Trains from Milan to Rome

Buying my train ticket

Just over a week before my trip, I bought my train ticket from Milan to Rome. I opted for Italo’s Economy ticket to travel in Smart Class as it was the cheapest fare at the time of booking.

The booking process was pretty smooth – after buying my ticket, I got a confirmation email with all the details of my trip, as well as my e-ticket delivered straight to the app.

Getting to Milano Centrale station

To catch my Italo train from Milan to Rome, I traveled from Milano Centrale station. I arrived at around 08:00 am (15 minutes before my train was due to depart) and headed straight to the platform. As I had my e-ticket on my phone, I simply showed it to a member of staff and quickly went through the ticket gates.

Boarding my Italo train

When you get to the platform, you’ll find clear signs showing where the different Italo classes are located. Italo Smart Class is in the middle part of the train, so I didn’t have to walk far to get there. Also, the car numbers are clearly labeled on the side of the train, so I found my car and seat quite easily.

The train journey from Milan to Rome

Even if Italo Smart Class is the cheapest option, it still comes with lots of amenities, including comfortable leather reclining seats and free WiFi. There’s also a snack area in car 3, with vending machines where you can buy snacks and drinks.

Just a few minutes after leaving Milano Centrale, we stopped at Milano Rogoredo station, which is on the south-eastern outskirts of the city. As soon as we left Milan, the train increased its speed to 300 km/h (186 mph) through the Po Valley.

After a while, I connected to the onboard WiFi and accessed the free onboard entertainment portal to watch a movie. I also had a power outlet at my seat, which was perfect because I needed to charge my phone.

Time went by so quickly – we reached Roma Tiburtina station at 11:00 am. If you stop here, you can take Rome’s metro line B and easily get to some of the city’s main landmarks, including Piazza della Repubblica, the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus. I had to stop at the next station, Roma Termini, so I stayed on the train.

Arriving at Roma Termini station

We arrived at Roma Termini station about 10 minutes after we left Roma Tiburtina.

There’s an underground station right under the train station – it’s called Termini. If you want to get to the Colosseum, you can take line B or B1 bound for Laurentina and get off after two stops. To get to St Peter’s Basilica, you just need to change at Colosseum and take line C to S. Pietro.

Overall, I really enjoyed my journey. Italo trains are super punctual, they don’t make a lot of noise and are perfect for both business and leisure travel. Also, if you travel from Milan to Rome by train rather than by car, not only do you save time, but you also reduce your carbon footprint!

About Paola

Paola, a Trainline employee, chose to share her experience of the journey between Milan and Rome.

Traveling by train from Milan to Rome

For this trip, I hopped on board one of Italo’s busiest high-speed trains: the ‘No Stop’ train (no. 9975) leaving from Milano Centrale at 8:15 am and arriving at Roma Termini at 11:13 am. ‘No Stop’ means the train only made two intermediate stops on its journey, reaching its final destination in just 2 hours and 58 minutes!

On board the Italo train from Milan to Rome

I traveled with an Italo Economy ticket in the Comfort travel class, which offered slightly wider seats compared to Smart Class. However, both classes have comfortable, reclining leather seats, free WiFi and an area in car 3 where you can buy drinks and snacks.

(Note: Comfort Class no longer exists on Italo trains; the option above Smart Class is Prima Class. Find out more about the difference between Smart and Prima Class).

This train was an ‘Italo AGV’ train – AGV stands for Automotrice Grande Vitesse, or High-Speed Railcar. This type of train was introduced in Italy in 2012. Italo’s new EVO trains, on the other hand, are an evolution of these AGV trains and made their debut in 2017.

On all Italo trains (AGV and EVO), there is also the option to travel in Prima Class (similar to Premium Economy). Prima Class offers spacious chairs, Fast Track service, a welcome service with sweet and savory snacks and hot and cold drinks, national newspapers and magazines. There’s also a travel class called Club Executive (similar to Business Class), which, in addition to the services in Prima Class, offers free access to Italo Club lounges in Italy’s main train stations, dedicated catering on board (with coffee, pastries and drinks) plus personal 9" screens.

Intermediate stops at Milano Rogoredo and Roma Tiburtina

A few minutes after leaving Milano Centrale station, we reached Milano Rogoredo station, in the south-eastern part of the city. Then, we left Milan behind, the train’s speed increased, and we sped through the fields and villages of the Po Valley at 300 km/h (around 186 mph).

At 11:00 am, we pulled in at Roma Tiburtina station where many people got off the train. From here, it’s possible to take line B on the Rome metro to travel onwards to Piazza della Repubblica, the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus.

Arriving at Roma Termini station

After around 10 minutes, we arrived at Roma Termini, our final destination. This station sees around 150 million passengers every year!

Underneath the train station, you’ll find the metro station called Termini – three lines of the Rome metro stop here. Line A (Anagnina – Battistini), line B (Laurentina – Rebibbia) and line B1 (Laurentina – Jonio). To get from Termini metro station to the Colosseum, you can take line B or B1 toward Laurentina for two stops, then get off at the stop ‘Colosseo’. For Piazza San Pietro (St Peter’s Square), once you’re at Colosseo metro station, transfer to line C and travel to the stop called ‘S. Pietro’.

The trip was very pleasant: Italo trains are quiet and perfect for working during the journey or simply relaxing with a good book. What’s more, if you choose to travel between Milan and Rome by high-speed train instead of driving, you’ll save more than an hour on average and reduce harmful emissions by more than a quarter!

Milan to Rome train

Departure station: Milano Centrale

Arrival station: Roma Termini

Train: Italo – Comfort Class

Duration: 2 hours and 58 minutes

Intermediate stops: Milano Rogoredo, Roma Tiburtina

About Federica

Federica, a Trainline employee, chose to share her experience of the journey between Milan and Rome.