Trains in Italy

Time to brush up on your ‘per favore’ and ‘grazie’.

Trenitalia are offering Trainliners 20% off select high-speed trains!

Top routes include:

• 🍕 Rome to Florence
• 🍕 Naples to Rome
• 🍕 Florence to Venice

If you book on web, just enter the code FRECCE4TL at checkout, for travel between January 9 and April 6, 2025. If you book on the app, we will automatically apply it to all eligible trips.

Valid until December 12. *

Book my treno

* Use code FRECCE4TL to purchase the Super Economy and FrecciaDAYS tickets with a 20% discount!
Valid for purchases made 10 to 12 December 2024, for travel between 09 January to 06 April 2025, on Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabianca trains.
Enter code for each passenger and the value of the discount will be subtracted from the ticket price. Limited seats, number varies based on the train, class/service and day.
In baskets with multiple journeys the discount is applied to most expensive ticket. For outward and return journeys it is applied to the outward journey. No cash alternative is available. Tickets may not be available for purchase for some trains in the event of changes to circulation/timetable.
We reserve the right to refuse the issue of any Discount Code Offer at any time and to vary any and all elements of such offer at any time without notice. Additional terms and restrictions apply (see in particular section 9.5 Promo Codes) Trainline Terms and Conditions.

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 faster than the more expensive ones, plus these trains require a seat reservation, so make sure you book in advance before all seats are filled up.

You can book in advance one of the tickets below, depending on the train you’ll be boarding:

• Super Economy – it’s the cheapest fare to travel on all Trenitalia trains except for the regional ones and can’t be exchanged nor refunded
• Economy (Trenitalia) – still quite cheap and is valid to travel on all Frecce and Intercity trains. You can modify your booking only once
• Low Cost – this is the cheapest option to travel on all Italo trains. It allows you to change your travel date or time but at the cost of half of your ticket price plus the difference of the new ticket
• Economy (Italo) – still a cheap option, but it allows you to change or cancel your ticket at a lower price than the Low Cost fare.

Buying Italian train tickets on the day

You can buy tickets on the day for the regional trains operated by Trenitalia. The ticket price is fixed so there’s no price advantage when you book them in advance. The ticket fare is called Ordinaria and its price is based on the distance between the departure and arrival points and the class you travel on, when available.

For example, a one-way ticket to travel on the Leonardo Express – the regional train which connects Roma Termini to Rome Fiumicino Airport – always costs €14. For this reason, you don’t need to book your Ordinaria ticket too far in advance, unless you want peace of mind.

Buying flexible train tickets in Italy

If you’re not 100% sure about your travel date and time and don’t mind spending a little more, you can buy one of the following train tickets:

• Base – this Trenitalia ticket allows you to delay your day of departure for one or more days – perfect if you're enjoying the city you're in and you decide last-minute to extend your stay. Indeed, you can change this ticket as much as you want to travel on Le Frecce and Intercity trains
• Flex – it’s Italo’s most flexible and expensive ticket fare, you can make changes to your booking as many times as you want at no extra cost.

Whatever type of ticket you want, you can buy them with Trainline - check out our guide to buying train tickets for Italy for more details.

What’s the difference between an Eurail Pass and a Interrail Pass?

There are two types of rail pass you can use to travel around Italy: the Eurail Pass, which is only available for non-European citizens, and the Interrail Pass, which is for European citizens. Both passes allow unlimited travel within one country (One Country Pass) or multiple countries (Global Pass).

For more information, check out our dedicated pages to the Eurail Pass and the Interrail Pass. 

Which train can I take with an Eurail or Interrail Pass?

You can travel with a Eurail or Interrail Pass on Trenitalia, Trenord, and Leonardo Express (only if you have a First Class Pass). You can also get discounted fares on different ferries, including Grimaldi Lines, Superfast Ferries, Blue Star Ferries, and Minoan Lines.

Remember that you need to book your seat at an additional cost if you’re traveling on a high-speed or night train.

Should I buy a Eurail/Interrail Pass or individual train tickets in Italy?

Trains in Italy are cheap compared with other countries in Europe. Therefore, a Eurail or Interrail Pass might be worth only if you plan to visit several cities and are going to travel on many more expensive high-speed trains. You may also save money if you’re under 27 as these rail passes offer discounts of up to 25% on unlimited train travel in both First and Second Class.

Where should I go with a Eurail or Interrail Pass?

Check out our foodie tour of Northern Italy with a Eurail Pass, or take a look at the "Superloop" of Europe for more travel inspiration.

Trenitalia

• Main train operator in Italy 
• High-speed and regional trains
• Airport transfers

Trenitalia is the main operator of rail services in Italy, formed by the Italian government and entirely state-owned. The types of trains that Trenitalia run can be split broadly into two categories – high-speed trains and regional trains. High-speed trains – known as ‘Le Frecce’ services in Italy – connect the country’s major cities at speeds of up to 300 km/h (186 mph), alleviating the need to drive or fly across the country for intercity travel. Regional services are slower and make more stops at regional stations.

