Italy Train Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
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We spent a few weeks travelling in Europe this summer, with no car, just planes and trains. Before getting there we did a ton of research on how to book and navigate the train system in Italy. I looked at Facebook groups and Googled everything to do with getting around Italy by train. Everyone made it sound so complicated!
The funny thing is, we figured it out and there we realized there was no need for all the complication. I have put together this simple guide to travelling by train in Italy. It covers everything from booking to finding your train and what to do when you’re on the train
Is Travelling by Train in Italy Easy?
A natural question would be to ask whether trains are an easy way to get around Italy, and the answer is yes!
They have trains that travel around the country to every city, while you get to sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery.
Many of the trains are high speed, depending on your destination, so you will get there much quicker than by car.
You don’t have to worry about driving on unfamiliar roads or finding parking. Plus, if you are travelling with kids like us, kids have more freedom to move around on a train. No bathroom stops either!
How the Train System in Italy Works
In Italy there are 2 main train companies Trenitalia and Italo. Only book from these 2 websites. All others like Rail Europe, are third party websites and will charge at a premium.
There are also three different train types. There are high speed trains, intercity trains and regional trains. I will briefly explain each one and what you should look for when booking.
High-Speed Trains in Italy
High speed trains are exactly as the name describes! Because they travel at a faster speed, they are used for long distance travel like from Rome to Venice.
When we were on them, we hit speeds up to 250km/hr.
On Trenitalia these trains are called Frecciarossa.
For the high speed trains in Italy, you book an assigned carriage and seat. The earlier you book, the better the price.
Intercity trains are able to get to most medium-sized and larger cities and are used for longer journeys. Just like the high-speed trains, you have a reserved seat that you book ahead of time. If you are not in a rush, this may be a good option for the price, but the trains are older in this category.
Lastly, the regional trains are the most cost-effective but slower. They service all stations, including those more rural. There are no assigned seats, and the price is set, so you can book ahead or at the station and it will be the same price.
This was my least favourite train, but mostly because we used it after just getting off the business-class Frecciarossa. This was much different, just like any regular train you’d get in any city. You would mostly be on this train for shorter distances.
For ease, we booked all our trains ahead of time and had our tickets in an email, so there was no fussing about at the station trying to buy and keep paper tickets.
Trenitalia vs. Italo: What’s the Difference?
Trenitalia is state-owned, while Italo is privately owned. However, they are very comparable in train comfort and price.
It’s also worth noting that Trenitalia services stations all over the country, including smaller ones, whereas Italo mostly services main cities.
Which One Should You Book?
When booking, we looked at where we needed to go, the better price, and the scheduled times to determine which of the two companies we would use for a particular journey.
How to Book Train Tickets in Italy
Where to Buy Italy Train Tickets
Always buy your Italy train tickets on the official website of the train company you are using. This ensures you get the best price.
If you are travelling with Trenitalia visit their website here and if you are travelling with Italo visit their website here.
There are third-party websites like Rail Europe and Trainline that offer tickets, and while I have never personally used them to book trains in Italy, I have heard mixed results using them. Always compare the price and look at reviews before doing this.
Train Tickets for Families
For families travelling with their children by train in Italy, there are different options for ticket pricing.
On the national trains, kids under age 15 will receive 50% off the base fare ticket. If you have a child under age 4, you can sit them on your knee for free.
On the regional trains, it is under age 12 for 50% off, and 12 and older is full price.
There is also a family ticket available when booking the high-speed and intercity trains that offers a great discount. Children (aged 14 or under) travel for free when in groups of 2 to 5 people, including at least one adult.
How Far in Advance Should You Book Train Tickets in Italy?
You can book tickets usually 30-90 ahead of time. For the high speed trains, the earlier you book the cheaper it will be.
The cost will go up as it starts to get closer to the date. The trains could also fill up.
I did a quick comparison on Trenitalia. If I were to book a ticket from Rome to Venice for next week, it would cost me 92 Euros. But if I book that same route for 2 months from now, it will cost me 36 Euros.
For regional routes, you can book on their website, which I recommend if you know the time and date you are needing. But there is also no change in price or risk of selling out the closer it gets to your travel dates.
Do You Need to Reserve a Seat?
On the long-distance trains, like the high-speed or intercity trains, you will need to reserve a seat when you book.
For the regional trains, it is open seating and you do not need to reserve a seat.
What You’ll Receive After Booking your Italy Train Tickets
Since we booked all our tickets online ahead of time, it made things much easier when we arrived.
After you book your Italy train tickets online, you will receive a confirmation email with a digital ticket attached. You must put each person’s name per ticket. Keep it accessible on your phone and show it to the train attendant when requested.
If you buy a regional ticket at the station and receive a paper copy of it, you must validate it before getting on the train.
What Do You Need to Know Before Arriving at the Station?
Find the Correct Train Station
This might seem like an obvious point, but some cities have more than one station, so it’s important to not only book the one you want, but also arrive at the right station.
For example, Venice has 2 main train stations: Venezia Santa Lucia and Venezia Mestre. While one is located right on the island in the main tourist area, the other is on the mainland. Both are called Venice, so always double-check where you are going!
Check the Departure Board
When you arrive at the train station, locate a departure board, or Partenze in Italian. There will be many in different areas of the station, so it should be easy to locate.
You want to look for the train number on your ticket and departure time. Beside that, it will list your platform number, or binario in Italian.
