Italy

Brief History

The history of passenger railroads in Italy dates back to the early 19th century. The country's first railway line, the Naples-Portici line, was inaugurated in 1839. It marked the beginning of Italy's extensive railway network, which quickly expanded throughout the country.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Italy experienced a significant railway boom. The construction of railways played a vital role in industrial development, facilitating the transportation of goods and people across the country.
In the early years, railways in Italy were primarily owned and operated by private companies. However, in 1905, the state-owned company Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (Italian State Railways) was established to manage and control the national railway system.
During World War II, the railway infrastructure in Italy suffered significant damage. However, efforts were made to restore and modernize the railways in the post-war years. The 1960s and 1970s witnessed a period of expansion and improvement in the Italian railway network.
In recent decades, Italy has invested in high-speed rail, with the introduction of the Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) service in 2008. High-speed trains connect major cities such as Rome, Milan, Florence, and Naples, offering faster and more efficient travel options for passengers.
Today, Italy's railway system is known for its extensive coverage, connecting cities and towns throughout the country. It remains an essential mode of transportation for both domestic and international travelers, providing a reliable and convenient means of getting around Italy.

General Information and Statistics

In the Italian rail transport market, the leader is Trenitalia, which serves 80% of the country's territory. The remaining 20% is served by about forty private companies.

The total length of Italian railroads is about 17 thousand km Italian railroads carry almost 500 million passengers a year, with about 8,000 trains a day.

Most of the Italian network is electrified (11,921 km).

What connections to other countries there are.

From major Italian cities by train you can easily travel to Austria, France, Germany and Switzerland.

Are trains fast in Italy in general? How much time to cross the country?

FRECCIAROSSA trains travel throughout Italy, reaching the maximum speed of 300 km/h; they run straight into the heart of the most important cities, shortening your travel time. It takes about 12 hours to get from Torino to Reggio Di Calabria. And to travel from Oulx-Cesana-Claviere-Sestriere to Trieste Centrale takes about 7.15 hours with a couple of transfers.

What railway companies are available?

«Trenitalia» is the main transport company in Italy, offering more than 90,000 trips. The second most popular carrier is the railway company NTV. It owns «Italo» trains, which can be recognized by the logo with the image of a running hare. They run strictly within the country, the routes go through Rome, Milan, Venice, Salerno and other Italian cities.

What train types are available in Italy

Depending on the speed and route characteristics, passenger trains in Italy are divided into several types:

Le Frecce and Eurostar Italia (ETR) - high-speed premium trains. These trains have a high level of service, can reach speeds of up to 400 km/h and run with the fewest number of stops. When booking tickets are available cars of different comfort level.

Intercity (IC) - intercity trains connecting more than 200 Italian cities. Also in Italy there are Eurocity (EC) trains carrying passengers inside the country and linking it with other cities of the European Union. Maximum speed reaches 200 km/h, and the route involves more stops.

Regionale (R or REG) trains are regional, or so-called electric trains. Such trains carry passengers on short distances (not more than 300 km) between small settlements of the country. Italian regional trains proved to be inexpensive and comfortable. They reach low speeds and make frequent stops.

Are there high-speed-trains available?

High-speed trains in Italy can reach speeds of up to 400 km/h (248 mph). The fastest Italian high-speed train reaching that speed is the modern Frecciarossa 1000, which connects the main cities, including Turin, Milan, Florence, Rome, Naples and Salerno.

Most important train stations / hubs.

Italy's 2 main hub stations are Rome's: Roma Termini and Milan's: Milano Centrale. From these train stations it's possible to connect to trains to most of Italy's main cities.
The main train stations in Italy you may need to know are: Rome: Roma Termini, Venice: Venezia Santa Lucia,Verona: Verona Porta Nuova, Bologna: Bologna Centrale, Salerno: Salerno Centrale, Florence: Firenze Santa Maria Novella, Turin: Torino Porta Nuova.

Websites to buy train tickets for Italy?

www.italiarail.com, www.omio.com, https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html, https://www.italotreno.it/en

Mobile apps to buy train tickets in Italy?

Tranitalia has its own mobile app, Italo also has an app.

Possible to buy a ticket at a railway station in Italy?

