Trains in Italy

A range of Italian trains will transport you across the whole of Italy and its islands, and to and from other European countries by day and night. The majority of the Italian network is operated by Trenitalia. Use the Eurail train timetable (operated by the Deutsche Bahn German railway) or Trenitalia timetable to check times for trains in Italy.

Regional trains in Italy

Regional Trenitalia train

Italy's regional and InterCity trains operate frequent services across the whole of Italy, including routes through the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. It’s on these trains that you’ll meet Italians going about their daily lives.

Regional trains in Italy:

• Trenord regionale trains cover the central northern region of Lombardy (Lombardia), which borders Switzerland.
• InterCity trains connect key cities like Rome, Milan, Venice and Florence. They are relatively fast and make fewer stops than regional trains.

On the Eurail timetable InterCity trains are listed as "IC", and Trenitalia regional trains as "R". Trenord regional trains are only shown on the Trenitalia timetable and not on the Eurail timetable. They are named "Regionale". Regional trains do not require seat reservations. Reservations are however recommended for InterCity trains during high season (May - September) and public holidays.
 

High-speed trains in Italy

High-speed Eurostar Italia train

Eurostar Italia trains are Trenitalia’s modern and comfortable high-speed trains that get you to all the popular Italian cities. All trains have: air-conditioning, large luggage racks, power sockets for electronic devices, plus refreshments and usually a restaurant car.

TrenItalia operates 3 Eurostar Italia high-speed trains:

• Frecciarossa connects the main Italian cities from north to south.
• Frecciargento connects Rome to the main cities in the northeast and south of Italy.
• Frecciabianca connects Turin and Milan to Italian cities in the northeast of Italy.

On the Eurail timetable Eurostar Italia trains are shown as "ES". The Trenitalia timetable lists the specific Italian name, e.g. "Frecciarossa". These trains always require a seat reservation.
 

Night trains in and between Italy

International night train routes in Italy

International night trains: Night trains connect Italy with Austria, Germany and Spain, saving you travel time and money.

These night trains operate to and from Italy:

• EuroNight Allegro:
  Bologna – Florence – Milan – Rome – Venice – Vienna (Austria)
• EuroNight Toscana Mare:
  Livorno – Klagenfurt – Venice – Florence – Vienna (Austria).
• City Night Line:
  Rome – Florence – Venice – Innsbruck (Austria) – Munich (Germany)

The Thello night train connects Milan, Verona and Venice by night with Paris in France. Eurail passes are not valid on the Thello as it is operated by a private railway company. 

Domestic night trains: Travel between the north and south of Italy by night, saving you precious travel time while you sleep.
There is a domestic night train operating in Italy:

• InterCity Notte: Milan – Genova – Pisa – Livorno – Salerno – Catania (Sicily). This is a unique journey as the train is transported by boat across the Strait of Messina. 

Euronight Allegro and Toscana Mare trains appear on the Eurail timetable as "EN". City Night Line appears as "CNL". InterCity Notte appears on the Eurail timetable as "ICN". On the Trenitalia timetable it is simply listed as "InterCityNotte". You are required to book sleeping accommodation in advance. 
 

Scenic train routes in Italy

There are 2 scenic train routes that cross into Italy:

• Bernina Express: Chur –  Lugano (Switzerland) via Tirano (Italy)
• Centovalli Railway: Locarno (Switzerland) –  Domodossola (Italy) 
   

Reservations for Italian trains

Trenitalia regional trains do not require reservations. As for the InterCity trains you only need to reserve a seat during the busy summer period (May-September) and on public holidays. If you want to travel between Italy's cities on high-speed Eurostar Italia trains, you'll need to make a reservation in advance. Reservations are also required for night trains; prices depend on the type of sleeping accommodation you choose. All the trains listed above are included in the Eurail Italy Pass, you only need to make reservations for the trains mentioned. 