It’s important to note that the destination shown on the board is the train’s final destination, not necessarily your stop.
For example, if you are travelling from Rome to Florence, the final destination of that train may be Venice. Florence is just a stop along the way.
That’s why it is important to look for your train number and not necessarily your destination.
Another important note on this is that the platform number may not appear on the board until about 10 minutes before departure. This is normal, so there is no need to panic!
Find Your Carriage
Once you find the platform number where your train is, you will now find your carriage (coach) number, or carrozza in Italian. Your carriage number will be on your ticket.
Look for that number on the outside of the train near the doors.
Luggage on Italian Trains: What You Need to Know
If you are like our family, where everyone has a suitcase and a backpack, and likely a bag of snacks and a sweater loosely hanging off someone, then you will want to know what to do with all that stuff.
Do You Check Your Luggage?
Trains in Italy are not like a plane where you check your bags, and they don’t get stored underneath either. You keep all your luggage with you on the train.
Where Do You Put Your Luggage?
There are overhead luggage storage shelves above the seats, which is where we chose to keep our bags.
There are also luggage racks at the end of the carriages. It is recommended that you bring a bike lock if you choose to store luggage here.
I think it’s important that you keep your luggage where you can see it, especially on the regional trains, as there is no assigned seating and people may be standing and walking around.
What Is It Like on the Train?
We really loved travelling by high-speed train in Italy. It was easy to find our assigned seats, there was lots of space for our luggage, and our kids enjoyed sitting together with a fold-out table for snacks and games.
When we could, we chose Business Class, which was worth the few extra euros. They handed out snacks, and we had a lot more space.
There was a bathroom at the end of each carriage, which was very clean.
It’s a great way to see the country without having to worry about traffic and directions.
The regional trains were a little less relaxing than the high-speed trains. We actually had to sit separately as it was busy, and there are no assigned seats.
We also found the train quite hot. We were there during a heat wave in summer, though.
Luckily, these journeys were shorter. It really wasn’t that bad. We were just used to the high-speed trains, which are really nice.
What Happens When You Arrive?
When you get to your station, gather your luggage and make your way to the exit. Don’t forget to do a quick final sweep to make sure everyone has all their things.
Exit the train and follow the signs for the exit. If you are connecting to another train, check the departures board for your platform number.
Taking the Train in Italy With Kids
When travelling across a country, especially long distances, the train is one of the best ways to travel with kids!
First of all, trains are fun! For most people, it’s not a regular way to travel, so arriving at the station and exploring the train is a highlight.
Unlike a car, where you have to sit still and be buckled up, on a train you can move around, get up off your seat, and use the bathroom.
Everyone can enjoy the scenery, especially the driver. Plus, there’s no worrying about directions, traffic, or parking.
The biggest challenge when travelling with kids by train is just navigating train stations with luggage. Make sure you only pack what you can carry.
For us, that means we all pack one carry-on-size suitcase and one backpack. Our kids only put stuff in their backpack that they know they can carry.
Make sure you have all your information ready before you get to the train station for a smooth day: your pre-purchased tickets and your train and carriage number.
How to Board a Train in Italy
Here is the basics from train platform to your seat:
- Check the train number and destination on the departures board.
- Find your platform when it appears on the departures board.
- Find your carriage by looking at the numbers beside the train doors.
- Board with your luggage.
- Find your seat. You will have an assigned seat except on the regional trains.
- Store your bags above your seat on the shelf.
- Keep your ticket accessible.
Common Questions About Train Travel in Italy
Do I need to validate my Italy train ticket?
You do not need to validate tickets that you pre-purchased online. You will get those tickets in an email, so keep that handy for when the train staff come around to check.
For regional trains where you bought tickets at the station and received a paper ticket, you will need to validate those before getting on the train.
Do I need to print my Italy train ticket?
No, you can keep the digital ticket that you received in an email and show it on your phone.
Can I bring luggage on Italian trains?
Yes, there are places on the trains to keep your luggage with you. Above your seat in the overhead shelves is what we used. There is also space at the end of each carriage.
It is recommended you are able to keep an eye on it or use a bike lock to secure it.
Do Italy trains have assigned seats?
The high-speed trains and intercity trains in Italy have assigned seats. You will pick your seats when you book your tickets.
Regional trains do not have assigned seats. You are welcome to sit in any seat and carriage.
How early should I arrive at an Italian train station?
I never like to feel rushed, so I would give yourself at least 45 minutes. I would rather find the station, use the bathroom, and get something to eat ahead of time.
Most of the time, departure boards will list platform numbers only 10–20 minutes before departure.
Is it better to travel Italy by train or car?
I think both are really great options, and we have certainly done both. I think it depends on where you are going and how much time you have.
We were travelling from Rome to Venice and wanted to see specific sites before our cruise, so train travel made sense for us.
In general, I would say to look at these factors:
Train: major cities, no need to find parking, relaxing, convenient
Car: rural areas, smaller towns, countryside, more time
Are Italian trains good for families?
Travelling by train in Italy is perfect for families. There is freedom to move around, bathrooms on board, tables at each seat to play games and lots to look at outside.
Final Thoughts on Italy Train Travel
You don’t need to know everything about the Italian rail system before your trip. You just need to understand the basics of booking, finding your platform, finding your carriage and getting onboard.
Make sure to get my free, one-page Italy Train Guide with the practical things you need to know before booking, download below!!
You may also be interested in How to Afford Travel with Kids and Travel Essentials for Families also on the blog!
