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The Man in Seat 61

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Ride the trains in Italy from €9.90

There's no better way to see the cities of Italy than by train, trains link almost every town & city of any size, centre to centre.  Driving & parking in Italian cities is not recommended.  The high-speed trains are now faster, more convenient & more relaxing than flying (between 2008 & 2018, the airlines' share of the Milan-Rome market dropped from 50% to just 14%!).

Rome to Florence takes just 1h32 at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) & costs from €19.90, Rome to Venice 3h45 from €29.90, Rome to Naples 1h12 from €19.90, Rome to Milan 2h55 from €29.90.

No check-in, no need for transfers to/from out-of-town airports, no baggage fees or weight limits.  There are even trains to Sicily !

  Buy tickets online

How to reach specific places

Station guides

City maps showing stations

International trains to & from Italy

Other useful information

Useful country information

How to check train schedules & fares.

Check train times & fares within Italy using any of the websites shown here .

Some major cities have more than one main station, see which station to use in which city .  If you're not sure, most websites allow you to select the plain city name, or any station .

Maps of the Italian rail network

How to buy tickets, do you need to buy in advance.

Regional trains, no

For example, Pisa to Florence, Florence to Lucca or Siena, Milan to Como or Tirano, Venice to Trieste.

There's no need to buy in advance and no cost advantage in doing so as the price is fixed, buying online or in an app just saves time at the ticket office.  There are no assigned seats, you sit where you like.  In most cases tickets are sold in unlimited numbers so the train can't sell out, although regional trains on a few routes now have limited numbers.  More about regional (R) & regional express (RV) trains and how they are ticketed .

Long-distance trains, yes

For example, Venice to Florence or Rome, Rome to Naples or Turin, Milan to Venice.

All seats on Frecciarossa , Frecciargento , Frecciabianca & InterCity trains are reserved, so they can in theory sell out.  However, as there are so many trains each with hundreds of seats there are almost always places available on most trains even just before departure. So you can buy at the station on the day if you want. The issue is price.  Trenitalia ditched the old fare-per-kilometre approach to pricing in 2009 and adopted airline-style dynamic pricing for advance-purchase fares whilst increasing the fully-flexible Base price.  So on the day of travel you'd pay the Base fare, Rome-Florence €55, Rome-Venice €99, but if you book in advance you can buy a cheap Economy or Super-Economy fare from as little as €19.90 Rome-Florence or €29.90 Rome-Venice, assuming you're OK with limited or no refunds or changes to travel plans.  It's your call!

When does booking open?

Booking opens up to 4 months ahead, but this varies

It can shrink to as little as 30 days for dates immediately after Europe-wide timetable changes on the 2nd Saturday in June and the second Saturday in December.

If some trains are shown, but others are missing...

Trenitalia loads trains in blocks, usually high-speed trains first and regional, InterCity & sleeper trains later.  I've seen high-speed trains loaded, but not regional trains.  I've seen regional trains loaded, but not high-speed trains.  Intercity trains to Sicily and ICN sleeper trains usually get loaded last, after other trains.  The Milan-Sicily night train usually gets loaded last of all!

So if you don't see all the trains you expect to see, don't assume that the missing trains have all been mysteriously cancelled, assume they haven't been loaded yet.  Wait!

Types of fare

This is the fully-flexible fare for Trenitalia's high-speed Frecce & intercity trains, it's what you'd pay at the station on the day.  Refundable, only valid on the train booked but can be changed before departure or at the station up to an hour after departure.  The Base fare was originally one fixed price for a given journey, but since 2017 the Base fare for Frecciarossa & Frecciargento trains can vary slightly by day of the week or the popularity of each particular train.

Economy & Super-Economy

These are cheaper advance-purchase fares for Trenitalia's high-speed Frecce & intercity trains, only valid on the train booked, limited refunds & changes, limited availability, these are the fares you want for cheap travel if you are certain what time train you want.  The price varies like air fares, cheaper in advance and on less popular dates, more expensive close to departure and on busy days or times of day.

Speciale Frecce

An ultra-cheap advance purchase fare for Trenitalia's high-speed Frecce & intercity trains, must be bought at least 14 days ahead.  No refunds, no changes, use it or lose it.  But it's cheap!

A small group fare for 3-5 people.  Limited availability, price varies.  No refunds, no changes, use it or lose it.

Senior & FrecciaYoung

These can only be bought if you have Trenitalia's Cartafreccia railcard which you probably haven't, so ignore these.  When you select them it immediately asks for your Cartafreccia card number, so you can't buy them by mistake!

This is the normal fare for regional trains.  It's fixed-price, you can buy a ticket at that price even on the day.  As of 2023, online regional tickets are only good for the specific train you've selected, but you can change the date or time of departure free of charge up to 23:59 on the day before departure, and you can change the time of departure until 23:59 on the day of travel.  Ordinaria tickets are available in unlimited numbers on most regional trains, although there are now some regional trains where the ticket numbers sold are limited, see more about how regional (R) & regional express (RV) trains are ticketed .

Option 1, buy at Italiarail.com

You can buy Trenitalia tickets at www.italiarail.com in €, £, $, Ca$ or Au$ - to book in US$ click here .

ItaliaRail are a well-established US-based agency who link directly to Trenitalia's ticketing system.  They don't sell tickets for Italo .

Italiarail books the same trains as Trenitalia's own website, but in plain English with no quirky translations.  You can use familiar English place-names such as Venice or Florence.

Italiarail shows a whole day's trains in the search results and can book up to 20 people at a time.  Trenitalia's own website only shows a couple of hours-worth of trains at a time and can only book up to 5 people at a time.

For en extra €2 you can choose your seats from a seat map on Trenitalia high-speed & intercity trains, making sure you all sit together.

Italiarail can be cheaper than Trenitalia for 2 or more people travelling together as it is capable of combining (for example) the last remaining €19.90 ticket with a ticket at the next price level up, say €29.90.  Trenitalia.com cannot mix & match price levels within the same booking, so will offer 2 x €29.90 even if there is one €19.90 fare left.  For family groups the cost saving can be significant.

High-speed & intercity trains are ticketless, you simply print your booking reference or show it on your phone.  For regional trains you print your own ticket, show them in an app or in some cases collect it from the self-service machines at a Trenitalia station.

Tip:   Italiarail charge a €3.50 booking fee, but they'll refund this if you email them at [email protected] quoting your booking reference.

Option 2, buy at Thetrainline.com

Thetrainline also connects to Trenitalia's system to sell tickets in plain English at the same prices as Trenitalia, in €, £, $, Ca$ or Au$, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.

For an extra €2, you can choose your seats from a seat map on Trenitalia high-speed & intercity trains.

Thetrainline.com has two key advantages:

First, it sells tickets for Italo as well as Trenitalia, so you can compare times & prices for both operators.

Second, it also links to the French, Spanish, Swiss, German, Austrian & Benelux national ticketing systems so you can book train tickets across much of western Europe together all in one place.

High-speed & intercity trains are ticketless, you simply print your booking reference or show it on your phone.  For regional trains you print your own ticket, can show them in an app or in some cases collect them from the self-service machines at a Trenitalia station.  Who are Thetrainline.com?

Option 3, buy at Raileurope.com

You can also buy Trenitalia & Italo tickets at www.raileurope.com , also in plain English with prices in €, £ or $, small booking fee.  It also connects to the French, German, Austrian, Spanish, British ticketing systems (but not the Swiss) so can sell train tickets for much of western Europe all in one place.  Again, high-speed & intercity trains are ticketless so you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone, for regional trains you usually print your own ticket or collect tickets from the self-service machines at any main Trenitalia station.  Who are Raileurope.com?

Option 4, buy at Trenitalia.com

You can of course buy Italian train tickets direct from Italian Railways at www.trenitalia.com , English button at the top, only in €, no booking fee.  It's pretty easy to use but you'll need to use Italian-language place names and it has a few quirky translations & processes especially when booking sleepers or international trains so see the step-by-step guide below .

High-speed & intercity trains are ticketless, you print your booking reference or show it on your phone, other tickets can be printed or collected at any main Italian station from the self-service machines .  It also offers seat selection for €2 on high-speed & intercity trains.

For 2 or more people travelling together, you may find ItaliaRail cheaper, see option 1 above.  Obviously, they don't sell tickets for their competitor Italo , or for other European trains outside Italy.

Buying tickets at the station

It's easy to buy tickets at the station on the day of travel, even if you don't speak Italian.  Simply go to one of the Fast ticket machines installed at all main stations, these have a touch screen with an English language facility, see an illustrated guide to using the ticket machines .

The machines will sell both regional and long-distance tickets, including seat reservations for long-distance trains, for any date you like within the next 90 days.  They take Visa and MasterCard credit cards, but your card needs to have a PIN code.

Trains seldom sell out, finding tickets even on the day of travel isn't a problem unless you hit a major holiday period.  If one train is full, the next will have seats.  Just remember that high-speed & Intercity trains are cheaper booked in advance, just like flights.  If you buy on the day, you will have to pay the 'Base' fare , in other words the top tier flexible price.

How to buy international tickets

The easy way

The easiest option is to use either www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com as they can book most international journeys to/from Italy.

Both sites connect to the Trenitalia, SNCF (French), SBB (Swiss), ÖBB (Austrian) and DB (German) ticketing systems so they can book most routes to/from Italy including any Italian domestic connecting trains.

They're very easy to use, you can book in €, £ or $, international credit cards are no problem.  There's a small booking fee.

Thetrainline.com allows you to select seats from a seat map on Trenitalia's high-speed & Intercity trains, and on French TGVs in 1st class.

For more specific information on international trains from Italy to other European cities and how to book them, click on your starting city:

Rome   Naples   Florence   Venice   Milan

The advanced way

Alternatively, you can book with the relevant operator, usually with no booking fee, but you need to know which operator runs which route.  You'll often need to book any connecting trains separately, as most operators can't book each other's trains.

To/from Switzerland

The direct EuroCity trains between Milan and Brig, Lausanne, Geneva, Lugano, Luzern, Bern, Basel & Zurich can be booked at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com .  Italiarail will refund their small booking fee if you email them at [email protected] after booking.