For more information about reservations in Italy:

• How to make reservations in Italy
• View reservation fees in Italy

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Popular domestic train connections in Italy

Popular train connections in Italy

View approximate train travel times between Italy's top cities using regional and high-speed trains:

International train connections to and from Italy

We suggest the following routes to travel between Italy and other European countries:

• France – Italy
  Take the French SNCF regional train to Ventimiglia on the Italian border, followed by a direct InterCity train to Milan (4hr) or Genova (2hr), where you can connect to trains across Italy.
  View more train routes between France and Italy.
• Switzerland – Italy
  Travel by EuroCity (EC) train direct to Milan from the Swiss cities of Bern (3hr), Geneva (4hr) and Zurich (3hr 30min).
• Austria – Italy
  Arrive in Venice from Innsbruck (7hr 30min) on the City Night Line night train, or take the EuroNight Allegro night train from Vienna to Milan (14hr), Venice (12hr) or Rome (14hr). There is also a EuroCity day train between Innsbruck and Venice (5hr).
  Travel for free on MICOTRA trains on the route Udine – Villach. Read more about the MICOTRA trains.
• Germany – Italy
  Travel from Munich to Venice (9hr) on the City Night Line night train, or travel by day on EuroCity between Munich and Venice.
• Slovenia – Italy
  Take a regional train from the Slovenian city Jessenice to the Italian border town Gorizia, and connect with another regional train to Trieste (4hr) or Venice (5hr).

International ferry routes to and from Italy

You can also travel to and from Italy by ferry. Certain ferries are discounted or free for Eurail pass holders.

• Spain – Italy
  Travel by ferry from Barcelona in Spain to Livorno, Civitavecchia and Porto Torres (Sardinia) in Italy with Grimaldi Lines. Get a 20% discount with Eurail Italy Pass.
• Greece – Italy
  Sail with Minoan Lines from Igoumenitsa or Patras in Greece to Ancona on Italy's Adriatic coast. Get free and discounted travel with a Eurail Italy Pass.
• Tunisia – Italy
  Go by ferry from Tunis to Palermo (Sicily), Trapani (Sicily), Civitavecchia and Salerno with Grimaldi Lines. Get a 20% discount with Eurail Italy Passes.
• Malta – Italy
  Travel by ferry from Valetta to Civitavecchia in Italy with Grimaldi Lines. Get a 20% discount with a Eurail Italy Pass.

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The Eurail Italy Pass lets you see all of Italy's great cities like Milan, Rome, Venice and Florence.

Rail pass options for Italy

• Eurail Italy Pass starting from US$198 – spend your whole vacation exploring Italy and its 2 islands by rail.
• Eurail Global Pass starting from US$509 – have the freedom to visit Italy along with the other 24 Eurail countries.
• Eurail Select Pass starting from US$322 – choose from a 3, 4 or 5 country pass that combines Italy with bordering countries.
• Regional Pass – focus on visiting Italy plus 1 other country. Here are your options:
  Eurail Italy-France Pass starting from US$273 – travel around famed French cities like Paris, Nice and Lyons.
  Eurail Italy-Spain Pass starting from US$273 – visit popular cities like Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid.
  Eurail Italy-Greece Pass starting from US$253 –  explore capital city Athens and the beautiful Greek islands.

Example route in Italy

Fit in Italy´s top cities for a truly memorable taste of "La bella Italia". You can follow the suggested route below using a:
Eurail Italy Pass - choose 5 days in 2 months, starting from US$245

Milan

Milan (Milano) is Italy's cosmopolitan and cool northern city with a splendid cathedral and non-stop shopping opportunities.

Venice

Venice (Venezia) is a unique city made up of small islands separated by charming canals and linked by bridges.

Pisa

Pisa is a must – head straight to Piazza dei Miracoli, home to the leaning tower and other great Romanesque buildings.

Florence

Florence (Firenze) is Italy's art capital with spectacular museums and galleries showcasing Italy's Renaissance prowess.

Roma

Roma (Roma) is brimming with top sites like the Colloseum, St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums.

Naples

Naples (Napoli) is just over 1 hour away from Rome – a city rough around the edges and beaming with Italian soul.

For more route ideas for your Eurail trip, check out our European highlights itinerary.

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