Italy needs no introduction.

Even if the only images you conjure up are drawn from shows like The White Lotus or films like The Italian Job, you’ve already gotten a glimpse at just how marvelous this iconic country is. 

And if you want to see Italy in all of its glory and grandeur, traveling by train is the way to do it.

Image Credit: Getty Images, mmac72. Image Location: Verona, Italy

What is the best way to get around Italy?

Italy’s shape is a knee-high boot stretching up the long leg of Europe. 

Nearly 1,000 miles divide Lake Como in the north and Sicily in the south. It’s a mighty drive, especially if you’re unfamiliar with Italy’s road rules and aren’t the most skilled driver where a clutch is concerned. 

So make your journey as easy as the decision to visit: take advantage of train routes to the best destinations in Italy to see and do everything on your Italian itinerary. Trains in Italy are...

  • Scenic: Venice to Florence. Rimini to Bari. Rome to Sicily. Italy is a feast for the eyes. Don’t believe us? Take the ride from Verona to the Brenner Pass and we bet you’ll swoon like a star-crossed lover.
  • Fast: Getting from the train station in Rome to the train station in Florence can take 90 minutes. Most movies these days last longer. Train travel in Italy is a fast, comfortable choice for travelers who want to maximize their sightseeing.
  • Convenient: Flying into Rome via Fiumicino means taking a 30 minute express train just to get to Termini Station. Compare that to taking a train from Florence or Venice directly to Termini Station. Those 30 minutes you save alone is more than enough time to walk from Termini to the Colosseum. Don’t let the “speed” of a flight overshadow the inconvenient logistics required to get to and from the airport. 

Related: why train travel beats plane travel in Europe

Image Credit: Getty Images, joe daniel price. Image Location: Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Italy

How to Travel by Train in Italy?

First time taking the train in Italy? First time taking the train anywhere? 

Don’t worry, you’re not alone, nor do you have to navigate this unfamiliar experience alone. There are three things you need to know before you plan a train journey:

  1. Know how train station names are translated. For instance, Florence is written as “Firenze” in Italian. So Roma a Firenze is Rome to Florence, Roma a Napoli (Rome to Naples) and Firenze a Venezia (Florence to Venice).
  2. Know where and how to purchase tickets. Most train stations have kiosks or desks for ticket purchases, but some do not.
  3. Know what’s on-board and what you can bring aboard. Many train companies allow you to bring your own food and beverages; many also have food or bar carts on-board for passengers who purchase upgraded tickets. 

Better yet, just download the Trainline app before you travel. Our handy app lets you explore routes across dozens of Italian train stations and instantly purchase e-tickets. Plus, you can do your due diligence before you even leave your house by browsing our helpful FAQs and travel guides for Italy.

Related: how to buy train tickets for Italy online

Image Credit: Getty Images, Mark Williamson. Image Location: Manzoni metro station, Rome, Italy

How to use the Rome Metro

New York City is huge, which is why so many people rely on the subway. 

Rome is actually bigger than the Big Apple, though you’d be surprised at how many first-time visitors to the Eternal City waste valuable vacation time hoofing it from one Ancient Roman site to the next. Trust us, Rome’s metro will serve you well when used properly. 

This is what you need to know about the Rome metro:

  • It’s the smallest metro system in Europe with only 3 lines covering 37 miles of the city.
  • You can purchase tickets in advance, at the station, or even at certain distribution points like newspaper stands and corner stores.
  • There are many ticket options available, like one-way tickets that allow for unlimited transfers for a 75-minute period, which begins once validated at the station.
  • For a better deal, buy a MetroBus 24, 48, or 72 hour ticket for unlimited use of the metro, buses, trams, urban trains, and Trenitalia Regional trains.
  • Roma Passes combine unlimited 48 or 72 hour travel within Rome with one free entry to a museum or archaeological site in the city.
  • Line A (Orange) stops near the Vatican and Line B (Blue) has stops near the Colosseum.
  • The metro runs Sunday through Thursday from 5:30am to 11:30pm, with service extended until 1:30am on Friday and Saturday.

Header Image Credit: Getty Images, CentralITAlliance. Image Location: Colosseum, Rome, Italy

Ready to book your tickets?