Both sites can book from anywhere in Italy to any Swiss station that is directly served by the EuroCity trains from Milan.  But they can't book onward tickets within Switzerland such as Brig to Zermatt, Arth-Goldau to Luzern or Spiez to Interlaken, so buy those separately from Swiss Railways at www.sbb.ch .

To/from Paris

The Frecciarossa trains between Milan/Turin & Lyon/Paris can be booked at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com .  Both sites can book from anywhere in Italy to Lyon or Paris.  However, they can't book onward French trains to other French cities (or to London or Brussels) so you'll need to book those separately at www.sncf-connect.com .

The French TGV trains between Milan, Turin & Paris can be booked at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com with no booking fee.  It allows you to choose a seat from a seat map in 1st class, too.  However, it cannot book connecting Trenitalia trains within Italy, so you'll need to book those separately at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com .

To Nice, Cannes, Monaco or Marseille

First book from anywhere in Italy to Ventimiglia (on the French border where Trenitalia's trains terminate) at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com .  Trenitalia can't sell an onward French ticket, so buy your onward ticket from Ventimiglia to any French destination at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com .  There's more about the Italy-Nice route on the Italy to Nice page .

To Innsbruck, Munich & Germany by daytime trains

The EuroCity trains between Bologna/Venice/Verona and Innsbruck or Munich can be booked at the German Railways website int.bahn.de with no booking fee, this can book tickets from the EuroCity train's starting stations to anywhere in Germany, but it cannot book connecting Trenitalia trains within Italy (at least not in their main system with through fares), so book those separately at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com .

To Vienna by daytime trains

The railjet trains between Venice and Vienna can be booked at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at with no booking fee, this can book tickets from Venice to anywhere in Austria, but it cannot book connecting Trenitalia trains within Italy, so book those separately at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com .

To Munich & Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train

The Nightjet sleeper trains between Rome, Florence, Genoa, Milan, Venice and Munich or Vienna can be booked at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at , but this can't book connecting trains within Italy, so book those separately at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com .

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Railpasses for Italy

Interrail & eurail passes.

Global & one-country passes

You can buy an Interrail pass (if you live in Europe, including the UK) or a Eurail pass (if you live outside Europe) giving unlimited travel on all Trenitalia trains all over Italy.  An Interrail/Eurail global pass covers most of Europe including Italy, a cheaper one-country pass only covers Italy.

Interrail & Eurail passes cover all Trenitalia trains, high-speed, intercity, Intercity Notte and regional.  They don't cover Italo trains , or some small railways such as the Circumvesuviana Railway Naples-Sorrento.

Reservation fees

Interrail & Eurail passholders must reserve seats to travel on Frecciarossa , Frecciargento & Frecciabianca trains, this costs €13 in addition to the cost of the pass.  The reservation fee for Intercity trains is €3.  For Intercity Notte sleeper trains , see the reservation fees here .

You can make passholder reservations online as explained in the Italy section of the Interrail & Eurail reservations page .  You can also make them at stations, but at  the staffed counters only, not the self-service machines.  Passholder reservations cannot be made at Trenitalia.com.

Pass or point-to-point tickets?

The cost of reservation fees must be factored into the cost of a pass when comparing with point-to-point tickets.  All the point-to-point prices that you see online include any necessary reservation.

You must then realise that there are two types of point-to-point fare:  Cheap advance-purchase fares and the more expensive fully-flexible Base fare.

If all your dates and journeys are set in stone a month or two ahead, it's usually cheaper to buy advance-purchase Super-Economy or Economy fares.  For example Venice to Florence starts at €19.90, Venice to Rome starts at €29.90, seat reservation included.  A typical Interrail or Eurail pass might work out as €55 per day + €13 reservation fee = €68.

But advance-purchase fares vary like air fares, rising as departure date approaches, higher for busy or popular days or dates.  So you'll only know for sure if you go online and see what the point-to-point prices are for your specific journeys on your specific dates of travel.

Then remember that these cheap advance-purchase fares commit you to a specific train with limited or no changes to travel plans or refunds.  A pass gives you the flexibility to go wherever and whenever you like, you should really compare the pass with the fully-flexible Base fare you'd pay at the station on the day.

Even so, if you only plan to make relatively short hops such as Venice-Florence one day, Florence-Rome next day, Rome-Naples the next, the Base fare is often still cheaper than the per-day cost of a pass.  You basically need to be doing longer trips such as Venice-Rome or Milan-Naples every day, or multiple trips per day such as Rome to Florence and back again, to make a pass pay.  However, passes get cheaper if you are under 28 and children get free passes, so it's still worth doing the maths.  Youth passes can indeed make financial sense for a typical tour of Italy.

More about Interrail passes, with prices .  More about Eurail passes, with prices .  More about what these passes cover .

The Trenitalia Pass

Trenitalia also sell their own railpass called the Trenitalia Pass.  It can be bought by anyone resident outside Italy.

How is it different from a Eurail or Interrail pass?

Unlike Interrail & Eurail, it only covers Trenitalia high-speed, Intercity & Intercity Notte sleeper trains.  It doesn't cover regional trains. 

Unlike Interrail & Eurail it doesn't give you unlimited travel, you buy a specific number of journeys (3, 4, 7 or 10 trips) to be made within a set period of days, where a journey = one ride on one train.  If you went Rome to Florence in the morning and back in the evening, that's 2 trips on a Trenitalia Pass, but would be covered by just one day on an Interrail or Eurail pass.

But on the plus side, unlike Interrail & Eurail there are no extra fees to pay for reservations, it's all included.

Is a Trenitalia Pass cheaper than a Eurail or Interrail pass?

A Trenitalia Pass for a given number of trips is significantly cheaper than a global Interrail or Eurail pass covering the same number of days.

A Trenitalia pass is about the same price as a one-country Interrail or Eurail pass for Italy covering the same number of days, but as you don't need to pay €10 for every reservation, the Trenitalia pass works out cheaper.

That assumes you plan to use only one train per day.  A 4-journey Trenitalia Pass gives 4 individual train rides, a 4-day Interrail/Eurail gives unlimited rides, as many as you can cram in over 4 days .   If you're going to use multiple trains per day, an Interrail/Eurail pass is a better deal.

Is a Trenitalia Pass cheaper than point to point tickets?

A Trenitalia Pass saves money over the fully-flexible Base fare even for a series of short hops such as Rome-Florence, Florence-Venice, Venice-Milan, especially if you are under 28 so qualify for the youth pass.  But if you can book a few months in advance and don't need any flexibility, a no-refunds no-changes advance-purchase Super-Economy fare can still be cheaper than a Trenitalia Pass, check prices before buying a pass.

Trenitalia passes come in 4 sizes:

3 journeys within 7 consecutive days;

4 journeys within 7 consecutive days;

7 journeys within 15 consecutive days;

10 journeys within 30 consecutive days.

Trenitalia passes come in 2 classes:

Easy - good for 2nd class, standard class on Frecciarossa , seats or couchettes on Intercity Notte trains .

Comfort - good for 1st class, business class on Frecciarossa , seats, couchettes or double or triple sleepers on Intercity Notte trains trains.

Executive for executive class has been discontinued.

Trenitalia passes come in 3 passenger types:

Adult - up to 2 children under 12 can be added to an adult pass for free (but infants under 4 go free anyway, of course)

Youth - anyone under 28 on day of purchase.

Senior - anyone over 60 on day of purchase.

For more details and all the small print, see www.trenitalia.com and look for Trenitalia Pass .

How to buy a Trenitalia pass

You don't need to specify dates when buying a Trenitalia pass, you can book your first train for travel on any date up to 11 months afterwards.

Go to the www.trenitalia.com home page and switch it to English top right. 

Click Advanced search below the journey planner.  Click Carnet .  Then look for & click Trenitalia pass .

After buying the pass, you're emailed your pass number.  The pass is entirely electronic.

Tip:   I recommend registering for an account at Trenitalia.com before buying a pass.  Log into your account before buying.

How to book trains with a Trenitalia Pass

Seat reservations are needed on each train, but they are free and can be made online at Trenitalia.com or at stations.

Go to the www.trenitalia.com home page and switch it to English top right.

Click Advanced search below the journey planner.  Click Carnet .  Then look for & click Trenitalia pass.  Then change Purchase to Book .

Enter you pass number, first & last name of the passholder, hit Confirm and book a train with your pass.

The pass validity period starts ticking from the date of the first train you book.  So don't book your second train first then try to book another train for the previous day, that won't work.  You must book your trains in the order you'll take them!

Reservations have the same change conditions as a Base fare.  So you can cancel or change a reservation any time up to 60 minutes after the departure of the train.  If you don't do that, 60 minutes after departure that journey is considered 'used up' even if you missed the train.

When travelling, the pass can be shown on your phone or printed out.

Feedback from buying & booking trains using a Trenitalia pass would be appreciated, as without buying a pass I cannot test the process myself.

Italia In Tour , for regional trains

Italia In Tour passes are available for 3 or 5 consecutive days unlimited travel on Trenitalia regional trains all over Italy .

Good for any Trenitalia regional, regional express & metropolitan train.  But not valid (1) between La Spezia & Levanto through Cinque Terre, (2) within the territory of Lombardy, (3), the provinces of Bolzano and from Trento to Bassano del Grappa.  It can't be used on other operators' trains such as Trenord, so not valid between Milan & Tirano, for example.

It'd be ideal for a series of day trips from Florence to Siena, Luca, Pisa on successive days.  Or you could use it to work your way right across Italy on regional trains.  With this pass you can just hop on and off Trenitalia regional trains, as you like.

At the time I write this, it costs €29 for 3 days and €49 for 5 days, check latest prices online.

To see prices and buy a pass, see www.trenitalia.com/en/offers/italia-in-tour.html (please let me know if that link stops working).

Tours of Italy by train

Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour of Italy for you as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  On their website you'll find a range of suggested tours which can be varied or customised to your own requirements.  And as you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.  They have offices in the UK, USA & Australia.

Tailor Made Rail can arrange tours of Italy by train based on your own requirements, they welcome complex itineraries.  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.  From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461 .  Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.  Their website is www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/italy .

Expert individual trip planning & advice

DiscoverByRail.com offers expert help in planning trains in Italy & around Europe, with suggestions for routes, trains, hotels to your own specification.  They charge a small fee, around £35 per trip.

What are Italian trains like ?

Frecciarossa:  see the frecciarossa guide.

