
Trains in Italy
In Italy the extensive train network takes you from the ancient relics of Pompeii to the picturesque Umbrian countryside, along the spectacular Tuscan coastline or the beautiful islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Travel to famous cities Rome, Venice, Florence and Milan on board Italian trains and get great views from your window along the way.
Train types in Italy
Trains in Italy will take you across the entire country and its islands, as well as other countries in Europe. Italy's train network is operated by Trenitalia. You can check times for Italian trains in the Interrail timetable or the Trenitalia timetable.
- Route map
- Domestic trains
- International trains
- Night trains
- Scenic trains

Regional and intercity trains
Trenord regionale (R)
Runs through the central northern region of Lombardia, close to Switzerland.
No reservations required.
Trains between Lecco and Piona are not included in your Pass.
Trains between Milan and Malpensa airport are not included in your Pass.
Check train times on the Trenitalia timetable.
InterCity (IC)
Connects major cities like Florence, Milan, Rome, and Venice.
Faster than regional trains and fewer stops.
Reservations are mandatory.
The Leonardo Express
An express train between Rome and Fiumicino Airport.
All seats are 1st class, therefore a 1st class Interrail Pass is required to travel on this train. If you have a 2nd Class Interrail Pass you will need to buy a ticket.
2nd class Pass holders can travel between Rome and Fiumicino airport with Frecciarossa trains.
Domestic high-speed trains
Le Frecce high-speed trains (formerly known as Eurostar Italia) are modern and comfortable. All trains have air-conditioning, luggage racks, power sockets, refreshments and usually a restaurant car.
Frecciarossa (FR)
Connects the main Italian cities from north to south.
Reservations are required.
Frecciarossa (FR) to and from Fiumicino Airport (Rome)
- Fiumicino - Roma Termini
- Fiumicino - Napoli (via Roma Termini)
- Fiumicino - Venezia S. Lucia (via Bologna, Florence, Roma Termini)
- Fiumicino - FLorence (via Roma Termini)
- Reservations are required.
Frecciargento (FA)
Connects Rome to the main cities in the northeast and south of Italy.
Reservations are required.
Frecciabianca (FB)
Connects Turin and Milan to Italian cities in the northeast of Italy.
Reservations are required.
International trains
EuroCity
- Connects Venice / Verona / Bologna to Munich (Germany), via Innsbruck (Austria)
- Seat reservations are optional
- Mandatory supplement if you are travelling to/from/within Italy. You can purchase it before boarding, but you can also do so on board of the train (for a €5 fee).
- 1st class: €15
- 2nd class: €10
EuroCity
- Connects Milan and Venice to Zurich / Bern / Basel / Geneva (Switzerland)
- Reservations are mandatory
EuroCity (Express)
- Connects Milan to Frankfurt (Germany) via Basel (Switzerland)
- Reservations are mandatory if you're travelling to/from/within Italy.
Railjet
- Connects Venice to Vienna
- Reservations are mandatory
TGV
- Connects Turin / Milan to several cities in France
- Reservations are mandatory
Domestic night trains
InterCity Notte (ICN)
Milan – Genova – Pisa – Livorno – Salerno – Catania (Sicily).
This is a unique journey as the train is transported by boat across the Strait of Messina.
International night trains
ÖBB Nightjet (EN) has many trains connecting to and from several destinations in Italy:
Rome – Florence – Salzburg – Munich
Rome - Florence - Bologna - Vienna
Livorno - Pisa - Florence - Bologna - Vienna
Milan - Verona - Vienna
Milan - Verona - Salzburg - Munich
Venice - Udine - Salzburg - Vienna
Venice - Udine - Salzburg - Munich
Reservations for sleeping accommodation are required.
Scenic train routes in Italy
Chur (Switzerland) to Lugano via Tirano (Italy).
Interrail Passes are valid for the entire journey.
Seat reservations are only required for the special panorama train.
Locarno (Switzerland) to Domodossola (Italy).
Interrail Passes are valid for the entire journey.