You can buy tickets online with a credit card or PayPal.
You can also buy tickets in person at most major Italian train stations.  In Rome these are Termini, Trastevere, Ostiense and Tiburtina. You can buy tickets at the Trenitalia ticket office at all stations, and Italo also sells tickets at Termini and Tiburtina. There are ticket vending machines that accept cash or cards at other smaller stations, as well as at major train terminals.

Can I buy my ticket by phone?

It is possible to contact the Call Center of trenitalia for the following services:
Option 1 – Purchases and invoice issuing
Option 2 – reservation changes and refunds
Option 3 – Information
Option 4 – CartaFreccia and Trenitalia.com assistance

Return the ticket.

The ticket changes and refund policies when traveling with Trenitalia vary depending on the type of ticket purchased (Base, Economy or Super Economy). With Base and Economy tickets, it's possible to change your booking on the high-speed Trenitalia Freccia trains free of charge as long as you cover the difference in the ticket fare. This also applies to changing the cabin class you wish to travel in and your travel dates. Once the train has departed, however, it’s not possible to make any more changes. With the Super Economy fares, it’s not possible to make any changes to your train booking times and dates. If you purchased a Base fare for your trip, refunds are possible up to the departure time of the train. However, bear in mind that 20% of the original price of the ticket will be deducted from the amount refunded.

Train ticket prices

All Trenitalia tickets are offered as singles or return. Pre-purchasing Trenitalia tickets online and in advance often saves you money and allows you to take advantage of further discounts and promotions. Check out the different ticket types below:
Base Tickets: These tickets are great if you're looking for flexibility; a ticket of this type can be changed as many times as you need.
Economy Tickets: These tickets can be purchased up to two days before departure and allow you to change the time and date of travel once.
Super Economy: These tickets are the least expensive, although the date and time of travel cannot be changed.
Ordinaria: a ticket that can only be purchased for travel on Trenitalia regional trains. This type of ticket usually has a fixed price, which is determined by the class in which you travel and the time of travel.

Cheapest train to the closest nearby country?

Saver fares to neighbouring countries are available from Trenitalia. For example, from Milan to Zurich from EUR 31.90. And from Bolzano to Innsbruck from EUR 9.90.

Where to find timetables.

Find train schedules on https://www.italotreno.it/en/destinations-timetable/trains-schedules, https://www.italiarail.com/train-schedules

Buying tickets in advance or right before the train

The more in advance you book Trenitalia train tickets, the cheaper they will cost you. Booking a month in advance reduces the cost of most train tickets by almost half, so it's worth planning ahead!

Types of tickets.

Trenitalia tickets
Trenitalia offers four ticket types, each of which varies in price and flexibility. This means there are different tickets you can potentially purchase for the same train. For example, there are three ticket types (Super Economy, Economy and Base) and four different classes (Standard, Premium, Business and Executive).

Interrail/Eurail Passes in Italy

Interrail/Eurail Passes in Italy are available.

Saver price.

Super Economy tickets. As the name may suggest, this is Trenitalia’s cheapest train ticket. If you know the time and date you want to travel on, then buying this train ticket will save you money. Trenitalia doesn’t offer refunds or exchanges on this ticket, so if you want to cancel or amend your time of travel, you’ll have to purchase another ticket.

Is it cheaper to buy round-trip?

There will be no savings from buying round-trip tickets. Buy single tickets, not return tickets. This will give you more flexibility if you need to change your travel plans.

Flexible tickets.

Base tickets
To provide maximum flexibility, you can change the date, time and class of your train ticket an unlimited number of times for free, as well as return the ticket (with a 20% penalty). Such a ticket, of course, costs more than economy tickets.

Rules of boarding.

You must show ID (typically a passport) and a rail pass that has been validated before boarding the train. For trains that require seat reservations, you must also show your reservation.

Discounts for group travel.

Famiglia Offer
If you travel with a group/family of 2-5 people, with at least 1 adult and 1 child under 15, you can get 20% off your train ticket, while children under 15 get 50% off (30% for couchettes and VL). This offer is valid to travel on couchettes, VL and Intercity Night trains.
Insieme Offer
With this offer, groups of 3 to 5 people can get up to 50% off the price of a single Base ticket for each traveller.
The offer is valid for all national trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca, Intercity and ICN), in First and Second Class, Business, Premium and Standard Class, couchettes and sleeping cars.
The offer does not apply to regional trains, Frecciarossa Executive Class and Excelsior carriages; seats in the salottini cannot be booked.