Trenitalia's top high-speed trains are the Frecciarossas (red arrows) , mostly operated either by the original 300 km/h (186 mph) Frecciarossa 500 trains or the latest Frecciarossa 1000 trains introduced in 2015.  Some are operated by 250 km/h (155 mph) Frecciarossa 700 & Frecciarossa 600 trains.

Frecciarossas have 3 or 4 classes of accommodation, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seas & free WiFi, s ee the Frecciarossa page for more information .

Tickets for all Trenitalia's long-distance trains include a seat reservation and are only valid on the specific date & train you've booked.

Principal Frecciarossa routes:   Turin-Milan-Bologna-Florence-Rome-Naples-Salerno ( Frecciarossa 1000 & 500 );  Venice-Florence-Rome-Naples ( Frecciarossa 1000 & 500 );  Turin-Milan-Verona-Venice (usually Frecciarossa 700 );  Milan-Ancona-Bari-Brindisi-Lecce ( Frecciarossa 500 ).  See seat maps .

Frecciargento :  See the Frecciargento guide

Next down the pecking order are Trenitalia's 250km/h (155mph) Frecciargento (silver arrow) tilting trains, although these are now rare as most are being rebranded as Frecciarossa.  Frecciargento services are operated by pendolino tilting trains, air-conditioned with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  The trains reach 250 km/h on the high-speed lines and use their tilt to cut journey times through curves when running on classic lines.

Principal remaining Frecciargento routes:   Rome-Bari, plus the odd Genoa-La Spezia-Pisa-Rome trains.  See seat maps .

Frecciabianca

One step down from Frecciarossa and Frecciargento are the Frecciabianca (white arrow) services, now getting very rare. The remaining Frecciabianca services on the Rome-Pisa-La Spezia-Genoa route are operated by older ETR460 tilting trains bumped off Frecciargento service.  They have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats & free WiFi.  Tickets include a seat reservation and are only valid on the specific date & train you've booked.

Principal remaining Frecciabianca route:   Milan-Genoa-La Spezia-Pisa-Rome.

Intercity trains :  See the IC guide

Next in the pecking order are the Intercity trains, fast trains hauled by locomotives at up to 160 km/h (100 mph), sometimes 200 km/h (125 mph).  Most Intercity cars are open-plan with a centre aisle, a few are classic side-corridor-and-compartment cars with 6-seat compartments, though you don't always get both sorts in both classes on a given train.  Some Intercity trains have a cafe counter, some just vending machines selling drinks and snacks.  You're free to bring your own food & drink, even a bottle of wine if you like.  See the Trenitalia Intercity page for more information .

Principal Intercity routes:   Rome-Naples-Sicily;  Rome-Livorno-Pisa-Cinque Terre-La Spezia-Genoa-Milan;  Milan-Genoa-Savona-Ventimiglia (for Nice).

Intercity Notte sleeper trains:   See the ICN guide

Comfortable Intercity Notte (ICN) overnight trains link Milan, Bologna, Rome, Naples with Messina, Palermo, Catania & Siracuse on Sicily, see the Trains to Sicily page .

Intercity Notte overnight trains also link Trieste/Venice with Rome, Turin/Milan with Naples, and Turin/Milan with Bari, Brindisi & Lecce, see the Intercity Notte page .

Regionale & Regionale Veloce (R, RV)

Regional trains come in many different shapes & sizes, they operate all over Italy including Florence-Pisa, Florence-Siena, Florence-Lucca, Venice-Trieste, Rome-Civitavecchia.  On regional trains there are no assigned seats, you sit where you like.  Luggage goes on the racks or simply on the floor.  There's no catering, so bring your own food & drink.  Many are 2nd class only.

There's little point in booking regional trains in advance as there's just one cheap fixed Ordinaria fare that can be bought on the day at that price.  Buy a ticket from the ticket office or self-service machines or buy online or in the Trenitalia app.  Interrail or Eurail passholders can just hop on, nothing more to do or pay.

How tickets for regional trains work, from August 2023 onwards:

For tickets bought online, the old system of having to stamp your ticket in a validator is gone and so is the system of tickets being good for a 4-hour time slot.  From 5 August 2023, tickets for regional trains bought online or in an app are only good for train you have selected, but this can be changed free of charge as follows:

You can change the date and/or departure time free of charge using the Trenitalia app or website, as many times as you like, up to 23:59 on the day before departure. Tickets are also 80% refundable up to that time.

On the day of travel, you can change the departure time as many times as you like, free of charge, until 23:59 or the last train, whichever is sooner.

Before boarding the train you must 'check in' online using the app or the website link provided.  You can check in at any time on the day of travel, as long as it is before you board the train.  Checking-in validates the ticket for use on that train, your ticket is then considered used, it becomes non-refundable and no further changes can be made.

Remember you'll need internet access on your phone to check in.  If you can't rely on that, either check in before you leave your hotel using the hotel's WiFi (remembering that no changes or refunds can be made after you have checked in), or buy at the station instead, at least 5 minutes before departure.

Online regional tickets bought from a retailer such as www.thetrainline.com or www.italiarail.com also work in this way, you'll get a link to check in and make changes to the date & time.  You show the QR code on your phone or can print the confirmation email with the codes on.

Can regional trains sell out?

Tickets are usually available in unlimited numbers so regional trains can't sell out, for example Milan-Tirano, Florence-Siena or Florence-Pisa.  However, Trenitalia now have some regional routes such as Venice-Trieste where the number of tickets sold for each train is limited so they can in theory sell out and occasionally do - even though specific seats aren't assigned.  This devious practice started during the pandemic and has continued.  To check, find the train on www.trenitalia.com and click the 'i' symbol for details.  If it says non-prenotabile , you're fine, tickets are unlimited and can't sell out.  If it says prenotabile ticket numbers are limited, so bear that in mind.

A regional train of the sort that runs from Florence to Pisa, Livorno & Siena.

Italo high-speed trains:   See the Italo guide

Private operator NTV (Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori) started operating its Italo high-speed trains on the Milan-Bologna-Florence-Rome-Naples route in 2012, and now competes with Trenitalia on the Turin-Milan-Verona-Venice and Venice-Florence-Rome-Naples routes as well.  Competition between Trenitalia and Italo has driven up quality, increased capacity and driven down fares.  It's well worth considering Italo for a journey between the main Italian cities.

See the Seat61 Italo information page for more information, an illustrated guide and the Italo video guide .

An Italo AGV train at Rome Termini .

Travel tips

1st or 2nd class?

2nd class (or standard class on Frecciarossas ) is absolutely fine.  It's very comfortable and there's plenty of luggage space, there's no need to pay for 1st class (or business class on Frecciarossas ) if you are on a budget.  There are very few peasants & chickens in 2nd class on European trains these days...

On the other hand, 1st (or business) class is nicer, with wider, plusher seats and a quieter environment with more laptops tapping and fewer noisy kids.  And with long-distance trains dynamically priced, it often costs only a little more to go 1st class if you book ahead. 

1st class seats are generally arranged 2+1 across the car width rather than 2+2, so you get solo seats (ideal for single travellers) and face-to-face tables for two on one side of the aisle, ideal for couples as you then face each other and both get a window seat that is also an aisle seat, the best of both worlds. 

On Frecciarossa trains you also get a complimentary glass of prosecco and a small snack box in business class.

Luggage arrangements:   See the luggage section .

Ticket validation

Language problems

First-time visitors often think this will be a problem, but it hardly ever is.  At stations, finding your platform & train using the various departure screens is no different from finding your gate & plane at an airport.  Signs are often in English as well as Italian, or pictograms are used.  On high-speed trains, announcements are usually repeated in English.

At ticket offices clerks have a pretty shrewd idea you want a train ticket not a packet of washing powder, in fact clerks in popular tourist cities will be used to dealing with Brits, Americans & Australians and will usually know the relevant words in English about one-ways & round trips, first or second class.  The ticket machines at every main station have a touch-screen with an English language facility.

The one thing that does help is knowing Italian place names:  Rome = Roma, Florence = Firenze, Venice = Venezia, Naples = Napoli, Milan = Milano, Turin = Torino, Genoa = Genova.

Food & drink on trains in Italy

Most high-speed trains have a cafe-bar, although most Intercity trains (and Italo trains) only have vending machines.  Feel free to bring your own food and drink with you, even a bottle of wine if you like, no rules against that on the rails!

You can take a bike with you on suburban, Regional & InterRegional trains if you buy a bike ticket costing about €4.  You can also pay to reserve a bike space on most Intercity trains .  However, on high-speed trains such as Frecciarossas you need to put your bike in a zip-up bike bag, front wheel & pedals removed and handlebars turned, see the bikes by train page .

Dogs & pets

Go to www.trenitalia.com and search under Services for Transport of pets .  You can take pets on many trains, but the rules vary slightly by type of train.  Very small dogs, cats & other pets in containers no bigger than 70cm x 30cm x 50cm are carried free on almost all trains & classes.  Larger dogs on a lead & muzzled are allowed on almost all trains but must have a ticket bought for them at 50% of the adult 2nd class fare (whatever class the owner is using) and they are not permitted in Executive or Premium classes on Frecciarossa trains, or in catering cars.  You can take a dog in sleepers or couchettes only if your party occupies the whole compartment.  Guide dogs are always free.

First class lounges at Italian stations

Executive class passengers & holders of Trenitalia's frequent traveller card can use the FrecciaClub lounges at stations in major cities.

Club class passengers on Italo , can use the Club Italo lounge at major city stations.  Prima class passengers can also use the lounge if they pay a €12 add-on when booking - though this may not be offered at busy times or with the cheapest tickets.

A train planner app for your phone

Railplanner is a free offline train timetable app that you can download onto your phone to check train times, station departures & train calling points on the move without the need to be on WiFi or to use mobile data .  It's blisteringly quick and covers not just Italy but most of Europe.  It highlights the reservation-required high-speed & InterCity trains in red and the no-reservation-required regional trains in green.  It's created with Eurail & Interrail passholders in mind, but is useful for anyone. Download for iPhone or Android at www.eurail.com/en/plan-your-trip/rail-planner-app - please let me know if the link stops working.

Are the trains running on time?