Trenitalia tickets

There are four different types of Trenitalia tickets – Super Economy, Economy, Base and Ordinaria. While the Super Economy, Economy and Base tickets are available to travel in all classes on both high-speed and Intercity trains, the Ordinaria fare is only valid on regional trains. Find out more about Trenitalia trains.

Italo

• High-speed trains only 
• Run exclusively on Milan to Salerno and Turin to Venice routes

Italo is the name given to the trains run by the private train operating company NTV. Starting service in 2012, Italo trains were designed to compete with Trenitalia in the high-speed rail market. As such, Italo runs exclusively on high-speed routes from Milan to Salerno and from Turin to Venice. They compete with Trenitalia’s flagship high-speed trains for speed and comfort. When you book your tickets, we’ll show you Italo and Trenitalia trains to help you decide.

Italo tickets

Italo offers three ticket fares – Low Cost, Economy and Flex. With these tickets you can travel in all classes (Smart, Prima and Club Executive) at any date and time. Ticket prices may vary based on the class, travel date and number of seats available. Learn more about Italo trains.

Trenord

• Regional trains
• Run in Lombardy and between Lombardy and Switzerland

Established by Trenitalia and Ferrovie Nord Milano (FNM), Trenord run suburban and regional trains in Lombardy – including the Malpensa Express connecting Milan to Milan Malpensa Airport – and from Lombardy to Ticino, the Italian-speaking region in Switzerland. From Milan, you can easily reach the other towns in the region, as well as Chiasso, Bellinzona, Mendrisio and Lugano in Switzerland.

Trenord tickets

As with all regional trains in Italy, Trenord also offer the Ordinaria fare, which has a fixed price based on the distance between origin and destination, and on the class. In the area of Milan and Monza Brianza (or STIBM area), the price is based on the number of zones you’re traveling to, a bit like the London underground system works. Learn more about Trenord trains.

ÖBB

• High-speed and night trains
• Operate between Italy, Germany, and Austria

ÖBB is Austria's state-owned railway company and operates different services between Austria and Italy and Germany and Italy, including the high-speed Railjet and Intercity-Express, and the Nightjet sleeper service. Popular ÖBB routes include Vienna to Milan and Munich to Milan.

ÖBB tickets

ÖBB offers four ticket fares: Standard-Ticket, Komfort-Ticket, Sparschiene Komfort-Ticket and Einfach-Raus-Ticket. The Standard-Ticket is the most flexible ticket type – you're free to take any train within your two-day window of travel. The Komfort-Ticket and the Sparschiene Komfort-Ticket are only available to travel on night trains, while the Einfach-Raus-Ticket is a group ticket for groups of 2-5 people traveling on regional trains.

Learn more about ÖBB trains.

TGV

• High-speed trains
• Connect Paris to Milan and Turin

Operated by the French national rail operator SNCF, the high-speed TGV train connects Paris to Milan and Turin three times a day, taking you from city center to city center through the scenic French Alps. This is an excellent and relaxing way to reach Italy from Paris, without having to worry about airport transfers or parking.

TGV tickets

There are 4 different types of TGV tickets: Prem’s, Seconde (Second Class), Première (First Class) and Business Première. While Prem’s tickets are the cheapest ones and are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, the other ticket types are refundable and exchangeable. Find out more about TGV trains.

Eurocity

• International routes between France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Poland and Italy
• Connects major European cities

A slower form of international train travel than some of the others we’ve mentioned, Eurocity runs from Switzerland, Germany and Austria to Italy. Popular Eurocity routes include Zurich to Milan (3h 44m), Geneva to Milan (4h 56m), Munich to Verona (5h 25m) and Innsbruck to Bolzano (1h 58m).

Eurocity tickets

Eurocity tickets are usually available to buy up to six months before the departure date. If you want to snap up the cheapest fares, make sure you buy your ticket in advance as they tend to sell out quickly. Seat reservations are not always compulsory on Eurocity trains, but we recommend you book a seat when traveling on busier and more popular routes. Learn more about Eurocity trains.

High-speed trains

In broad terms, high-speed trains are for fast, city-to-city travel. Run by Trenitalia and Italo, high-speed trains run on special rail lines designed to facilitate speeds of up to 400 km/h. The main high-speed line runs north to south from Milan to Salerno, connecting major cities such as Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples.

The high-speed rail fleet in Italy consists of Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa (“Red Arrow”), Frecciargento (“Silver Arrow”) and Frecciabianca (“White Arrow”) trains, each capable of traveling at 400 and 300 km/h, 250 km/h and 200 km/h respectively. Italo’s fleet includes its AGV and EVO trains, both capable of up to 360 km/h.

High-speed trains are more expensive than regional trains. There are usually three or four classes on high-speed trains, modern interiors, vending machines (occasionally a restaurant carriage) and WiFi. Tickets for high-speed services include a carriage number and seat reservation, meaning you will have to catch the exact train which you have booked. You can’t simply turn up and jump on the first train that arrives.

