savings. 

But before you buy train tickets to Italy online, there are a few things to keep in mind.

What are the different types of trains in Italy?

Italy’s rail network features a variety of train types, from the high-speed trains like Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca, and Italo, to the convenient Intercity trains, and regional trains including Regionale, Interregionale, and Suburbano.

Trenitalia, the government-owned company, plays a pivotal role in operating the majority of trains in Italy, ensuring reliability and efficiency throughout the network. Now, let’s have a closer look at the different types of trains in Italy, their unique features and advantages.

Italy’s High-speed Trains: Trenitalia or Italo?

Train travel in Italy - Trenitalia Frecciarossa and Italo high-speed trains

High-speed trains in Italy are designed for long-distance travel and connect major cities like Venice, Milan, Turin, Florence, Rome, and Naples, at impressive speeds. 

These trains can reach speeds of up to 300 km/h (186 mph), significantly reducing travel time between destinations.

High-speed trains offer a more comfortable travel experience with spacious seating, air conditioning, and power outlets for charging electronic devices.

Some of them also provide Wi-Fi and a dining car.

Here are the prominent high-speed train services in Italy :

  • Frecce – Frecciargento, Frecciarossa, and Frecciabianca (Red, Silver, and White Arrows) are Trenitalia’s high-speed trains, with Frecciarossa being the fastest. Frecciarossa travels at up to 300 km/h (185 mph) and connects major cities daily. Frecciargento trains run on both high-speed and conventional lines, reaching speeds of up to 250 km/h (155 mph). Frecciabianca trains operate on traditional lines outside the high-speed network, achieving 250 km/h (155 mph) while ensuring comfort and quality services.
  • Italo is a privately-owned high-speed train service that specialises in high-speed (alta velocità) intercity trains. Their service is comparable to Trenitalia’s, but they boast the newest and best trains, comfortable seats, ample space even in second class, and frequent great deals. Here you’ll find some of the latest deals !

Regional Trains in Italy

Italy’s regional trains are operated by Trenitalia and are more budget-friendly due to their slower pace and additional stops.

They are ideal for travelling short distances between smaller towns, making them perfect for uncovering Italy’s hidden gems. 

Regional trains are more basic in terms of comfort and amenities. 

They usually have fewer services on board and may not have air conditioning or power outlets.

Here are the two primary types of regional trains:

  • Regionale (R) – Regional trains connect towns and cities within a specific region. They travel at slower speeds and have frequent stops. They’re perfect for visiting quaint towns and villages. 
  • Regionale Veloce (RV) – These faster regional trains offer an accelerated service compared to regular regional trains. While they stop at fewer stations, they are an excellent option for covering slightly longer distances within a specific region.

InterCity Trains

InterCity trains bridge the gap between high-speed and regional trains, reaching 200 km/h (125 mph). 

They serve medium-sized cities and smaller destinations and are the lowest level among train categories requiring reservations. 

Here are the key features of InterCity trains:

  • InterCity (IC) – These trains connect major cities across Italy, offering a balance between speed and affordability. They are equipped with comfortable seating, air conditioning, and onboard amenities, ensuring a pleasant journey. You’ll also find Eurocity (EC) high-speed trains that cross borders, such as those from France to Italy.
  • InterCity Notte – InterCity Notte trains are night trains connecting major cities across Italy and Europe (Euronight ) and are operated by Trenitalia. They are a convenient option to cover long distances while enjoying a restful sleep onboard. They offer sleeper cabins and couchettes, making them a popular choice for overnight travel between cities.