You can check real-time arrivals and departures at any Trenitalia station or the running of any train by train number at www.viaggiatreno.it .  Most regional trains run more or less on time, and so do most high-speed long-distance trains, with perhaps a 10 or 20 minute delay here and there.  However, make allowances for a typical 30 to 90 minute delay when catching the overnight sleeper trains to/from Sicily, for example.

Choosing your seat

Trenitalia.com , Italiarail.com & Thetrainline.com allow you to choose your seats from a seat map on Frecciarossa , Frecciargento , Frecciabianca and Intercity trains within Italy.

It's pretty self-explanatory, but as I'm often asked, yes, the grey bars are tables, and no, you can't tell which way seats face.  Indeed, most Naples-Rome-Venice and Naples-Rome-Milan trains change direction at both Rome Termini and Florence SMN station , both of which are dead-end terminus stations.

For a couple in 1st class I recommend a face-to-face table for two.

Luggage on trains in Italy

Luggage is no real problem on Italian trains, and it makes no real difference whether you go 1st or 2nd class, there's always room for bags.  You don't check your bags in and there is no baggage car.  You simply take whatever you like into the train with you, and stick your bags on the racks above your head or on the big luggage racks at the end of each car or between the seat backs.  On regional trains, it just goes on the floor next to you if there aren't any racks.

There are no baggage fees or weight limits to worry about, for most practical purposes if you can carry it you can bring it.  It's so simple, it hardly needs explaining, yet overseas visitors chase their tails worrying about it.  Don't over-think it, but don't travel with more than you really need.  Anything up to backpack-sized fits on the racks above your head, larger items such as bulky suitcases go on the racks at the end of the car, in the seating area, or between the seat backs.

Security is not a major problem, your bags full of clothing are no more likely to be stolen than airline checked baggage.  There's no need to chain your bag to the rack, any more than you'd chain you bags to the luggage bin on a plane.  Although I like to use a rack which I can see from my seat and I always keep cameras, passports and so on in my daypack at my seat.  But I thought that was obvious?

Porters are pretty much a thing of the past along with butlers, valets and ladies' maids.  However, Milan Centrale , Milan Porta Garibaldi , Venice Santa Lucia , Rome Termini , Florence SMN , Turin Porta Nuova are all termini with level access to and between all trains.  You can just pull your bag on its wheels from street or taxi rank across the station concourse right up to the train door, lift it two steps up into the train, and wheel it to a convenient rack or space between the seats next to your seat.  If you're elderly or pregnant, another passenger will almost always help you get your bags the two short steps into the train.

Luggage storage at stations

All main Italian stations including Turin Porta Nuova , Milan Centrale , Verona Porta Nuova , Venice Santa Lucia , Florence SMN , Rome Stazione Termini & Naples Centrale have left-luggage facilities, either lockers or a staffed facility.  Information on left-luggage prices & opening times .

Which station in which city?

Roma Termini is the main station in Rome, in the city centre walking distance from all the sights, see the Roma Termini station guide .

Roma Ostiense and Roma Tiburtina are on the outskirts of the city, you'll need a local train or taxi (around €15) into the city centre.  The Vatican has its own suburban station, Roma San Pietro, but it’s easy to reach St Peter’s from the Stazione Termini by bus or taxi.

Venezia Santa Lucia is the main station in Venice, in the city of Venice itself on the banks of the Grand Canal, 15-25 minutes walk from the Rialto Bridge & St Mark's Square.  See the Venice Santa Lucia station guide .

Venezia Mestre is on the mainland in an industrial area outside Venice itself, always book to Venice Santa Lucia unless you have a hotel in Mestre.

Firenze Santa Maria Novella is the main station in Florence, often abbreviated to SMN, in the city centre easy walking distance from all the sights.  See the Florence SMN station guide .  A few trains use Campo Marte or Rifredi stations outside the city centre, linked to SMN by frequent local trains.

Milano Centrale is the main station in Milan, a magnificent terminus in the city centre, served by most mainline & international trains.  It's a major Milan attraction in its own right, see if you can spot Mussolini .  See the Milan Centrale station guide .

Milan Porta Garibaldi is rather less magnificent, but still central, used by the French Railways TGVs to Paris and by some Trenitalia trains.  It's a 25 minute walk, 5 minute metro ride or 8 minute taxi ride from Centrale.

Some Malpensa airport trains arrive at Milan Cadorna, a small local terminus also located in the city centre, other Malpensa airport trains run to Milan Porta Garibaldi and Milan Centrale .  Milan Lambrate is much less central, and Milan Rogoredo is 5 km from the city centre.

Torino Porta Nuova is the main station, a large and historic terminus, see the Turin stations guide .

However, trains to & from Paris use Turin's other main station, Turin Porta Susa , and most trains to or from Rome, Milan or Venice call at Porta Susa before or after Porta Nuova .  Both stations are in Turin's city centre, walking distance from all the sights.

In Siena, the station is at the foot of the hill and used to be a steep trek up to the old town.  However, there's now a series of modern escalators and moving walkways that ferry you almost painlessly to the top of the hill, from where it's just a minute or two's walk to the Porta Camollia at the entrance to the old town.  From the Porta Camollia it's a pleasant 15 minute stroll to the famous Piazza del Campo.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Map of Pisa showing tower & railway stations .  Many people do Pisa as a day trip from Florence, using the frequent local trains.  Pisa Centrale is 2km from the Tower, a 30 minute walk, but if you take a train to Pisa S. Rossore station it's only a 5-10 minute walk to the Tower.  Some trains from Florence go direct to Pisa S. Rossore, 1 stop beyond Pisa Centrale, others require a change at Pisa Centrale.  Check train times using www.trenitalia.com or www.italiarail.com .

How to travel to Sicily

The train is a wonderful way to reach Sicily, an experience in itself.

There are two daytime InterCity trains from Rome & Naples to Palermo, Catania, Siracuse and time-effective overnight sleeper trains from Milan, Rome & Naples direct to Palermo, Catania & Siracuse.  See the timetable & information on the Trains to Sicily page .

If you use the daytime trains, bring a picnic and bottle of wine (as there's no catering car) and enjoy the ride, much of it along the Italian coast just a stone's throw from the sea towards the toe of Italy. 

All these trains are shunted onto a ferry at Villa san Giovanni for the short crossing of the Straits of Messina to Sicily.  It's the last remaining place in Europe where passenger trains go onto a ferry, a unique experience, watch the video .   Once the train is secured in the ship's hold, steps are placed next to the train doors, and you can either remain on board the train or get off and walk upstairs to the deck to take some sea air, returning to the train as the ferry docks on the other side.  Highly recommended!  You can book all of these trains to Sicily as shown here .

Or use an overnight ferry from Naples :  You can sail from Naples to Palermo by comfortable overnight ferry, with a  or shared cabin with en suite shower & toilet, and there are restaurants and bars for an enjoyable evening on board.  Ferries typically sail every day at around 20:00 and arrive around 06:30 in both directions.  See www.tirrenia.it & www.snav.it for times, dates, fares & online booking.

How to reach Herculaneum, Pompeii & Sorrento

Naples to Herculaneum, Pompeii & Sorrento by Circumvesuviana train

The railway from Naples to Herculaneum, Pompeii & Sorrento isn't run by Trenitalia, it's the privately-run Circumvesuviana Railway, www.eavsrl.it .  That's why you can't find trains to Sorrento on trenitalia.com or italiarail.com.  Map of Naples showing stations .

Simply buy a mainline ticket from Venice, Florence, Rome or wherever to Naples Centrale at www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com .  On arrival at Naples Centrale, follow the signs to Circumvesuviana , these will take you downstairs to the Circumvesuviana station.

The Circumvesuviana station has its own ticket office, either buy a ticket to Ercolano, Pompeii Scavi or Sorrento there or use the ticket gate that allows you to touch in with a contactless bank card.  Go through the automatic ticket gates onto the platform and hop on the next train.

Trains run to Herculaneum (Ercolano), Pompeii and Sorrento every 30 minutes throughout the day, no reservation is necessary or possible.  Outside the weekday rush hours the trains are not crowded, there are plenty of seats and it's very easy to use.  Luggage goes on the racks or just on the floor, no problem.  This handy video shows you what to expect .

Naples to Pompeii costs around €3.20 one-way, journey around 40 minutes. 

Naples to Sorrento costs around €4.50 one-way, journey 55-65 minutes.

Naples to Sorrento by ferry

You can also travel from Naples Beverello ferry terminal to Sorrento by fast ferry with around 5 departures a day, journey time 45 minutes, fare around €13, bags €2.10, see www.alilauro.it .  You can buy online or just buy at the ferry terminal on the day.

To the top of Vesuvius

To visit the summit of Vesuvius, two morning buses run from Naples or a more regular bus service runs from Pompeii, both run by EAVBUS, see www.eavbus.it (Italian only) or (more usefully) www.unicocampania.it , click English top right and look for 'Vesuvio Fares' under 'Tourist Info'.

Day trip to Pompeii?   It's easy to arrange a trip to Pompeii yourself by train, see the guide here .

How to reach Capri

Buy a mainline ticket from Venice, Florence, Rome or wherever to Naples Centrale at www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com . 

The island of Capri is just off Sorrento.  You have two options:  You can take a direct ferry from Naples to Capri, journey time around 45 minutes, fare €20.10, or you can take the Circumvesuviana Railway to Sorrento (55-65 minutes) then a shorter ferry crossing to Capri (around 25 minutes, fare €18.10).

If you choose the ferry from Naples, take a taxi (5-10 minutes) or walk (about 25 minutes) from Naples Centrale to Naples Beverello ferry quay.  Fast ferries taking just 45 minutes link Naples Berevello with Capri every hour or two between 07:00 & 18:00, see either www.snav.it or Omio.com for times & fares.  The ferry fare is about €20.10 plus a euro or two per item of large luggage.  You don't need to pre-book the ferry, just turn up, buy a ticket and hop on.  Map of Naples showing station & ferry terminals .

If you choose to take the local Circumvesuviana Railway to Sorrento, there are many ferries to Capri, no pre-booking necessary.  Just be aware that it's a longish steep walk from Sorrento Circumvesuviana station down the hill to the ferry terminal.

Ferries from both Naples & Sorrento arrive at Capri's busy Marina Grande, there's a funicular railway up the steep hillside to Capri town itself. Bring plenty of money to Capri, even a small beer costs over €7!