Age groups and discounts.

Children under 4 years old travel for free if they don't have a seat assigned to them or with a 50% reduction on the Base fare if they do have a seat. Children aged 4 to 15 (or 4 to 12 on Regional trains) travel with a 50% discount on the Base fare.
Offerta Senior
If you have CartaFRECCIA and are over 60 years old, you're entitled to Offerta Senior – you'll get up to 50% off the Base ticket
Offerta Young
If you’re under 30 years old and have CartaFRECCIA, opt for Offerta Young – this will give you up to 50% off the Base fare.

Age limitations for minors.

Children under 4 years old travel for free if they don't have a seat assigned to them or with a 50% reduction on the Base fare if they do have a seat. Children aged 4 to 15 (or 4 to 12 on Regional trains) travel with a 50% discount on the Base fare.

Handicapped passengers.

Assistance to persons with disabilities or reduced mobility
Assistance service is provided by RFI - Rete Ferroviaria Italiana – and is addressed to:
- individuals in a wheelchair because of illness or disability;
- individuals with limb problems or with difficulty in walking;
- elderly people;
- pregnant women;
- blind or visually impaired people;
- deaf or hearing impaired people;
- people with mental handicap

Sale Blu of RFI are the reference point for all the travel needs of people with reduced mobility. They arrange for assistance in a circuit of certified railway stations.

Seat reservations in trains in Italy.

Choosing a seat on a Trenitalia train
You have the option to choose your seat on any eligible Trenitalia train. This function is available for all high-speed services, intercity trains and some regional trains.
immediately after selecting your fare type, if seat reservations are available for your train, you will be able to choose exactly the seat you and your fellow passengers prefer.  
Base free (2022 year)
Economy 2,00€ (2022 year)
Super Economy 2,00€ (2022 year)

Comfort classes on the trains.

First-class
First class seats are usually wider and offer more leg room. Two first-class seats can take up as much room as three second-class seats. Most first-class seats recline, and some even have retractable footrests.
Many first class trains provide a free snack and beverage (juice, soda, coffee) and a free newspaper on first boarding. Foreign tourists and European business travelers usually ride in first class cars. 
 second-class 
Second class seats are narrower than first class, and on older or slower trains they may even be like benches. Sometimes second-class seats recline, more often on newer, high-speed trains, but not always.
Because there are more seats in second class and because most Europeans travel second class, these cars are more crowded. They have less space for luggage storage, although the top shelves can always be used.

Food and drink in trains / train restaurant in Italy.

Some trains have restaurant or cafe cars, and others have the train equivalent of flight attendants who roll through the aisles with beverages and snacks for sale. Options include pre-made sandwiches, bags of chips, yogurt, and various cookies and candies. Beverages available include coffee, soft drinks, water, wine, and beer. You can browse a fuller menu here.
Separate restaurant cars are more common on longer train trips—particularly long-haul international trains—and on newer, high-speed trains. In many cases, these cafe cars don't have tables or seats, but rather have counter areas at which passengers can stand while they drink coffee or eat a sandwich. These cars are designed more for quick bites, and you can also bring what you buy back to your seat.

Night trains in Italy?

Intercity Notte are Trenitalia’s night trains in Italy that cover long distances, from the north to the south of the peninsula, offering modern coaches equipped with all the comforts you’ll need for a pleasant night’s sleep. Night trains in Italy provide spacious and comfortable cabins for up to three people (with single options available), comfort carriages with four beds or the night-seats option. Some of the most popular routes served by Intercity night trains are Bolzano to Rome, Lecce to Milan, Milan to Syracuse and Palermo to Milan.
Also Austrian company OBB offers its services for passenger transportation by night trains from Germany and Austria.

Important train routes in Italy.

Rome – Florence / 2:05 hours / from 14,90 EUR / every 30 minutes (August 2023)
Rome – Naples / 1:08 hours / from 10,90 EUR / every 30 minutes (August 2023)
Rome – Venice / 4:20 hours / from 27,90 EUR / every 20-50 minutes (August 2023)
Milan – Rome / 4:30 hours / from 29,90 EUR / every 30 minutes (August 2023)
Milan – Florence / 1:54 hours / from 16,90 EUR / every 30 minutes (August 2023)
Milan – Monterosso al Mare / 2:55 hours / from 16,90 EUR / every 1 hour  (August 2023)

International train routes.