Other Specialised Trains in Italy

Italy also boasts a few specialised train services that cater to unique travel experiences:

  • Leonardo Express – Operating between Rome’s Termini Station and Fiumicino Airport, the Leonardo Express is an efficient airport transfer train. It provides a quick and reliable connection, allowing travellers to easily reach the heart of Rome or catch a flight.
  • Bernina Express – Crossing the breathtaking landscapes of the Italian and Swiss Alps, the Bernina Express is a panoramic train journey that takes you through UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It offers unrivalled views of snow-capped mountains, sparkling lakes, and charming alpine villages.
  • Campania Express is a brand new train service that conveniently connects the vibrant cities of Naples and Sorrento. Operating along the same route as the Circumvesuviana commuter train tracks, this service offers a higher level of comfort and convenience with its limited stops and enhanced amenities. With allocated seating and refreshing air conditioning, the Campania Express aims to provide a more pleasant travel experience, catering specifically to tourists. While it may not be luxurious, it proves to be a fantastic option, especially if you’re travelling with bulky luggage or children.
  • Malpensa Express is a dedicated shuttle that seamlessly links Milan-Malpensa Airport to the bustling Milan Central Station. To ensure a hassle-free journey, tickets for the Malpensa Express can be conveniently purchased in advance through their user-friendly website or obtained on the day of departure at the station itself.
  • In addition to these services, Italy boasts several other remarkable train options. Trenord (Lombardy regional trains), the Circumetnea (taking you around the majestic Mt. Etna), and the Circumvesuviana (connecting Naples to Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Sorrento).

Train Travel in Italy Tickets: First and Second Class  

There isn’t a significant gap between travelling in first and second class on trains in Italy. 

Most visitors find second class perfectly satisfactory. 

However, first-class ticket holders can enjoy a few extra perks, such as additional space, more legroom, a light snack, and a newspaper.

Here are some more details about the different ticket classes available in Italy:

Trenitalia – Frecciarossa High-Speed Services :

– Second Class / Standard: This class offers WiFi, air conditioning, power outlets, tables, food, and bar service, as well as an entertainment portal.

– First Class / Premium : In addition to the amenities provided in Standard, Passengers in Premium class enjoy spacious leather seats, newspapers, and a welcome drink.

– Business Class : Similar to First Class, Business Class offers extra leg and elbow room, as well as table service.

  • Executive Class : Executive Class provides the same benefits as First Class but also includes 10-seat coaches, access to the station’s club lounge, gourmet meals, and even access to a 6-seat meeting room.

Trenitalia – Other Frecce and InterCity trains :

  • You’ll find both first and second-class options available. Occasionally, there are also Business, Premium, or Standard classes, although they may not be as luxurious as the Frecciarossa trains. However, rest assured that these trains still offer a comfortable journey, complete with amenities like air conditioning and individual power sockets. While the first class does provide a bit more space, the overall difference between the two classes is not significant.

Trenitalia – Regional and Regional Veloce trains :

  • Second class is the standard choice, with occasional trains offering first class as well. First-class tickets may come at a slightly higher price, but they offer a quieter and more peaceful environment for your journey.

Train travel in Italy - Italo train Smart Ambience coach in Padua train railroad

Italo Trains:

  • Second Class / Smart Ambience : In Smart Ambience, passengers can expect WiFi, air conditioning, power sockets, comfortable leather seats, and a snack area.
  • First Class / Ambience Prima: similar to Smart but with additional space and wider seats, fast track services, individual power sockets, in-seat catering, and newspapers.
  • Club Ambience : Club Ambience class goes a step further, providing all the perks of Prima, along with dedicated catering services, personal screens, and access to Club lounges in major stations.

Keep in mind that the services and amenities offered in first and second class can vary depending on the train and the route, so it is always best to check the specific train’s website or ask the train company for more information.

Italy train travel: Should you buy train tickets in advance?

It is generally a good idea to buy train tickets in advance, as they can be cheaper than buying them on the day of travel.

Additionally, booking in advance ensures that you secure a seat, as trains can fill up quickly, especially during peak travel times.

As expected, high-speed train tickets are generally more expensive than regional train tickets. 

However, if you book in advance, you can find discounted fares for high-speed trains, making them a more affordable option for long-distance travel.

Tickets usually become available 3-4 months before the travel date, and the earlier you book, the better the deals you can find. 

Keep in mind that discounted tickets are limited and may sell out quickly. 

There’s no need to worry about booking regional train tickets in advance, as their prices are based on the distance you’ll be travelling, which means there aren’t any early booking discounts. 

Just head to the station when you’re ready to travel and grab your tickets from the ticket window or an automated kiosk.