How to reach Ischia

Ferries link Naples with Porto Ischia, see either www.caremar.it (sailings every hour or two, crossing time 45 minutes fast ferry or 90 mins conventional ferry) or www.alilauro.it .

How to reach Amalfi, Positano, Praiano

Option 1, by bus from Salerno

There's no railway to these towns on the famous Amalfi Coast, but buses run from Salerno to Amalfi.  So buy a train ticket for one of the many high-speed trains from Milan, Florence and Rome direct to Salerno, then hop on a bus to Amalfi.  This Salerno bus option is the quickest way to Amalfi.

Buses link Salerno & Amalfi every hour or better between 06:00 & 22:30 on Mondays-Saturdays, slightly less frequently on Sundays, journey time 1h15, fare around €2.20 one-way, you buy a ticket at the tobacconists shop inside Salerno station.  The buses are operated by SITA, to check bus times see www.sitasudtrasporti.it (in Italian only, click 'Orari' then 'Campania').  To check fares, you'll need to use public transport site www.unicocampania.it , click English top right then 'Fares & Tickets'.

Option 2, by ferry from Salerno

Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Salerno to Amalfi or Positano.  See www.coopsantandrea.com for a timetable of small coastal ferries from Salerno (Concordia dock, 800m from Salerno railway station) to Amalfi and Positano.  At the time of writing, they had departures from Salerno at 08:40, 09:40, 10:40, 11:40, 14:10 and 15:30, journey time to Amalfi just 35 minutes, but check their website for current timings.  This is a good option in summer when the narrow coast road is clogged with traffic.

Option 3, by bus from Sorrento

You can also buy a train ticket to Naples, hop on the Circumvesuviana Railway to Sorrento as shown above then take a bus to Positano, Praiano & Amalfi.  For buses linking Sorrento with Positano, Praiano & Amalfi, see www.sitasudtrasporti.it (in Italian only, click 'Orari' then 'Campania').  Sorrento-Amalfi takes 1 hour 40 minutes, buses run hourly or at certain times half-hourly 06:30 to 22:00, and the fare is around €2.90.  The journey along the coast road is dramatic, the bus hugging the cliff and it rear end swinging out precariously at every hairpin bend!

Option 4, a private transfer from Naples to Praiano, Positano or Amalfi hotels

If cost is no object, a private car transfer from Naples Centrale railway station to Positano or Praiano costs around €95 one-way for up to 3 people, or around €110 to Amalfi.  Try www.amalfishuttle.com or www.positanoshuttle.com (same people - click 'transfer' at the top).  I have not had any reports about them yet, so feedback would be appreciated.  They will also do transfers from Sorrento Circumvesuviana station, which reduces the cost.

How to reach Elba

Travel by train to Piombino Marittima.  Moby Lines ( www.mobylines.com ) sail every hour or so from Piombino to Portoferraio on Elba, crossing time 1 hour, foot passengers €7 one-way.

How to reach Lake Como

Como San Giovanni is the mainline station for Como, it's on the Zurich-Milan main line and linked to Milan Centrale by frequent regional train.  Check times as above .

Lecco, Varenna & Bellanoare on the eastern side of Lake Como, there is a station at Lecco & Varenna-Esino (for the ferry to Bellagio) and Bellano on the Trenord local line linking Milan Centrale with Tirano (near the Swiss border, for the fabulous narrow-gauge Bernina route to Chur & Zurich).  Check times as above

How to reach Lake Garda

There are two main stations for Lake Garda, Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione or Peschiera del Garda , both on the Milan-Verona-Venice main line.  As well as regional trains, some Milan-Verona-Venice Frecciarossas call at Peschiera or Desenzano.

Alternatively, take a train to Verona Porta Nuova .  Buses run frequently times an hour from outside the station to the eastern shores of Lake Garda including Lazise, Bardonlino & Garda, see the bus company website www.atv.verona.it .

How to reach San Marino

San Marino has no rail station, but can easily be reached by bus from Rimini.  Buses leave from outside Rimini railway station every hour or so between 08:10 and 19:25 in winter, between 06:45 and 20:30 in summer, less frequently on winter Sundays, journey time 50 minutes, fare around €5.00 one-way.  You can check bus times and fares at the bus company website, www.bonellibus.it .

How to reach Sardinia

Ferries to Sardinia

Ferries sail from Civitavecchia, Livorno, Naples & Palermo to various ports on Sardinia including Olbia & Golfo Aranci in the north and Cagliariin the south.  Operators include Tirrenia, Grimaldi Lines, Corsica-Sardinia Ferries, use Direct Ferries to check and book all ferry routes & operators .

The shortest ferry crossing is Civitavecchia (just north of Rome) to Olbia where the daily daytime ferry takes 5h30, and an overnight ferry with cabins takes 7h.  A daily ferry with cabins links Naples with Caligari overnight.

Trains on Sardinia

Regional trains run by a division of Trenitalia link the major centres and ports:  Golfo Aranci, Olbia, Sassari, Porto Torres, Oristano, Cagliari.  You can check train times at www.trenitalia.com although as trains are classed as regional you may as well just buy tickets at the station on the day.

In addition to the main Trenitalia routes, tourist services called the Little Green Trains run on two or three very rural routes, see www.treninoverde.com (in Italian only, use Google Chrome translation feature).  These trains are run by transport authority ARST, a company formed by merging the urban transport authority with Sardinian Railways.

Airport train connections

Milan malpensa airport.

There are regional trains from Milan Malpensa airport to Milan Centrale every 30 minutes, journey time 52 minutes, fare around €12, no reservation necessary or possible, just buy a ticket at the station and hop on the next train.

Change at Milan Centrale for high-speed Frecciarossa & Frecciabianca trains to Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples or anywhere else in Italy.  You can check times & fares at www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com .  Reservation is required for Italian long-distance & high-speed trains, make sure you read the tips below.

Rome Fiumicino airport

Leonardo Express trains run from Rome Fiumicino airport to Rome Termini in the city centre every 30 minutes, journey time 32 minutes, fare around €14, no reservation necessary or possible, just buy a ticket at the station and hop on the next train.

Change at Rome Termini for high-speed Frecciarossa & Frecciargento trains to Venice, Florence, Naples or anywhere else in Italy - indeed, there's even a very occasional direct high-speed train from Rome Fiumicino Airport to Florence & Venice.   You can check times & fares at www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com - Reservation is required for Italian long-distance & high-speed trains, make sure you read the tips below.

Pisa airport

A people-mover (driverless train) shuttles passengers from Pisa airport to Pisa Centrale in the city centre in just 8 minutes.  Change at Pisa Centrale for hourly regional trains to Florence, and regular regional, Intercity or Frecciabianca trains to Rome, La Spezia and Monterosso in Cinque Terre.  You can check times & fares at www.trenitalia.com selecting Pisa fermata Aeroporto for Pisa airport station - but read the tips below.

Bologna airport

A people mover links Bologna Centrale with Bologna airport, for more info see the Bologna Centrale station guide .

Tips for buying plane-to-train tickets

The regional trains from Malpensa into Milan, from Fiumicino into Rome or from Pisa to Florence are no problem - you can turn up, buy a ticket at the station & hop on the next train.  No reservation is possible and no pre-booking necessary.  They cannot sell out.

But if you intend to catch an onward high-speed train from Milan or Rome to (let's say) Florence, Naples or Venice, remember that Italian high-speed trains require reservation and tickets are only valid on the specific train you book .

Cheap advance-purchase economy or super-economy tickets become worthless if your flight is late and you miss your train.  Even a flexible 'base' ticket becomes worthless one hour after departure if you can't get to a Trenitalia ticket counter to change the reservation to a later train.

So when arriving by air at Malpensa or Fiumicino and going to Florence, Naples, Venice and the like, you must choose one of two strategies:

Option 1, prioritise your budget:  The money-saving option is to buy a cheap Super-Economy fare and commit to a specific train in advance at www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com , but allowing a hefty 3-4 hours between flight arrival and train, to allow for any flight delays or long lines at immigration.

Option 2, prioritise your time:  The time-saving option is to just buy a ticket at the base price when you get to the airport station.  Then you can buy a ticket for the first train leaving after you have landed, collected your bags and are ready to go.  I know this goes against the grain for overseas visitors desperate to reserve every Starbucks cappuccino 6 months ahead, but unless it's Christmas Eve or the like, you'll always find places available even right before departure as there are so many seats on so many trains, this shouldn't be a concern.  You can check what the base fare is by running an enquiry on www.italiarail.com , clicking on a train then clicking the button marked '+ show flexible fares'.  The flexible fare is what you pay at the station on the day.

A compromise option?    You may find it cheaper to book cheap advance-purchase tickets on two trains - the train you should easily make if your flight is on time and a back-up train an hour or two later - than to pay the base fare for one train as in the time-saving option above.  Or book one train that you should normally easily be able to make, then just accept that if the plane is significantly late, you'll have to buy another ticket at the base fare.

How to use Trenitalia.com

The Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com is well worth getting to know.  It can sell:

Domestic Italian train tickets for any train journey within Italy, including couchettes & sleepers on overnight trains, at cheap prices with no booking fee.

International train tickets for most direct international trains starting in Italy heading for Paris, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Slovenia, including couchettes & sleepers on overnight trains, again with cheap tickets if you pre-book.  Remember that ticket collection for trains to Austria & Germany is only possible at stations in Italy!

Or use Italiarail.com instead.   You may find www.italiarail.com easier to use than trenitalia.com for sleeper trains, international trains and passholder reservations.  ItaliaRail is a US-based agency who connects directly to the Trenitalia ticketing system to sell the same trains at the same prices as Trenitalia, but in plain English using English-language place names.  They charge a booking fee of around €3.50, but this will be refunded if you send them an email at [email protected] after you book.

How to use www.trenitalia.com

Base is the fully-flexible fare, it's what you'd pay at the station on the day.  Refundable, only valid on the train booked but can be changed before departure, or at the station up to an hour after departure.  The base fare was originally one fixed-price for a given journey, but as from late 2017 the base fare for Frecciarossa & Frecciargento trains can vary slightly by day of the week or the popularity of each particular train.

Economy & Super-Economy are Trenitalia's cheap advance-purchase fares, only valid on the train booked, limited refunds & changes, limited availability, these are the fares you want for cheap travel, if you are certain what time train you want.