There are direct international trains from Italy to the Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Germany, Switzerland, Switzerland.

Tourist / scenic routes in Italy.

Milan (or Milano) is world-renowned as the Italian hub of design and fashion. Well-connected by train to the rest of the country, as well as the major European cities, the Italian capital of fashion also boasts plenty of tourist attractions and an incredible social life, including not-to-be-missed events and happy hours, especially along the Navigli canals.

Cinque Terre Express
An immensely popular service with visitors to the Italian Riviera, Trenitalia’s Cinque Terre Express runs through the villages in the Cinque Terre region.
The Cinque Terre Express runs between La Spezia and Levanto, stopping at all the picturesque villages in the Cinque Terre National Park:
Monterosso
Corniglia
Vernazza
Riomaggiore
Manarola
Trains on the Cinque Terre route run every 15 minutes, 7 days per week. Because the Cinque Terre Express is a regional train, the ticket prices are the same on the day as they would be in advance. One-way tickets cost €4 for adults and €2 for children. If you’re travelling from a station outside the National Park (such as Genoa), the Cinque Terre Express ticket includes a supplement of €2.40/€1.20.
Venice (or Venice), birthplace of the adventurer Casanova and site of one of the world's most spectacular carnivals, attracts more than 20 million tourists from around the world each year. This unique Italian city is divided into two parts and boasts an incredible artistic and cultural heritage. Get ready for breathtaking bridges, magnificent monuments and classical churches, a winding network of local streets and canals, gondolas and vaporettos (Venetian water buses), which are famous all over the world.

Venice is served by two train stations (Venezia Santa Lucia and Venezia Mestre), with Venezia Santa Lucia being the central hub of the city's rail network.

Trenitalia runs regional and high-speed trains to and from both stations in Venice, and you can also get to Venice on the Italo high-speed train. The high-speed services of both operators help to significantly reduce travel time between the major destinations in Italy: trains from Rome (Roma Termini station) to Venice take 3 hours 45 minutes, from Milan (Milano Centrale) to Venice - 2 hours 25 minutes, and from Florence (Firenze Santa Maria Novella) to Venice - only 2 hours.

Luggage information.

You can bring as much luggage as you want on all Trenitalia trains, as long as it's compatible with the space available on board – and there’s no extra cost for it! There’s plenty of luggage space on Le Frecce, Intercity and Regional trains.

Bicycle on the train.

While folding bikes are allowed on any Trenitalia train if placed in racks and luggage, traditional bikes are allowed only if disassembled and placed in special bags (80 x 110 x 40 cm).

Ski or snowboard on the train.

Skis, snowboards, and other large items are only allowed on board the train if there is "suitable space" in which to stow them during the trip. If sufficient space isn't available in your train car, you must be prepared to check your skis to be carried in the baggage car.

Luggage lockers on the stations in Italy.

Most train stations in Italy have their own left luggage stores.
Here are some of the luggage lockers and their opening hours 
06:00-23:00 in Rome, Milan, Florence and Venice.
08:00-20:00 in Turin.
07:00-21:00 in Verona Porta Nuova.
06:00-22:00 in Bologna Centrale.
07:00-23:00 in Naples.

Lost and Found Items.

Lost property service
Search service for property lost on board Frecce trains
The lost property search service is for all customers of Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabianca trains in the stations of Turin Porta Nuova, Milan Central, Venice Mestre, Venice Santa Lucia, Verona Porta Nuova, Padua, Brescia, Genoa Porta Principe, Bologna Central, Florence Santa Maria Novella, Ancona, Rome Termini, Naples Central, Bari, Foggia, Lecce and Reggio Calabria Central.

If, on alighting from a train at one of the stations mentioned above, you realise you have left an object on the train, promptly request activation of the service by contacting the Customer Service offices at the station.

Pets on the trains.

Small pets are allowed on board all Trenitalia trains for free provided they’re placed in a carrier or cage (max dimensions 70 x 30 x 50 cm). You can travel with bigger dogs on all trains only during off-peak hours and if they’re kept on a leash and equipped with a muzzle. You’ll need to buy a half-price Standard ticket for bigger dogs. Guide dogs are allowed on all trains at no additional cost.

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