But hey, if you prefer a more convenient option, you can always purchase your regional rail tickets online. 

This way, they’ll be ready on your phone, and you can skip the lines at the ticket machines. 

One crucial tip to remember before boarding a regional train, is to make sure to validate your ticket at the validation machines located on the departure platform. Failure to do so may result in a fine.

High-speed train tickets purchased online or at the ticket counter are automatically validated and do not require this step.

Let’s recap the main train types in Italy and whether they require advance booking or not:

  • Long-distance or high-speed trains: These trains, such as the Frecciarossa and Italo , are very popular and can fill up quickly, especially during peak travel season. It’s a good idea to book your tickets as far in advance as possible to secure a seat. Online booking typically offers the best prices, and fares tend to increase as the departure date approaches. High-speed trains connect major cities like Naples, Rome, Florence, Milan, and Venice, and tickets for most of these routes can be purchased three to four months in advance.
  • Regional and Intercity Trains: There’s no need to book regional trains in advance. These trains are priced based on the distance travelled, so there are no early booking discounts. Simply arrive at the station and purchase your tickets at the ticket window or automated kiosk. However, it’s still a good idea to book in advance, especially during peak travel season, or if you prefer to have them readily available on your phone, saving you from waiting in line at the ticket machines.
  • Night trains: These trains, such as the InterCity Notte and the Euronight, are convenient for overnight travel, but it’s a good idea to book in advance, as sleeping compartments and couchettes can fill up quickly.

In general, booking your tickets at least a few weeks in advance is recommended to ensure you have a seat and that the fare is reasonable. 

If you are travelling during peak season, such as the summer or Christmas holidays, it’s even more important to book as early as possible.

When it comes to choosing between intercity or regional trains and high-speed trains, it’s worth noting that high-speed trains are faster and more comfortable. 

While they may be more expensive, the time savings they offer often make up for the additional cost. 

However, if you’re on a tight budget, there’s no shame in opting for a cheaper train option.

W here to buy Italy train tickets?

There are several ways to buy train tickets in Italy:

  • Online : You can purchase train tickets online on the Trenitalia website and the Italo website . This is the most convenient and quickest way to buy train tickets.
  • Train stations : You can also purchase train tickets at train stations. This is a good option if you prefer to buy in person or if you need assistance with your purchase.
  • Self-service ticket machines : Most train stations have self-service ticket machines, which can be used to buy train tickets.
  • Third-party booking platforms like Trainline or Omio are fantastic search engines that offer a convenient way to compare and book train tickets throughout Europe. These platforms make it incredibly easy to purchase tickets using your credit card, and you can secure them at the same price as the official Trenitalia website. Another noteworthy aspect is that these platforms are designed specifically for English-speaking travellers, ensuring a user-friendly experience.

Keep in mind that when purchasing a train ticket, you’ll need to provide the departure and arrival stations, the date and time of travel, and the class of service (e.g., first class or second class).

book train travel in italy

Are rail passes a good value for Italy?

Well, it’s worth considering before making a decision, especially if your travel plans are primarily focused on exploring Italy.

In Italy, the majority of train passengers tend to take short rides within the popular Milan-Venice-Florence-Rome circuit. These journeys typically cost less than €50 for a second-class ticket. In such cases, buying point-to-point train tickets turns out to be more cost-effective than purchasing a rail pass, which often exceeds €50 per day. It’s also important to note that most high-speed trains in Italy require you to make a paid seat reservation when using a Eurail pass; the reservation costs around €10 per seat.

You must make the reservation before you get on the train, limiting the convenience of a rail pass for frequent hopping on and off.

That being said, it’s important to consider that longer-term rail passes offer reduced per-day fees. So if you’re planning to embark on extensive train travel throughout Italy or even beyond as part of a larger European trip, a rail pass could be a more sensible choice.

Do I need to print my tickets?

