There’s no better way to explore Italy than by rail. While you sit comfortably, ever-changing landscapes rush past from snow-capped mountains, volcanoes, and hilltop villages to the lush green countryside that transitions to majestic cities revealing their domes and bell towers.
Italy’s well-developed rail network makes it possible to reach even the most remote locations while you relax and enjoy the scenery along the way. There are train services linking almost every town and city across the country, and the point-to-point connectivity, comfort, cost, and ease of rail travel means that travelling by train in Italy nearly always makes more sense than flying or driving. Here’s a whistlestop guide to Italy by rail.
High-speed rail whizzes travellers up and down the boot
Travelling between Italy’s major cities is quick and efficient, thanks to the country’s network of high-speed trains. You can reach Rome from Milan in around three hours while benefitting from onboard services such as free Wi-Fi, catering, accessibility assistance, and bicycle storage.
From Milan to Venice, the journey begins at Milan’s grand central station and takes just two and a half hours passing through Brescia, Verona, and Padua, as well as Franciacorta, the home of Italian sparkling wine. You could choose to split your journey to enjoy the sights of the cities along the way, or simply watch them pass by as you head toward Venice.
The route between Florence and Rome was Europe’s first high-speed line, connecting two of Italy’s most beautiful cities in an hour and a half and offering an unforgettable journey through the rolling hills of Tuscany and the countryside of Lazio.
The fastest trains reach speeds of up to 300 km/h and, as with all long-distance train journeys in Italy, tickets include a seat reservation. In addition to high-speed trains, there are also plenty of destinations served by regional and intercity trains which allow you to reach small towns, stunning coastal pockets, and rugged mountain regions, all while travelling sustainably.
Sleeper trains and scenic routes
‘Intercity Notte’ overnight sleeper trains are one of the most unique ways to travel long distances in Italy. Popular routes include Milan or Rome to Palermo (Sicily), and Venice or Milan to Naples (for onward travel to Pompei, Ischia, and Amalfi Coast). The experience is far more enjoyable than flying and it’ll save you a hotel bill too.
Overnight trains have several types of airline-style reclining seats or sleeper compartments that come in different variations depending on how many bunks you need and whether you want an entire compartment for yourself. Both first and second-class options are also available.
Rome to Palermo offers one of the most stunning and unique rail journeys in Italy. The stunning coastal scenery is the backdrop for the majority of the train ride and the twice-daily trains (daytime and overnight service) are even loaded on special ferries that cross the Strait of Messina. For those on the overnight service, the arrival into Sicily’s capital offers breathtaking scenes as the locomotive travels along the northern coast of the island just after dawn.
Rail passes and tickets
Most Italian trains are run by state-owned national operator Trenitalia. The privately-owned high-speed Italo Treno (NTV) also run services on high-speed routes linking Turin, Milan, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples and Salerno. There are more than three hundred daily connections offered by both Trenitalia and NTV. You can purchase tickets online, through travel agents and resellers, or at railway station ticket offices.
The much-loved Eurail pass gives unlimited travel on most (Trenitalia) trains across Italy. A global Eurail pass covers most of Europe, or you can buy a cheaper one-country pass that just covers Italy including all high-speed, intercity, sleeper trains and regional routes. Trenitalia also sells its own Trenitalia Passes which are based on a specific number of journeys (3, 4, 7 or 10 trips) and are to be used within a set period of days. Unlike Eurail, it covers high-speed, intercity and sleeper trains, but not regional routes.
Rail travel tips
- Some major cities have more than one main station, so ensure you arrive or depart at the correct station. If you’re not sure, most booking platforms allow you to search by a city name and will show results for both city terminals.
- It is recommended to pre-book tickets on popular routes and/or in high season. Bookings can open as early as 4 months prior to departure, but this can vary to as close as 30 days prior, so it is worth checking options closer to travel if no schedule is available.
- On regional services, there is no cost advantage to purchasing ahead of time (apart from saving time buying tickets on the day) however for high-speed, intercity, and sleeper services, you must book in advance. Dynamic pricing (similar to airlines) means advance tickets are cheaper and more flexible while those bought on the day of travel are more expensive.
- All regional and local train tickets (not high-speed, long-distance services) must be validated before you board your train by putting your ticket into the ticket validation machines at the entrance to every platform. There’s a fine if you don’t.
- At stations, finding your platform and train is easy as signs are usually in English and Italian, or pictograms are used. On high-speed trains, announcements are usually repeated in English.
- Most long-distance trains have a bar or even a restaurant car. Italians are relaxed about passengers consuming their own food and drink and you are free to bring your own (even a bottle of wine, if you like) onto the train.
- You don’t check bags in and there is no baggage car, you simply take bags into the train with you, and use racks above your head or larger luggage racks at the end of each car. There are no baggage fees or weight limits on Italy’s trains – if you can carry it, you can bring it.