Popular connections
- Domestic routes
- International routes
- Ferry routes
Route | Regional | High-speed |
---|---|---|
Rome to Florence | 3:30 | 1:30 |
Rome to Milan | 9:00 (1 stop) | 3:00 |
Rome to Venice | 9:00 (3 stops) | 3:30 |
Florence to Milan | 5:30 (1 stop) | 1:30 |
Florence to Venice | 4:00 (2 stops) | 2:00 |
Pisa to Florence | - | 1:00 |
Venice to Milan | 3:30 (1 stop) | 2:30 |
Route | Which train? | Travel time | Reservations |
---|---|---|---|
Genova (via Ventimiglia) to Nice (France) | Regional trains | 3:50 | None |
Milan to Bern / Geneva / Zurich (Switzerland) | EuroCity | 3:00 / 4:00 / 3:30 | Required |
Milan to Nice / Paris (France) | EuroCity / TGV | 4:50 / 7:40 | Required |
Milan to Vienna (Austria) | Euro Night | 13:50(overnight) | Required |
Rome to Munich (German) | EuroCityBrenner / ÖBB Nightjet | 6:20 / 13:00 (overnight) | Required |
Venice to Innsbruck (Austria) | EuroCityBrenner | 4:30 | Required |
Venice (via Villach, Austria) to Jesenice (Slovenia) | EuroCity | 5:30 | Required |
Venice to Vienna (Austria) | Euro Night | 7:30 (overnight) | Required |
International ferry routes to and from Italy
Spain to Italy
Get an Interrail discount of 20% off Grimaldi Lines journeys from Barcelona to Civitavecchia and Porto Torres (Sardinia).Greece to Italy
Get free and discounted travel with Minoan Lines ferry trips from Patras or Igoumenitsa to Ancona on the Adriatic coast of Italy.
Reservations
Which trains in Italy require reservations?
- No reservations: Trenitalia regional trains.
- Required during busy periods: InterCity trains (during May-September and on public holidays).
- Compulsory: High-speed Le Frecce trains and night trains.
How can I make reservations for trains in Italy?
- Online: Through the Reservation Self-Service. We offer e-tickets for trains in Italy.
- In person: At a ticket desk at a local Italian train station.
Reservations for the TGV (Paris to Milan)
- Seats are limited for Interrail Pass Holders.
- It's not possible to buy tickets or reservations for this route at Italian train stations.
Advice for reservations
Make reservations as soon as possible if you're travelling in high season (May to September) and on national holidays. You can make reservations up to 3 months in advance.
Contact a booking centre or visit a European train station to check if trains are available.
If a train is fully booked you can check alternative routes or buy a full-fare ticket - this will save you a train travel day on your Interrail Pass.
Get your Pass for Italy
Interrail Italy One Country Pass
Offers you extensive rail travel in Italy and its islands.
20% off City Sightseeing buses, plus more benefits.
Youth, senior and family discounts available.
Prices from € 105
Interrail Global Pass
Have the freedom to visit Italy and up to 32 other Interrail countries
Youth, senior and family discounts available
Prices from € 185
Tips and tricks for Italy
The main Italian train stations
The two main hub stations in Italy are:
Roma Termini (Rome)
Milano Centrale (Milan)
Italy's main train stations usually have great facilities:
Luggage storage
Cash machines and a foreign exchange desk
Restaurants, cafés, and pharmacies
Tourist information offices
Elevators, escalators and access for disabled passengers
Spelling of names in Italy
In towns and cities in Italy, train stations, maps and information boards show local place names. Here are a few you can learn to make your Italian rail journey easier:
Firenze = Florence
Genova = Genoa
Milano = Milan
Napoli = Naples
Padova = Padua
Pompei = Pompeii
Roma = Rome
Sicilia = Sicily (island)
Torino = Turin
Venezia = Venice
Ferry travel and other discounts
If your Interrail Pass is valid in Italy, you can take several ferries for free or at a discount. These ferry routes run from from Italy's mainland to:
Sardinia and Sicily (Italy)
Split (Croatia)
Barcelona (Spain)
Various locations in Greece
And we've got many more discounts for you.
Get inspired
-
Cinque Terre & Tuscany Experience the most enchanting train route through Italy. Go Interrailing through Cinque Terre & Tuscany to discover the most romantic landscapes by train.
-
Italy with Interrail Discover the most classic and romantic Italian cities on short train journeys. Go Interrailing through Italy to feel the essence of La Bella Italia.
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Train route: Florence and Beyond Travel by train around Tuscany to discover the most iconic Italian cities and scenery. Enjoy the placid views from the train and explore Florence, Pisa, Milan and Rome in the easiest possible way.
Change of currency
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