In Italy, you have a few options for how to present your train tickets:

  • Print your ticket : You can print your train ticket at home or save the PDF to your phone or tablet and have the conductor scan it from there. This is a good option if you prefer to have a physical copy of your ticket.
  • Use the Trenitalia or Italo app : You can download the Trenitalia or Italo app on your smartphone and use it to purchase and show your train tickets. Make sure to have your phone fully charged and the app open with the ticket displayed when boarding the train.
  • Use the Electronic Ticket : Some train tickets can be sent to your email, and you can show them on your phone or tablet. Make sure that you can access the email or have a printout of the ticket when boarding the train.
  • Pickup from the Station : Print your tickets at the train station using your credit card or a booking number.

It’s worth noting that some train stations or trains may not have the capability to check electronic tickets, so it’s a good idea to have a backup option, such as a printout or a screenshot of the ticket on your phone.

In general, it’s always a good idea to double-check the specific train’s website or ask the train company for more information on how to present your ticket before your trip.

Tips for a Smooth Train Travel in Italy

Train travel in Italy: Italo train ticket example with notes

Boarding a train in Italy is relatively straightforward, but here are some tips to make the process go smoothly:

  • Pack Light: Train stations in Italy often have stairs and limited elevator access. To make your journey more comfortable, pack light and use luggage with wheels for easy maneuverability.
  • Arrive at the station early : It is a good idea to arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before your train departs. This will give you ample time to locate your platform, validate your ticket (if necessary), and find your seat.
  • Buy your ticket : If you haven’t pre-booked a ticket, you can easily purchase one either from a ticket machine or in person at the station.
  • Check the departure platform number : Make sure you know the departure platform number (Partenze in Italian) of your train, as it will be displayed on the electronic boards in the station. Keep in mind that the display might only show the final destination. Therefore, it’s a good idea to verify the train number on your ticket to ensure you’re headed in the right direction (look at the example in the photos above).
  • Validate your ticket: If you’re traveling on a regional train, don’t forget to validate your ticket at the validation machines located on the platform. Failure to do so may result in a hefty fine, so make sure you get it validated to avoid any trouble. High-speed train tickets purchased online or at the ticket counter are automatically validated and do not require this step.
  • Show your ticket: It’s worth noting that Italian rail stations do not have security checks. Instead, there will be ticket inspections conducted onboard the train, so ensure you have a valid ticket ready for inspection.
  • Check the coach number: Before the train arrives, check the location of your designated carriage, the number on the train, and the one on your ticket. Being in the right place ahead of time allows you to board promptly, as the train won’t wait for latecomers.
  • Find your seat: Once you are on the train, locate your seat. Your seat number will be printed on your ticket. Keep your ticket with you, as you may be asked to show it again during the journey.
  • Store your luggage: Once you have found your seat, store your luggage in the overhead compartments or the designated luggage areas at the end of each carriage. This way, you can keep your belongings safe and ensure a comfortable journey. Be mindful of the space and other passengers.
  • Enjoy the ride: Sit back and enjoy the beautiful Italian countryside as you travel to your destination.
  • Get off at the right stop: Make sure you know the name of the station you are getting off at and be ready to disembark when the train arrives. One important thing to remember is that trains only stop for a short period during a changeover. Be aware of the limited time and plan accordingly to ensure a smooth transition.

Beware of Train Station Scams in Italy

When it comes to train travel in Italy, you can generally expect a safe and convenient experience.

However, it’s important to be aware of potential scams and situations that may compromise your security.

Here are a few things to watch out for:

Ticketing Machine Scam

One common scam involves individuals posing as helpful assistants at ticketing machines.

These people may approach you while you’re purchasing your ticket and offer their assistance.

It’s important to note that unless they are wearing official Trenitalia or Italo Treno attire and carrying identification, they are not there to genuinely help you, at least not without expecting something in return.

They may be looking for a tip or, even worse, attempting to pickpocket you.

Stay cautious, and don’t fall for their tricks.

Baggage Handling “Helpers”

If you’re travelling with large and heavy suitcases, be prepared for individuals who claim to be helpful and offer assistance with your luggage.

However, it’s crucial to remember that these individuals are not official porters but rather people seeking tips or, in some cases, trying to steal your belongings.

Be especially cautious if someone approaches you too closely or offers excessive help.

While there are genuinely kind people out there, it’s essential to maintain awareness and keep your belongings secure at all times.