Cartafreccia Special fares can only be bought if you have a Cartafreccia card, which you probably haven't.

Ordinaria is the regular fare for regional trains.  It's fixed-price, you can buy at that price even on the day.  In principle this fare is good for any train, but you now need to select a specific departure and check in online for it before boarding, see more about how regional tickets now work .

Posto Doppio - Compart. Intero = books a whole private 2-bed sleeper for 2 people.  If there's 2 of you, this is what you select for both passengers.

Posto Doppio - Uomo = reserves a bed or beds in a shared 2-bed sleepers, male-only compartments.

Posto Doppio - Donna = reserves a bed or beds in a shared 2-bed sleepers, ladies-only compartments.

Posto Singolo = single-bed sleeper, books one private compartment for one person.

Cuccette C4 Comfort-Promiscuo = bunk in shared 4-berth Comfort couchettes, normal mixed sex compartment.

Cuccette C4 Comfort - Donna = bunk in shared 4-berth Comfort couchettes, in special ladies-only compartment.

Cuccette C4 Comfort-Compart. Intero = whole 4-berth Comfort couchette compartment (must have 4 passengers selected).

Compartimento 3 Letti - Uomo = bed in shared 3-bed sleeper, male-only compartment.

Compartimento 3 Letti - Donna = bed in shared 3-bed sleeper, ladies-only compartment.

Compartimento 3 Letti - Intero = 3-bed sleeper, whole compartment (need to have pre-selected 3 passengers).

To book 2 people together in a 2-bed sleeper you'd select Posto Doppio - Compart. Intero for both passengers.

On some international routes they use slightly different sleeper terminology:

Cabina A3 = 3-berth.  Cabina A2 = 2-berth.  Gran classe = deluxe with shower & toilet.

But again, Uomo means male, donna means female, intera means you want to book a whole compartment.

Other problems?   If you get stuck, you can contact Trenitalia's web team at [email protected]  to unfreeze frozen accounts and so forth.  They can handle emails in English.  Or you can call Trenitalia telesales on +11 39 06 6847 5475.

How to use Trenitalia ticket machines

It's easy to buy tickets at the station using the self-service ticket machines at all main Italian stations, as long as you have a credit card with a PIN (4-digit personal identification number).  They have an English language facility, and it's faster and easier than using the ticket office.  The machines are pretty self-explanatory, but to give you confidence and so you know what to expect, here's how to use them.

Incidentally, you'll sometimes find annoying types who hang around offering to 'help' foreigners, just be healthily suspicious of them and refuse all help, you don't need it as the machines are self-explanatory and you certainly don't need anyone near your wallet or pockets while you are distracted.  Italian stations are perfectly safe (I've spent literally hours hanging round them out of professional interest, without any problem whatsoever), but it pays to be streetwise!

To buy a ticket

Children under 4 go free with no ticket needed, children under 12 can use a child rate ticket on regional trains, children under 14 can use a child ticket on Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca, InterCity & InterCity Notte mainline trains.

Paying for a guidebook may seem an unnecessary expense, but it's only a fraction of what you spend on the whole trip.  If you have a decent guidebook, you see so much more and know so much more about what you're looking at.  I think the Lonely Planets or Rough Guides are the best ones out there for the independent traveller.

Click the images to buy at Amazon.co.uk

Or buy in the usa from amazon.com.

Alternatively, you can download just the chapters or areas you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website , from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

European Rail Timetable & maps

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map .  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

Recommended hotels

Here are my suggested hotels in key Italian cities, conveniently located for arrival by train and all with good or great reviews.  You are unlikely to be disappointed by any hotel scoring over 8.0 out of 10 on Booking.com .

There are lots of hotels near Milan Centrale , used by the Frecciarossa to/from Paris, the EuroCity trains to/from Switzerland and the majority of Italian domestic trains.

Affordable hotels & guesthouses with good or great reviews just outside the station include the Hotel Bristol , Hotel Bernina , 43 Station Hotel , B&B Hotel Milano Central Station , Guesthouse Teodora .

M ore upmarket hotels include HD8 Hotel , Glam Hotel , Made to Measure Business , Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson .

At the top end, the 5-star Excelsior Hotel Gallia is just across the road, you won't go wrong with that if your budget will stretch!

Near Milan Porta Garibaldi (used by the TGV to/from Paris), the AC Milano Hotel (a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel) is just 350m from the station and gets good reviews.  Also try the Holiday Inn Porta Garibaldi , which offers family rooms.

Hotels near Verona Porta Nuova station with good or great reviews include the Corte Merighi Rooms & Breakfast , Novo Hotel Rossi , Guesthouse Verona or (a little closer to the centre, but with fab reviews) the Relais Empire .

Location, location, location!   Some people try to save money by staying on the mainland at Mestre , hotels in Mestre being naturally cheaper.  It's an option, but don't do it if you don't have to.  You want to be a resident in Venice, not a serial day-tripper, so try to find an affordable place in the historic city of Venice itself.

Venice Santa Lucia station is walking distance from everywhere in central Venice including the Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco, so a hotel near the station which you can easily walk to with your bags makes a lot of sense.

Relatively inexpensive places with good reviews near Venice Santa Lucia include Albergo Marin , Hotel Marte , La Loggia della Luna , Albergo ai Tolentini .

An excellent upmarket choice just 5 minutes walk from Venice Santa Lucia is the small and intimate Hotel Canal Grande - I've stayed there myself.  Also try the Abazzia De Luxe .

For the least expensive places in central Venice check www.hostelworld.com .  Use the map view to see places in Venice itself.

Of course, if you have the financial backing for a water taxi, then fine, stay near San Marco or wherever you like.  My son nagged me continually until I caved in and splurged €70 on a water taxi from Santa Lucia station to St Marks.  I have to say that it was the best thing I have ever done in Venice, and that includes a gondola ride!

If you do decide to stay in Mestre to save money and travel in & out of Venice by train every day, try the Hotel Cris which has great reviews 200m from Venezia Mestre station , and the Best Western Plus Hotel Bologna .

In Florence

For something fancy, try the Hotel Santa Maria Novella with a 9/10 review score and rooftop terrace overlooking the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella.  It's a mere 5-minute 400m walk from Florence Santa Maria Novella station .

For something more affordable but also an easy walk from the station, try the Hotel Art Atelier .

Other hotels nearby with good reviews include C-hotels Club , 7Florence B&B , Hotel Lombardia .

There are many hotels near Rome Termini .  However, an affordable top choice with a 9/10 review rating is the Hotel Diocleziano , a 5-minute 400m walk from Roma Termini's main entrance, set in a 19th century building next to the Terme di Diocleziano ancient Roman baths.

An upmarket option near the station is Hotel Le Petit , an 8-minute 700m walk from the station, also with great reviews.

Other hotels near the station with good or great reviews include The Hive Hotel , Dream Station , The Republic Hotel .

There are lots of hotels near Naples Centrale .

The Starhotel Terminus is just across the road from the station, gets great reviews and has a roof terrace with views over the Bay of Naples.

The Hotel Potenza is only a little further into the Piazza Garibaldi, cheaper, also with good reviews.

The Unahotel Napoli is highly recommended, on Piazza Mancini overlooking Piazza Garibaldi, on the far side facing the station.

Also consider the Pit Stop Napoli Centrale .

Booking.com for hotels

I generally use Booking.com for hotels for 3 reasons:

(1) It keeps all my hotel bookings together in one place;

(2) I've come to trust Booking.com 's review scores;

(3) Booking.com usually offers a clearly-marked Free cancellation option.

Free cancellation means you can secure hotels risk-free even before trains open for booking, and if necessary change those bookings if your plans evolve.

If I'm only staying a night or two, I look for a hotel near the station to make arrival & departure easy.  You can enter the station name (e.g. Berlin Hbf ) as search location.  If staying longer, I look for a hotel close to the sights, entering the name of a city attraction as the search location, then using map view.

AirBnB:  Airbnb.com

www.airbnb.com began in 2008 when two designers who had space to share hosted three travellers looking for a place to stay.  AirBnB is a platform which connects hosts with guests, so you can now book a room in people's homes, or an apartment, flat or house which people want to rent out.  It can be nicer than a hostel, cheaper than many hotels.

Backpacker hostels:  Hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com offers online booking of dorm beds or cheap private rooms in backpacker hostels most European cities at rock-bottom prices.  It's one way to cut costs significantly compared to using a hotel every night.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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Man in Seat 61 Train Travel in Italy

Are you looking to experience the beauty of Italy through its impressive rail network? Look no further than the Man in Seat 61, your ultimate guide to train travel in Italy. The Man in Seat 61 is a comprehensive resource for travelers seeking to explore Italy by train, offering insider tips, recommended itineraries, and everything you need to know about navigating the Italian railway system.

When it comes to train travel in Italy, the Man in Seat 61 is your go-to source for all things related to this mode of transportation. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first Italian adventure, his guide provides invaluable insights into discovering the country’s scenic routes, efficiency, and convenience by rail.

With a wealth of information at your fingertips, it’s easy to see why the Man in Seat 61 has become synonymous with train travel in Italy.

From understanding how to book tickets and navigate seat reservations on Italian trains to comparing train travel with other transportation options, the Man in Seat 61 offers practical advice for making the most of your journey through Italy. As we delve into what makes train travel unique in Italy and explore top destinations like Rome, Florence, and Venice, get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure using the invaluable expertise provided by the Man in Seat 61.

Table of Contents

What Makes Train Travel in Italy Unique

When it comes to train travel in Italy, there is something truly special about the experience. From the picturesque landscapes to the efficiency and convenience of the railway system, Italy offers a unique and unforgettable way to explore the country. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, hopping on a train in Italy is an experience not to be missed.

Scenic Routes

One of the most remarkable aspects of train travel in Italy is the opportunity to witness breathtaking scenery along the way. From rolling vineyards to majestic mountains, traveling by train allows you to take in views that you simply can’t get from any other mode of transportation. Whether you’re journeying through Tuscany’s countryside or speeding past the dramatic coastline of the Cinque Terre, each trip offers its own postcard-worthy vistas that will leave you in awe.