Regional trains

Regional trains are much slower, stopping much more frequently and serving smaller stations in towns and villages. They are run exclusively by Trenitalia. In the Lombardy region, regional trains are run by Trenord, a subsidiary of Trenitalia.

Tickets are cheaper for regional trains, but the onboard facilities are more basic. There is normally only one class and seat reservations are not mandatory, passengers sit where they want. The price of regional train tickets is fixed, so it will cost the same on the day as it will in advance. Your ticket can also be used for any train within a four-hour window. Whilst the quality of trains can vary quite wildly on regional trains, they are by far the cheapest rail option in Italy.

Air-conditioning is not always guaranteed on older regional trains. In hot weather, make sure you bring a bottle of water with you.

Disassembled bikes

As in most European countries, you can take your bike on any Italian train if it can be disassembled, put in a case and stored in the luggage storage area and its dimensions are not more than 80 x 110 x 45 cm (31.4 x 43.3 x 17.7 inches). If your bike can be disassembled, you can bring it along with you free of charge because it's treated as any other piece of luggage.

Full-size bikes

If your bike can’t be disassembled, you can take it with you only on regional trains that have a bike icon listed on their timetable. You’ll need to buy a ticket for your bike.

On international trains

You can travel with your bike on board some Eurocity trains connecting Venice and Milan to Geneva, Basel to Milan and Zurich to Milan, as well as some day trains from Germany and Austria to Italy. You’ll need to book a space for your bike before your departure.

You’re not allowed to take your bike on night trains from Germany and Austria to Italy.

How to get to the Amalfi Coast by train

Planning to go to the Amalfi Coast and not sure how to get there? Vietri sul Mare is the only city on the Amalfi Coast that has a train station, so you can take a regional train from Naples or Salerno and then get to the rest of the coastal towns by bus – the service is operated by SITA SUD and takes you to Cetara, Maiori (Erchie), Maiori Centro, Minori, Atrani and Amalfi. A one-way ticket to any of these towns costs €2. If you want to get to Sorrento, you can take the Circumvesuviana train from Naples – the journey time is about an hour. From Sorrento you can also get a SITA SUD bus to Positano - perfect if you want to see the beach where they filmed parts of Under the Tuscan Sun. And if just the thought of all that sightseeing makes you tired, check out our round up of the Amalfi Coast's best hotels.

Buy train tickets to the Amalfi Coast

Main train station

• Vietri sul Mare-Amalfi

How to get to Pompeii by train

If you're traveling from Naples, you can either take the Circumvesuviana train to Pompei Scavi station or the Trenitalia train to Pompei station – the difference being that the Circumvesuviana train takes you right next to Pompeii's ruins and is an older train, while Trenitalia's regional train is a newer service and can be pretty empty even in the tourist season. Check out our handy guide to traveling from Naples to Pompei for more details.

If you're traveling from Rome, instead, you can take Italo, Frecciarossa or Frecciabianca from Roma Termini, stop in Napoli Centrale and continue your journey towards Pompeii.

Buy train tickets to Pompeii

Main train station

• Pompeii

How to get to Sicily by train

The train is a unique and wonderful way to reach Sicily, an experience you wouldn’t want to miss. There are two types of Intercity trains that travel to Sicily:

• Intercity day trains, which connect Rome and Naples to Palermo, Catania, Syracuse
• Intercity night trains, which run from Milan, Rome and Naples to Palermo, Catania and Syracuse

All these trains are shunted onto a ferry at Villa San Giovanni that will cross the Straits of Messina in about half an hour. After the train is secured in the ship’s hold, steps are added next to the train doors – you can either remain on the train or get off and walk upstairs to the deck and take some fresh sea air.

Once you arrive in Messina, the train will take you all the way to Palermo, Sicily’s capital city, which means that you can travel direct by train from as far as Rome to Palermo – the journey can be quite long (about 11h), but the stunning views over the Italian coast are definitely worth it!

Main train stations

• Palermo Centrale
• Catania Centrale
• Messina Centrale

So, you've reached the end of our guide to traveling in and around Italy by train. We've covered the types of train you can travel on, their classes and who operates them. You should now also know how to buy Italian train tickets and which ones are the best for your budget.

We've shown you must-visit destinations, popular routes and even a few handy Italian phrases to help you along the way! 

If you feel ready to book, why not start a search in our Journey Planner at the top of the page? If not, we've got plenty more travel guides to inspire your travel in Italy and beyond. 

Travel within Italy

Italian high-speed trains

Italian regional trains

Night trains in Italy

Trenitalia First Class

Trains in Sicily

Trains in Puglia

Trains to Milan

Trains to Naples 

Airport Transfers in Italy

Other train travel guides

Trains in Europe

Trains in Spain

Trains in France

Trains in Germany

Trains in Switzerland

Trains in The Netherlands

Trains in Belgium 

Trains in Austria