While these scams exist, it’s important to remember that they don’t overshadow the overall safety and convenience of train travel in Italy.

By staying vigilant, using common sense, and keeping your valuables close, you can greatly reduce the chances of falling victim to such scams.

Dealing with Train Strikes in Italy

Train strikes (sciopero dei treni in Italian) are not uncommon in Italy.

Keep an eye on local news and the Trenitalia website for any strike announcements.

If a strike occurs, your train may be delayed or cancelled.

In such cases, Trenitalia usually offers alternative transportation or a refund.

The impact of a strike can vary, ranging from major disruptions affecting multiple trains and journeys to minor inconveniences limited to specific routes.

However, rest assured that a basic level of essential services is typically maintained.

If you find yourself travelling during a train strike, it’s crucial to remain flexible and adaptable.

Stick to your original schedule and first check if your train is still operating as planned.

If it’s not, don’t panic.

Instead, seek out alternative options recommended by the service providers to help you reach your destination.

It’s important to note that predicting the exact impact of the strike on your specific train can be challenging without advance notice.

Therefore, the best approach is to stay informed and go with the flow as the situation unfolds.

Keep an open mind and consider the available alternatives that arise along the way.

While a train strike can be frustrating, it’s also an opportunity to embrace the unexpected and find creative solutions to continue your journey.

Be Prepared for Delays

Train delays can happen, especially on regional trains.

Keep an open mind and be prepared for potential delays.

Use this time to enjoy the scenery, chat with fellow travellers, or catch up on your reading.

Learn Basic Italian Phrases For traveling by Train in Italy

Please note that this blog post is not an exact transcript of the podcast episode linked below. However, if you give it a listen, you’ll find the pronunciation of the Italian words, which are conveniently highlighted in bold.

While many Italians speak English, learning a few basic Italian phrases can enhance your train travel experience.

Simple phrases like “Buongiorno” (good morning), “Grazie” (thank you), and “Scusi” (excuse me) can go a long way in making your journey more enjoyable and immersive.

Here are some more Italian train travel vocabulary:

  • Treno – train
  • Stazione ferroviaria – Train station
  • Ferrovia – railroad, railway 
  • Biglietto – ticket
  • Di sola andata – one way only
  • Andata e ritorno – return trip
  • Orario dei treni – Timetable
  • Partenza – departure
  • Arrivo – Arrival
  • Binario – platform / track 
  • Sottopassaggio – underpass 
  • In ritardo – late
  • In anticipo – early 
  • Prenotazione – reservation
  • Carrozza – carriage 
  • Posto a sedere – Seat
  • Prima classe – First class
  • Seconda classe – Second class
  • Bagaglio – luggage

And here are some common expressions you’ll need when asking for information:

  • Dov’è la stazione ferroviaria / dei treni? – Where is the train station?
  • A che ora parte il treno? – What time does the train leave?
  • A che ora arriva il treno? – What time does the train arrive?
  • Dove posso comprare i biglietti? – Where can I buy tickets? 
  • Posso comprare il biglietto qui? – Can I buy a ticket here?
  • Quanto costa il biglietto per (city name)? – How much does the ticket to (city) cost?
  • Vorrei comprare un biglietto per (city name) – I would like to buy a ticket to …
  • Un biglietto di sola andata per (city name), per favore. – A one way ticket to …,please.
  • Un biglietto di andata e ritorno per (city name), per favore. – A return ticket for (city name), please.
  • Da quale binario parte il treno per (city name)? – From which platform does the train for …leave?
  • Dov’è il binario (platform number)? – Where is the platform (number)?
  • È libero questo posto? – Is this seat taken?
  • Mi può aiutare con il bagaglio, per favore? – Can you help me with my luggage, please?
  • Qual’è la prossima fermata? – What is the next stop?
  • È in ritardo il treno? – Is the train late?

Essential Tips for Train Stations and Train Safety in Italy

When navigating train stations in Italy, it’s crucial to prioritise your safety in the midst of the bustling crowds.

While train travel in Italy is generally safe, it’s essential to keep an eye on your luggage at all times.