Efficiency and Convenience

The Italian railway system is known for its efficiency and convenience, making it a popular choice for both locals and tourists alike. With an extensive network of routes connecting major cities and charming towns, getting around Italy by train is not only convenient but also timely. Trains typically run on schedule, allowing travelers to plan their trips with ease and avoid any unnecessary stress or delays.

Additionally, many train stations are located within walking distance of city centers, making it easy to access your final destination upon arrival. The combination of efficiency and convenience makes train travel in Italy a top choice for exploring this beautiful country.

The Man in Seat 61 Experience

For those following the advice of Man in Seat 61 for their train travel in Italy, they can expect nothing short of an extraordinary adventure. With expert guidance on routes, tickets, and insider tips, every journey becomes more than just mere transportation – it becomes an immersive experience filled with discovery and delight.

By following his recommendations for scenic routes and must-visit destinations via Italian trains, travelers can rest assured that they are embarking on an authentic Italian adventure that captures the essence of this enchanting country.

Navigating the Italian Railway System

When exploring Italy by train, there are a few tips and tricks that can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. Here are some must-know information for travelers looking to navigate the Italian railway system:

1. Use the Trenitalia website or app: The Trenitalia website and mobile app are invaluable tools for booking tickets, checking train schedules, and managing reservations. With an easy-to-use interface, travelers can quickly find the best routes and fares for their journey.

2. Validate your ticket: It’s important to remember that most train tickets in Italy need to be validated before boarding the train. Look for the yellow validation machines at the station and insert your ticket to stamp it with the date and time of travel.

3. Consider purchasing a rail pass: For those planning to take multiple train journeys within Italy, a rail pass can offer great value and flexibility. The Italy Rail Pass allows unlimited travel on the national rail network for a set number of days within a certain period.

4. Be mindful of pickpockets: As with any form of public transportation, it’s essential to stay vigilant and keep an eye on your belongings while traveling on Italian trains. Keep your valuables secure and be cautious of crowded areas.

5. Familiarize yourself with different train types: Italy has various types of trains, including high-speed trains (Frecciarossa), regional trains (Regionale), and intercity trains (Intercity). Each type offers different levels of comfort, speed, and amenities, so be sure to choose the one that best suits your travel needs.

By following these tips and tricks, travelers can have a seamless experience when navigating the Italian railway system – whether it’s for a short hop between cities or an epic cross-country adventure recommended by Man in Seat 61 himself.

Top Destinations to Visit by Train in Italy

Italy is a country that boasts an extensive and efficient railway system, making it an ideal destination for train travel enthusiasts. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or new to the world of train adventures, Italy offers some of the most picturesque and historic routes in the world. From the bustling city of Rome to the art-filled streets of Florence and the romantic canals of Venice, there are numerous destinations waiting to be explored by train.

Rome: The Eternal City

Rome, known as “The Eternal City,” is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Italy. With its rich history, iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum and Vatican City, and vibrant culture, Rome offers an unforgettable experience for visitors. Traveling from one attraction to another is made easy with Rome’s well-connected railway system, allowing visitors to explore this historic city with ease.

Florence: The Cradle of the Renaissance

Florence is often referred to as “The Cradle of the Renaissance” due to its abundance of art and architectural treasures. Visitors can take a scenic train ride from Rome to Florence, passing through picturesque countryside and rolling hills before arriving in this cultural mecca. Once in Florence, travelers can immerse themselves in the art scene by visiting renowned museums such as the Uffizi Gallery and admiring masterpieces by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.

Venice: The City of Canals

Venice is a city unlike any other, with its unique network of canals and historic architecture. Travelers can hop on a train from Florence to Venice and enjoy a leisurely ride through the Italian landscape before reaching this enchanting city. Upon arrival, visitors can explore iconic landmarks such as St. Mark’s Square, Rialto Bridge, and take a romantic gondola ride through the charming waterways.

With its convenient rail connections between these top destinations, Italy offers an unparalleled experience for train travelers seeking to explore its diverse cities while enjoying breathtaking scenic views along the way. Whether you’re interested in history, art, or simply soaking up the beauty of Italy’s landscapes from your window seat, embarking on a journey through Italy by train is sure to be an unforgettable experience for every man in seat 61 seeking adventure.

The Man in Seat 61 Recommended Itinerary for Train Travel in Italy

Italy is a country that offers a wide variety of landscapes and cities to explore by train, making it an ideal destination for travelers who appreciate the convenience and efficiency of train travel. The Man in Seat 61, also known as Mark Smith, has put together the ultimate recommended itinerary for train travel in Italy.

With his expertise and passion for rail travel, he has highlighted some of the best routes and destinations that showcase the beauty and charm of Italy.

One of the most popular routes recommended by Man in Seat 61 is the journey from Rome to Florence. This scenic route takes travelers through the picturesque Tuscan countryside, with rolling hills and vineyards passing by outside the train window. In Florence, visitors can marvel at iconic landmarks such as the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, all easily accessible from the train station.

Another must-visit destination on the Man in Seat 61 itinerary is Venice. Traveling by train to Venice allows passengers to experience the unique sensation of arriving at this enchanting city built on water. As travelers step off the train at Santa Lucia station, they are immediately immersed in the bustling streets and scenic canals that make Venice a truly one-of-a-kind destination.

The Italian railway system offers efficient connections between these top destinations, allowing travelers to seamlessly navigate from one city to another without the hassle of dealing with traffic or parking. Following Man in Seat 61’s recommended itinerary ensures that travelers will have a memorable and enjoyable train travel experience in Italy.

How to Book Tickets and Understand Seat Reservations on Italian Trains

Italy’s extensive and efficient railway system makes it an ideal country to explore by train, and understanding how to book tickets and navigate seat reservations is crucial for a smooth travel experience. When booking tickets for Italian trains, it’s important to plan ahead, especially during peak tourist seasons when trains can fill up quickly. The national railway company, Trenitalia, offers online ticket purchases through its website and mobile app, allowing travelers to easily secure their seats in advance.

Understanding seat reservations on Italian trains is essential, as many high-speed and long-distance trains require them. When booking tickets, travelers will have the option to select specific seats or opt for open seating if available. It’s important to know that seat reservations are typically not required for regional trains, but they can be a good idea during busy periods to guarantee a spot.

For international travelers using Italy’s trains, it’s beneficial to familiarize themselves with the various ticket classes offered, including standard class (second class), premium class (first class), business class, and even sleeper cabins on overnight routes. Each class provides different levels of comfort and amenities, so choosing the right one for your journey is essential for an enjoyable trip.

Insider Tips for Making the Most of Your Man in Seat 61 Train Travel Experience in Italy

When traveling in Italy by train, it’s important to make the most of your experience. Here are some insider tips to help you navigate the Italian railway system and ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey with Man in Seat 61:

1. Pack Light: Italian trains can be crowded during peak travel times, so it’s best to pack light and only bring essentials. This will not only make it easier to move around the train and stow your luggage, but it will also save you from lugging heavy bags through bustling train stations.

2. Be Prepared for Security Checks: When traveling on Italian trains, especially high-speed services, be prepared for security checks at the station. Keep your ID and ticket handy, as well as any required documentation for international travel. Arriving at the station with plenty of time before your departure will ensure a stress-free experience.

3. Embrace Local Culture: Train travel in Italy provides a great opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture. Strike up conversations with fellow passengers or take the time to appreciate the stunning landscapes outside your window. Man in Seat 61 recommends embracing the Italian way of life and enjoying every moment of your journey.

Comparing Train Travel in Italy With Other Modes of Transportation

In conclusion, it is clear that train travel in Italy offers a truly unique and spectacular way to explore this beautiful country. The Man in Seat 61 has provided invaluable insight into the efficiency, convenience, and scenic beauty of traveling by train in Italy. From the bustling streets of Rome to the romantic canals of Venice, the Italian railway system allows travelers to easily navigate between top destinations while enjoying breathtaking views along the way.

The Man in Seat 61’s recommended itinerary for train travel in Italy serves as a helpful guide for those looking to make the most out of their trip. By following his expert tips and insider information, travelers can ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience on Italian trains. From understanding seat reservations to booking tickets and exploring top destinations, the Man in Seat 61 has curated a comprehensive resource for anyone looking to embark on a train journey through Italy.

Furthermore, it is evident that when comparing train travel with other modes of transportation in Italy, the train reigns supreme. Not only does it offer a comfortable and efficient way to get around, but it also provides an unparalleled opportunity to immerse oneself in the breathtaking landscapes and rich culture of Italy.

Thanks to the expertise of the Man in Seat 61, navigating the Italian railway system becomes an enriching experience that enhances any traveler’s journey through this mesmerizing country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do seniors get a discount on italian trains.

Yes, seniors aged 60 or older are eligible for a discount on Italian trains. They can save up to 40% off the regular fare by purchasing a special ticket called the “Carta d’Argento” or Silver Card.

Do You Have to Sit in Your Assigned Seat on a Train in Italy?

Yes, it is generally required to sit in your assigned seat on a train in Italy. This is especially true for high-speed trains and long-distance routes. Failure to do so may result in fines or penalties.

Are Trains in Italy Wheelchair Accessible?

Most trains in Italy are wheelchair accessible, with designated spaces for wheelchair users and their companions. Many stations also have elevators, ramps, and other facilities to assist passengers with disabilities. However, it is advisable to check with the specific train service beforehand to confirm accessibility options for a particular journey.

I’m a passionate traveler, writer, and Italophile. My fascination with Italy’s history, art, and culture has led me on countless adventures across the Italian landscape. Through “I Live Italy,” I share my love for this extraordinary country and aims to inspire others to explore its boundless beauty.

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Interview with the Man in Seat 61 – Travelling to Italy by Train

“It’s not just about the destination… it’s about the climb as well as the summit.”

We sat down with some of our Amici guests and Mark Smith, the Man in Seat 61 , to chat about travelling to Italy by train and how this can enhance your travelling experience – travelling through scenic routes, the opportunity to explore beautiful towns and cities on your way to your final destination, and the joy of the journey itself.

Mark Smith, the Man in Seat 61, spent his working life working with British Rail, two major UK train companies and the Department of Transport – so it’s fair to say he knows a lot about train travel! He’s travelled the world by train and is passionate about showing people just how easy and enjoyable it is to travel by train to places such as Italy and Spain from the UK. With a number of guests looking to start a Flavours holiday with a train journey to Italy, what better way to begin planning than chatting to an expert train traveller!

