Italy has been called “the land of a thousand hills” for good reason. The country boasts beautiful landscapes, delicious food, and friendly people.
But there’s so much more to this country than its famous cities and scenic views.
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Italy by train is a fantastic concept. Train travel allows you to experience all that Italy has to offer in a unique way.
You can visit the main cities of Italy in the comfort of their new fast trains.
There are plenty of things to do when travelling by train in Italy. You’ll find yourself surrounded by nature as you pass through rolling green hills and lush valleys.
Imagine the hills of Tuscany luring outside your window as you arrive in Florence. Check out our detailed Florence in 2 Days Itinerary here.
If you’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Lake Maggiore, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world.
And if you’re looking for some culture, you’ll find plenty of museums, art galleries, and historic sites along the way. Visit GetYourGuide to see the incredible range of things to do in Italy.
It’s easy to make friends while travelling by train. People tend to travel by train more and more and you might learn a few Italian words when sitting next to the locals. But you will also meet other travellers who are eager to share their experiences.
Travelling around Italy by train will be one of the best cultural experiences you have in the country.
If you’re looking for cheap flights, consider taking the train instead. Trains are often cheaper than flying, especially when you’re exploring Italy. Travelling around Italy by train will save you money. They are fast, efficient and very modern. Trains also allow you to explore cities that aren’t accessible by plane either.
We use Trainline to book the cheapest train fares in Italy.
Renting a car in Italy, paying for tolls, parking and the high cost of gasoline will end up costing you a fortune. If you would like to save money to travel further in Europe, visit Italy by train.
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There’s no doubt that travelling by air is convenient, but there are some downsides to flying. First, you might not have enough time to fully enjoy your destination as you will spend more time at the airports and going through security.
Second, you might miss out on seeing the local culture and history that you would otherwise get to see if passing through the country on a train.
Finally, you might feel stressed when you arrive at your destination.
Trust me travelling by train in Europe is the best option. And, when it comes to travelling around Italy by train, it is a must as they have some of the fastest trains too!
Here are the routes of the fastest train Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa in Italy, reaching top speeds of 300 km/h and 400 km/h respectively.
Frecciarossa trains run along 4 routes in Italy:
Here are some examples of prices to help you plan when you visit Italy by train.
EXPERT TIP: Reserve your train (or coach) tickets using Trainline. This booking platform offers instant confirmation with the best fares. On average, you can save up to 60% off by booking your train tickets for Italy on Trainline.
The base standard fare:
Fast Train Rome-Florence €45
Fast Train Rome-Venice €84
Economy or super-economy fare (When you book on Trainline in advance online)
Fast Train Rome-Florence from €20
Fast Train Rome-Venice €30
If you’d instead visit Italy with like-minded travellers, what better way to explore Italy by train than by joining a guided small-group Rail Tour?
Immerse yourself fully in Italian culture and reserve a space on this ‘9-Day Italy Rail Express’ Tour with Expat Explore. These guys offer some of Europe’s best coach & rail group tours.
Don’t take my word for it; read the rave reviews from past guests!
The only decisions you’ll have to make will be to order espresso or cappuccino, pizza or pasta in Rome (don’t miss these 10 best dishes to try once you get there) and which of the top-rated Vatican Tours should you choose to do in Rome?
Don’t miss our EUROPE CITY GUIDES
If this 9-Day Rail Adventure is for you, then book your space on any available departure. The best news is that you can *take 5% off the trip price! Just quote our promo code VERYHUNGRYNOMADS to your Expat Explore reservations agent and save! (*Applicable to new Expat Explore clients only).
Either way, travelling around Italy by train is a wise choice.
Train travel in Europe is fantastic! Reserve your train tickets and discover Italy and beyond!
We have many travel guides and tips for Italy—what a beautiful country!
You must read these 15 best places to visit in Italy to help you plan the ultimate itinerary.
Our expertly crafted city itineraries include our perfect 2 days in Florence itinerary.
Be sure to try these top 5 places to eat the best pizza in Florence.
This complete 3 days in Rome itinerary has sights, history and cuisine in mind, and Roman food is fantastic. Don’t miss our 10 delicious Roman dishes when you’re there.
You must plan a stop by the city of canals, Venice. Our detailed one-day in Venice itinerary covers the city’s highlights, with some great suggestions for spending more days here.
These top 10 things to do in Venice will keep you busy. For your convenience, we’ve also listed the top-rated Vatican tours.
If you stop by Milan, the city of Italian fashion – it’s just an easy day trip to Lake Como, the most beautiful lake in Italy. Here is how to get to Lake Como from Milan, it includes three easy options.
Here are our recommendations for why the village of Bellagio in Lake Como is our favourite place to visit and stay.
Did you know that train travel in Italy is the best way to get around? This is why we recommend travelling by train in Italy.
If you’re hungry for more fantastic Italian cuisine, we recommend you visit Bologna.
These 12 amazing things to do in Bologna include the best sites and where to find the best food.
If you travel for food, don’t miss these 10 best countries for food lovers.
You’ll need to stay connected while travelling in Italy. We recommend eSIM. It’s easy, reliable and affordable. View options for eSIM in Italy or view the regional Europe eSIM (which covers 39 countries).
If your travels in Italy are part of a larger global adventure, then a Global eSIM may be the answer. It connects you in 124 countries, offering data-only eSIM and data/call/text eSIM. The Global eSIM has been a game-changer; we couldn’t imagine travelling without it now.
Want to travel in Italy with like-minded travellers? View the best deals on group adventures in Italy.
Check out our best-ever travel tips compiled from more than twenty years of experience.
✈️ Flights: We use Skyscanner to book cheap flights worldwide.
🏨 Accommodation: Booking.com is our preferred platform for booking hotels and accommodation. We use Vrbo to book apartments and long-term stays.
🏥 Travel Insurance: We recommend Heymondo (Get 5% off Heymondo) & SafetyWing
🚌 Transportation: Trainline is the best website to reserve trains. We use Omio to book transport worldwide. For travel in Asia, we use 12Go.
🚘 Car Rental: We use DiscoverCars to book rental cars worldwide.
👫 Group Tours: We now offer Group Trips; view them here! Alternatively, we recommend G Adventures OR Tourradar. For Europe, Expat Explore is a good choice. *Get 5% off when you quote code VERYHUNGRYNOMADS to your Expat reservations agent. (*Valid for new clients only).
📸 Day Tours & Trips: GetYourGuide & Viator are the only two platforms you need.
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