Use luggage racks above your seat or at the end of the car for small bags, and keep valuable items with you.

Avoid carrying wallets in back pockets or using unattended pockets, such as those found on backpacks.

In the evening, train stations and local trains may attract individuals looking to cause trouble.

This situation can be particularly unpleasant and potentially hazardous, especially for solo female travellers.

Exercise extra caution after nightfall and adhere to basic safety precautions as you would in any major city.

In a nutshell

Train travel in Italy offers a unique and memorable way to explore the country’s diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

By planning your route, choosing the right train type, and following my tips for a smooth journey, you’ll have a pleasant and stress-free experience while traveling by train in Italy.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to leave a comment or DM me, I’ll be happy to help.

Ciao e Buon viaggio!

Disclaimer : This post may contain affiliate links. This means that I will earn a small commission if you use these links at absolutely no cost to you! This will help me be able to continue to run Italia Like A Local. Thank you so much for your support!

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I'm a freelance travel writer and SEO copywriter, and I absolutely love what I do. Writing has always been a passion of mine, and traveling is the ultimate source of inspiration for me. In fact, I became particularly drawn to planning travel experiences in Italy back in 2015, and I've been hooked ever since!

I'm what you might call a "slow traveler" - someone who likes to take their time exploring new places and soaking up different cultures. And when I started writing about my travels a few years ago, I was blown away by the incredible opportunity it gave me to share my experiences with others and learn from them in turn. It's truly an amazing thing!

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A child is between the ages of 4 and 11 years.

Many trains in Italy and beyond offer a discounted fare between 30% & 50% off the Adult fare for Children.

The child offer is now extended to children ages 4 to 14 years when traveling on high-speed Frecciarossa, Frecciabianca, Frecciargento, InterCity, InterCityNotte, EuroCity, and Thello trains. Your child will be assigned his/her own seat and children must be accompanied by an Adult when traveling on this offer.

Regional trains will still offer discounted fares for children ages 4 to 11 years.

Infants & Children 3 & under travel for free and will share a seat with the adult companion.

This option is for customers that have already purchased a Eurail Pass or InterRail Pass and wish to reserve seats or sleeping berths. Learn more about rail passes.

Most high-speed and long-distance trains require seat reservations. The fare rules for each train indicate whether seat reservations are necessary.

Note: An ItaliaPass does not entitle customers to use of passholder fares.  Roundtrip tickets are not available using a Eurail Pass or InterRail Pass.

By clicking the "I ACCEPT" button below you acknowledge that passholder fares may only be used in combination with a valid Eurail Pass or Interrail Pass.

Save as much as 10-30% OFF rail Enjoy flexible ticket changes Amazing deals on tours, transfers, and more Dedicated travel coordinator (for the best service, book at least 2 weeks in advance)

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How far in advance should I book my train tickets?

Trenitalia's train schedules and fares are typically only released between 90-120 days in advance*, so it's not a good idea to solidify travel plans before that point—the timetable can change seasonally.

You can buy your train tickets roughly 2 months ahead of when you'll need them, and can even book them the day before your train trip. Once you're in Italy, you can buy tickets just before you get on a train.

Buying tickets soon after they're released gives you a better chance of securing seats during busy travel days, and may give you access to sales or ticket discounts that are only available for advance purchases.

*  The 90-120 day figure refers to high-speed trains. Regional train tickets are usually only available about 60 days in advance.

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  1. Train Travel in Italy: The Ultimate Guide

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  2. How to Travel by Train in Italy

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  3. How to buy tickets for train travel in Italy

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  4. Explore Italy by Train

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  5. HOW TO TRAVEL BY TRAIN IN ITALY

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  2. Italy‘s Frecciargento high-speed train

  3. TrenItalia—Europe 2010

  4. Crans Montana by train

  5. Travel Biggest Train Station 🇮🇹| 72 Hours Train Travel

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COMMENTS

  1. ItaliaRail

    Travel Italy by train: Book your Italian train tickets. Many trains in Italy and beyond offer a discounted fare between 30% & 50% off the Adult fare for Children. The child offer is now extended to children ages 4 to 14 years when traveling on high-speed Frecciarossa, Frecciabianca, Frecciargento, InterCity, InterCityNotte, EuroCity, and Thello ...

