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Trains in Italy

Scroll down to below the "Ignore this Machine" photo and discover the greatest Italian rail journeys of all, and tips on getting the best deals.

Fast train in Italy

First, A Bit About the Train Networks...

For driving and car hire in Italy read our article here.

Italy's awe-inspiring train system is nothing short of extraordinary, presenting you with an unparalleled way to explore the country. The high-speed network effortlessly spans Italy's most prominent towns and cities, transporting visitors from the vibrant north to the sun-kissed landscapes of Calabria and Sicily in the south.

TrenItalia, the nation's rail operator, operates three remarkable high-speed train versions: the Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, and Frecciabianca. These sleek and sophisticated trains whisk passengers across Italy with efficiency and style.

As an alternative, Italo provides its own high-speed services across the country, ensuring you have ample options for intercity travel.

Italo and Trenitalia trains

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🚆 You can find and buy cheap train tickets for your trip in advance here

Is the train always the best option?

Frecciarossa fast train

Many decades ago, long before I met and married my Italian wife, Maria, I visited Italy by train on a Eurail Pass. It was a great first introduction to Italy, and I saw many of the most famous cities: Rome, Venice, and Florence. I loved it.

The only challenge is that some of the countryside regions aren't well covered by the rail network, particularly in southern Italy. There are exceptions, though. The coast of Calabria has great service, but that's an exception, most of southern Italy is not well covered. Even in regions like Tuscany, Le Marche, and the Dolomites, much of the countryside has no rail network.

My advice is that if you really want to get out into the countryside, particularly in central and southern Italy, and explore, then you are better off flying into a central hub and renting a car. Base yourself in one town or village, find a characteristic place to stay, and explore. 

Trains versus Planes in Italy

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿?

Planning a trip across Italy and wondering whether to fly or take the train?

This is a common question I get asked all the time. Choosing between a high-speed train or a flight within Italy isn't always straightforward.

The high-speed trains in Italy are generally excellent for most routes but that doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't consider flying...

So I looked at November travel data and crunched the numbers to compare average prices and total travel times.

Here's a detailed comparison of travel times and prices for both trains and planes between some of Italy's most popular routes — so you can choose what suits you best.

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲:

• I only looked at routes where direct flights are available so no layovers and connecting flights are included.

• Price data is for travel over the last week of November.

• The train prices were obtained from Trenitalia's website.

• I've only included flight data for ITA Airways, Italy's national airlines (The new Alitalia).

• Other direct flight routes are offered between various city pairs, however, they weren't included as only low-cost airlines operate on these routes which require additional fees for baggage.

• An additional 2-3 hours have been added to flight times to account for time spent at the airport and to reach the airport.

• For the routes between Rome and Palermo, and Milan and Palermo, I've only included the Intercity sleeper train as it is a direct route with no connections and train changes. It is also the most scenic way of travelling by rail between the mainland and Sicily. 

Whether you prioritize cost, time, or scenic routes, I hope guide helps you decide the best option for your Italian adventure!

Planes versus trains in Italy a comparative chart


Having said that, there are definitely some train journeys one really should take. If you are a supporter, you are always welcome to contact me for personalized advice, however, you'll find many of the best train rides waiting for you in the FAQ section further down this page.

cars in Italy
Train ticket machineSEE QUESTION 4 BELOW FOR THE REASON WHY

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🚆 You can find and buy cheap train tickets for your trip in advance here

The Italian Train Travel FAQ 

Question 1: Which are the most beautiful train rides in Italy?

Answer:

  • Turin to Grenoble through the Val di Susa. There are plans for a high speed train connection through this area known as the TAV, linking Turin with Paris, but it's facing a lot of protests and the slow train that exists at present is perfect for enjoying the view.
  • Turin to Nice through the mountains and the French and Piedmont countryside. The scenery and little villages en route are lovely. You normally have to change trains in Ventimiglia and sometimes Cuneo.
  • Tropea to Pizzo offers an unparalleled view of one of Italy's most beautiful coastlines: coves, beaches, and glimpses of Italian Mediterranean blue, which is a blue like no other.
  • The fast train from Milan to Rome or vice-versa is amazing. It covers the 350 miles/560kms in two hours and forty-five minutes and races through some beautiful scenery in Tuscany and Lazio. 
  • Traveling aboard the Autumn Foliage Train between Domodossola and Locarno is one of the most beautiful journeys in Italy. The journey is around 50 kilometers and takes two hours. Spectacular doesn't come close to describing the magnificent scenery.
  • The Cinque Terre Train is a must - we wrote about the train and the Cinque Terre here.
  • Journey from Bari to Matera. The train journey is incredible and Bari and Matera are two of the most fascinating towns in Italy. Both should be on your list of must visit destinations.
  • Trans-Siberian between Sulmona and Isernia. The name, Trans-Siberian, came about because of the winter scenery which recalls Siberia. Summer or winter, this high altitude journey through the mountains of Abruzzo is spectacular.
  • Volcano Train of Sicily: Circumetnea is the line's official name, and it offers a three-hour journey (110 km) through villages, vineyards, and pistachio groves while Etna glowers down upon it all.
  • Asciano - Monte Antico line: a steam train journey through some of the most beautiful Tuscan scenery. The line was closed in 1994 but was reopened by a group of dedicated volunteers. The video below has more on the route - although in Italian, the beauty of the area is clearly shown.
  • Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: This iconic train journey starts in Venice and takes you through the stunning Italian countryside to Paris. The journey takes about 17 hours and offers luxurious accommodations, gourmet dining, and breathtaking views of the Alps and French countryside. This train journey is truly an unforgettable experience.
  • Bernina Express: This train journey takes you through the stunning Swiss Alps, but starts and ends in Italy. The train departs from Tirano and travels through 55 tunnels and 196 bridges, including the iconic Landwasser Viaduct. The journey takes about 2.5 hours and takes you to the Swiss town of St. Moritz.

Steam Train Journeys

There are some amazing steam trains still operating in Italy. Click here for a list of all Italian steam train routes and booking info.


Question 2: How fast are Italian trains?

Answer: The maximum recorded speed in testing is 393.8 km/h (244.7 mph), although operating speeds are limited to 300 km/h (186 mph). The fastest trains are the Frecciarossa 1000  trains, followed by the Italo trains that can reach a maximum speed of 360 km/h (160mph).

Question 3: When is the best time to buy train tickets?

Answer: I find that booking for the fast trains between one and three months before traveling generally works out the cheapest. If you are booking a regional train, the prices are generally the same regardless of when you book. A good idea is to download the Trenitalia app so that you can buy tickets online, and then the ticket inspector simply scans the QR code on your phone.

Question 4: How to avoid fines when traveling by train in Italy

Answer: If you don't buy tickets online, you will need to physically validate your train ticket using the little machines on the platform before boarding. If it is a multi-day ticket, you must fill in the date and sign it. If you have bought your tickets online, you'll still need to validate it on the website on the day of travel.

Not validating your train ticket, together with the fines from getting caught in ZTL zones, is the most common way tourists get fined in Italy. You can find out about ZTL zones and other mistakes tourists to Italy MUST NOT make here.

Question 5: Are trains in Italy expensive?

Answer: No, the tickets are very affordable and, considering the quality of Italian trains, are often a real bargain.

Question 6: What about graffiti on trains?

Graffiti on trains used to be a huge issue. That is no longer as much of an issue as the Frecciarossa trains boast advanced anti-graffiti paints, engineered to safeguard their pristine surfaces from defacement and vandalism. These specialized coatings create a formidable barrier, repelling paint and other forms of graffiti with remarkable efficiency.

Some freight trains and older regional trains do still suffer from the graffiti vandals.

Question 7: What is a SCIOPERO and why should I care?

Italians do love going on strike. Sometimes, it seems like they are more often on strike than working, and they never seem to resolve their issues. They have been on strike, on and off, for as long as I can remember traveling by public transport in Italy, and that is many, far too many, decades. If your chosen day of travel is on a strike day, then you are in for a nightmare. So, how do you avoid getting nailed by strikes? Check out https://scioperi.mit.gov.it/mit2/public/scioperi. It is the official site that lists all planned strikes for months ahead.

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🚆 You can find and buy cheap train tickets for your trip in advance here




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