  2. EN

    Travel with our FRECCE trains, at high speed, departing and arriving from the center of the main cities. Buy the tickets online with our offers.

  3. How To Buy Train Tickets in Italy

    What you need to know about booking train tickets in Italy and tips for getting the cheapest prices. Transportation. June 27, 2023 ... Join me to learn more about the best travel backpacks, train travel in Europe, curated packing lists, European city travel guides, cheap data plans, itinerary planning, and money-saving strategies to help you ...

  4. Train travel in Italy, a beginner's guide

    So on the day of travel you'd pay the Base fare, Rome-Florence €55, Rome-Venice €99, but if you book in advance you can buy a cheap Economy or Super-Economy fare from as little as €19.90 Rome-Florence or €29.90 Rome-Venice, assuming you're OK with limited or no refunds or changes to travel plans. It's your call!

  5. Trains in Italy

    Buying Italian train tickets in advance. You can buy your train tickets in advance if you're travelling on an Intercity or high-speed train in Italy (e.g. Frecciarossa, Italo, Frecciargento) for routes like Rome to Florence, Milan to Rome or Milan to Venice and want to save money. In general, the earlier you book, the more you'll save - the cheapest ticket fares tend to sell out much ...

  6. Trains in italy

    Find Train Tickets in Italy. 2 Travelers. Many trains in Italy and beyond offer a discounted fare between 30% & 50% off the Adult fare for Children. The child offer is now extended to children ages 4 to 14 years when traveling on high-speed Frecciarossa, Frecciabianca, Frecciargento, InterCity, InterCityNotte, EuroCity, and Thello trains.

  7. Italy Train Guide

    Most high-speed trains require you to make a reservation when using a Eurail pass — the reservation costs around €10/seat. You must make the reservation before you get on the train. There are a few ways to make reservations: Online: ItaliaRail.com lets you book your reservation online through their platform.

  8. Trains in Italy

    Omio makes it easy to travel around Italy by train. You can see daily live train timetables weeks in advance and book train tickets right there and then. If you prefer mobile tickets, you can use the Omio app for instant delivery to your mobile device. When booking train tickets in Italy with Omio, you can plan your trips efficiently and ...

  9. City-to-city train tickets in Italy

    Find Train Tickets in Italy. 2 Travelers. Many trains in Italy and beyond offer a discounted fare between 30% & 50% off the Adult fare for Children. The child offer is now extended to children ages 4 to 14 years when traveling on high-speed Frecciarossa, Frecciabianca, Frecciargento, InterCity, InterCityNotte, EuroCity, and Thello trains.

  10. Train Travel in Italy: The Ultimate Guide

    Train Travel in Italy: The Ultimate Guide. Train travel in Italy is relatively easy, but may pose some challenges if you have never been to the country or if you are not used to this mode of transportation. This is why we have created this ultimate guide to traveling by train in Italy, which you can also print out and carry with you during your ...

  11. How to travel by train in Italy

    Check the location of your carriage so you are in place and can board on time - the train will not wait. Store your luggage overhead or in the luggage compartments at the end of each carriage. 3. On board. Italian trains tend to have small luggage racks, making large cases a bit of a burden when traveling by rail.

  12. How to buy train tickets for Italy online: 7 simple steps

    Step 1: Choose your train operator. Selecting the right train operator when you book your Italy train tickets is crucial. While there are several options available, two of the most reliable choices are Trenitalia and Italo. Both are bookable via Trainline, and we offer user-friendly interfaces, extensive route options, and secure payment methods.

  13. The ultimate guide to train travel in Italy

    There are two train companies operating in Italy: Trenitalia and Italo. The main difference between the two is that Italo only offers fast trains connecting major cities (like Milan, Rome, Venice, Turin, Florence, Naples), while Trenitalia offers high-speed, intercity, and regional trains. So, if you need to get to small towns and villages, you ...

  14. How to Travel by Train in Italy

    Train travel in Italy can be a great experience once you know how to navigate the logistics and understand its limitations. With the modernization of trains, Italy boasts one of the best travel systems in Europe. Italy's two largest cities, Rome and Milan, are now connected by just a few hours on a superfast train that reaches up to 200 MPH!

  15. ᐅ TRAIN TRAVEL IN ITALY » Tickets, Routes, Rail Pass

    There are options in those sites where you can trace your routes and know whether to book one or several train tickets fare. Type of Ticket for Trains in Italy. Price. Trenitalia Ticket. from €9,90 / 19,90€ / 29,90€. Italo Tickets.

  16. Train Travel in Italy

    Note that routes sometimes change, so always check train schedules. For a printable PDF version of the map, click HERE or on the map and a new tab with open with the PDF. 2. Buying Tickets for Trains in Italy. Once you've decided you want to take the train, you have a few options for purchasing your train tickets.

  17. Italy Rail Passes and Train Tips

    Le Frecce trains: These trains provide most of the high-speed service on the main lines between Turin, Milan, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples, and Bari. Reservations are required, and cost about $12 per leg if you have a rail pass. EuroCity, InterCity, and international trains: Reservations are required, and cost about $10 if you have a ...

  18. Guide to Train Travel in Italy

    Tips for Traveling Italy by Train. Passenger on a train in Italy. Plan to arrive at the train station about 20 minutes in advance. Platforms are generally posted about 10 minutes in advance, but ...

  19. Trenitalia Pass

    You can travel on Frecce, Frecce + Freccialink, Intercity, Intercity Night and Eurocity Italy-Switzerland trains (on domestic routes within Italy). To use the Pass, you must book your first journey within 11 months of the date of purchase. Depending on the type of Pass you buy, you can make 3 journeys in 7 days, 4 journeys in 7 days, 7 journeys ...

  20. Taking the train in Italy FAQ

    ItaliaRail is the exclusive online provider of Italian train tickets and rail passes outside Italy, and are experts in European train travel. We have been in the hospitality business helping customers plan their train travel for 20 years. We know what information you need and will guide you to make your experience a pleasurable one. Take some time to browse through some of our tips and advice ...

  21. How to Travel by Train in Italy: A Guide to Easy Rides

    Rome to Florence: Approximately 1.5 hours on a high-speed train. Florence to Venice: Around 2 hours, perfect for a swift transition to the canals. Venice to Milan: It takes just under 2.5 hours to connect the city of Lagoon with the fashion capital. 2. Scenic Routes and Destinations.

  22. How to Travel by Train in Italy: all you need to know

    High-speed trains in Italy are designed for long-distance travel and connect major cities like Venice, Milan, Turin, Florence, Rome, and Naples, at impressive speeds.. These trains can reach speeds of up to 300 km/h (186 mph), significantly reducing travel time between destinations. High-speed trains offer a more comfortable travel experience with spacious seating, air conditioning, and power ...

  23. Trains in Italy

    Buying Italian train tickets in advance. You can buy your train tickets in advance if you're traveling on an Intercity or high-speed train in Italy (e.g. Frecciarossa, Italo, Frecciargento) for routes like Rome to Florence, Milan to Rome or Milan to Venice and want to save money. In general, the earlier you book, the more you'll save - the cheapest ticket fares tend to sell out much ...

  24. Imola to Modena train tickets from US$8.50

    Trains in Italy usually open for booking around 6 months in advance. If booking is not yet open for your travel dates, you can set a booking alert and you'll receive an email as soon as the cheapest tickets are released for your train journey. Help with booking alerts. Which train companies operate between Imola and Modena?

  25. Soglio to Milan Train Times

    Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries. App Store. 4.9. 42K ratings. Google Play. 4.6. ... Home Trains Trains in Italy Train Times to Milan Soglio to Milan train. The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy. We'll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile ...

  26. How far in advance should I book my train tickets?

    You can buy your train tickets roughly 2 months ahead of when you'll need them, and can even book them the day before your train trip. Once you're in Italy, you can buy tickets just before you get on a train. Buying tickets soon after they're released gives you a better chance of securing seats during busy travel days, and may give you access ...