Watch the video below to hear the best recommendations for planning and enjoying your journey. We’ve also compiled Mark’s top tips below and listed the websites he mentions, so you can start planning your train holiday to Italy now!

Italy by train – top tips from Mark Smith, the Man in Seat 61

• Book in advance for cheaper fares – rail tickets are usually available to book around 12 weeks in advance, depending on the company.
• Book separate journeys so you can select your changeover time – rather than having a limited time to simply swap trains, take a few hours to have lunch in the new city before moving on! As the Man in Seat 61 says, you can have breakfast in London, lunch in Paris, and dinner in Italy!
• If you just want to keep travelling on, make sure your changeover time is at least 45 minutes between journeys, just in case of delays.
• The Rail Team is an alliance between many European rail companies, including the Eurostar and the French high-speed trains, which means that if there are delays on one part of your journey you will be rebooked on a later train at no extra cost.
• Sometimes slower is better – choose the slower routes for a more scenic journey so you can enjoy the process of travelling.

Links to the websites mentioned in the interview

• https://www.thetrainline.com
• https://www.raileurope.co.uk
• https://www.trenitalia.com/
• https://oui.sncf
• https://www.eurostar.com/uk-en
• https://www.railteam.eu/en/

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A child is between the ages of 4 and 11 years.

Many trains in Italy and beyond offer a discounted fare between 30% & 50% off the Adult fare for Children.

The child offer is now extended to children ages 4 to 14 years when traveling on high-speed Frecciarossa, Frecciabianca, Frecciargento, InterCity, InterCityNotte, EuroCity, and Thello trains. Your child will be assigned his/her own seat and children must be accompanied by an Adult when traveling on this offer.

Regional trains will still offer discounted fares for children ages 4 to 11 years.

Infants & Children 3 & under travel for free and will share a seat with the adult companion.

This option is for customers that have already purchased a Eurail Pass or InterRail Pass and wish to reserve seats or sleeping berths. Learn more about rail passes.

Most high-speed and long-distance trains require seat reservations. The fare rules for each train indicate whether seat reservations are necessary.

Note: An ItaliaPass does not entitle customers to use of passholder fares.  Roundtrip tickets are not available using a Eurail Pass or InterRail Pass.

By clicking the "I ACCEPT" button below you acknowledge that passholder fares may only be used in combination with a valid Eurail Pass or Interrail Pass.

Save as much as 10-30% OFF rail Enjoy flexible ticket changes Amazing deals on tours, transfers, and more Dedicated travel coordinator (for the best service, book at least 2 weeks in advance)

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The Bernina Express

From Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy, the Bernina Express is a narrow-gauge train that climbs to one of the highest points on the European rail network, crossing the Landwasser viaduct, and the views are spectacular. In the depths of winter, the five-hour ride is like a trip to Narnia; in the height of summer, it’s more Sound of Music. The route is part of an alternative journey from Zurich to Milan. Save money by booking through German Railways ( bahn.de/en ). For example, a ticket from Singen to Tirano costs from €29.90 bought in advance , rather than €80 if bought in Switzerland

Belgrade to Bar

Opened in 1976 (though building started in the 1950s) the 296-mile journey from the Serbian capital to Bar, on the Adriatic coast in Montenegro, goes up and over awe-inspiring mountains and across the Mala Rijeka viaduct (pictured), once the highest railway bridge in the world. There’s a daytime and a sleeper train – you’ll still see the best bits if you get up early. One-way ticket around €20, with some special offers at €9.90. Buy tickets at the station; they’re not available online

Chicago to San Francisco

This epic two-night, two-day trip takes in many of the US’s huge landscapes: the flatlands of Nebraska, the Mississippi (crossed on a massive girder bridge), the Rockies, the rapids of the Colorado Canyons, the multi-coloured rocks of Utah and, in California, the pine trees and snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada. You go through the Donner pass where the Donner party of pioneers resorted to cannibalism in 19th century – but hopefully the dining car won’t run out so you won’t have to. Book well in advance and you could get a reclining seat for around $200, amtrak.com

The Northern Explorer

This 12-hour ride from Auckland to Wellington covers an amazing cross-section of New Zealand’s North Island, featuring rainforest, canyons, coastline and volcanoes, passing over incredible feats of engineering. There’s also an open-air viewing platform, great for taking photos. Around NZ$158 (£90), greatjourneysofnz.co.nz

Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

This 1,000-mile, two-night journey on the Reunification Express passes islands, stilted houses and stretches of rainforest. The best bit is the coastal stretch from Hue to Danang. It’s outside the tourist bubble and you’ll meet Vietnamese families. Book online at 12go.asia or baolau.com for single sleeper fares from around £29

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Riding the Rails With the Man in Seat 61

For train travelers, Mark Smith’s website is the go-to source for timetables, maps and booking details in more than 100 countries.

By Jackie Snow

Before the coronavirus pandemic caused major disruptions to travel worldwide, train travel found itself going through a bit of a renaissance as people reconsidered the carbon emissions squashed seating and increasing fees of flying. The man with a front-row seat to the rail resurgence is Mark Smith, the founder of the train travel website The Man in Seat 61 . His site has timetables, maps, reviews, booking details and everything else needed to plan train (and even some ferry) trips in more than 100 countries.

Mr. Smith started the site on a whim after buying a book on coding in 2001. He wanted a place to show how easy it was to take the train from Britain to locations across Europe and further abroad, and had noticed how hard it was to find information on how to do it.

“The travel industry is really set up to sell you flights, flights, car hires and more flights,” he said.

In 2007 he was able to quit his job with British Rail to run the site full-time. Today, The Man in Seat 61 gets up to a million visitors a month, with dedicated readers across the world sending in alerts when landslides, fuel shortages and other events disrupt train schedules.

What sparked your interest in trains?

Well, it’s an interest in travel. But trains and ships treat you like a human being. You get to see where you’re going, and the journey can be as exciting and interesting as the destination. Sometimes, in this world of air travel, we forget that.

How often are you on a train?

I have a young family, with kids ages 11 and 13, so I can’t get away all the time. But I try and get away as often as I can to do research trips when something really important changes. Last year I was on the brand-new Hong Kong-to-Beijing high-speed train . This year, I’ll be on the new Brussels-to-Vienna sleeping car . I enjoy the journeys, but it does become a bit of a work experience when I’m trying to get the necessary information. My Twitter may show me enjoying a nice glass of red in the seat, but it won’t show me running up and down the train, trying to get photographs and videos of each of the different types of carriage.

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What country has the best trains?

It’s a bit like drinking wine: You don’t have one favorite that you drink all the time, you like different sorts at different times. But certainly, Switzerland has to be up there. Partly because of scenery, and partly because it’s got such a fantastic network. Every train connects with a local train, connects with a bus, and it’s so easy to get around.

What is the country with the hardest trains to book for foreign travelers?

There is India, where just booking a train is a bit of a genuine Indian experience that you couldn’t have from home. It is very intense, busy, with crowded trains, but incredibly rewarding.

Are you seeing new interest from people wanting to minimize their carbon footprint?

Yes, absolutely. When I started back in 2001, if somebody said when they emailed me why they wanted to go by train, they would typically say they have a phobia of flying, or were medically restricted from flying, or particularly liked train travel. What people tell me now is they are fed up with the airport and airline experience, or should I say non-experience, and they want to cut their carbon footprint.

What is your favorite train trip?

It’s the Caledonian sleeper from London to Fort William in the West Highlands of Scotland. First of all, it takes me from where I used to work in central London, right to the West Highlands of Scotland, which are probably the most scenic part of the British Isles. Second, it’s a lovely train, a hotel on rails with private sleeping rooms and a lounge car. And lastly, the experience of waking up, putting the blind up and seeing deer bound away from the train is absolutely fantastic.

This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation.

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Review: Frecciarossa Business Class, Italy’s High-Speed Train

I recently returned from a long trip in Italy that spanned most of 2 weeks. Having the weekend to myself, and while there is countless to see in Italy, I wanted to visit somewhere different. I decided to spend my weekend in Trieste, in the northeast corner of Italy, and make a day trip into Slovenia. Here is a review of my time in beautiful Piran, Slovenia.

Frecciarossa Business Class from Torino to Trieste

After a week working in Torino, I headed to Trieste for the weekend. There was a direct train that worked well for me, and I would have the opportunity to try out another high-speed train. I’ve also taken high-speed trains in Spain and in Japan . The Frecciarossa (“Red Arrow”) trains are the fastest trains in the Italian system, with speeds up to 300kph (~186mph) in certain sections.  One of those areas is between Turin and Milan. I took a video, and while I don’t think we were going at full speed at this moment, we were still blowing past cars on the highway:

I could have flown between Torino and Trieste as well, but the options were slower than the train, and quite a bit more expensive. There are not any nonstop flights between the cities, and most connections were poor and in some cases overnight. A 5 hour train ride was much preferred. I decided to book this in business class for some more comfort and space. I bought my tickets about 2 weeks out, and the premium for this seat was minimal. It was about €85 for the ticket, maybe €15 more than an economy ticket.

General Information about Frecciarossa High-Speed Trains in Italy

The Frecciarossa trains have 4 classes of service, Executive, Business, Premium and Standard. Executive has 1-1 seating, and a cold meal included. Business has 1-2 seating and a light snack and the choice of coffee or prosecco. Premium and Standard share a 2-2 seating arrangement, but Premium passengers get the same snack as in Business.  More information on seating options on Frecciarossa trains are available at Seat 61 , an excellent site discussing train travel.

The Italian high-speed train routes are available on routes across much of Italy, such as the route I took from Torino to Trieste, but also north to south. See below for a map from the Trenitalia website:

There is free wifi available and power ports at each seat. The wifi portal has some streaming entertainment as well, but the selection is rather limited, especially in English. No problem, as I enjoyed my window view, and I caught up on work on my laptop.

Frecciarossa Business Class Seating

When I booked my ticket, there were quite a few seats open, and since I knew I’d be traveling alone, I opted for a business seat in the first train car, in the quiet section of the train (Business Area Silenzio). I had seat 14D for my journey, a single seat near the back of car 1, just behind the 8 seat Executive cabin. The seats are wide and covered in leather. I’d say it is comparable to a regional business class airplane seat, with good leg room. There is a footrest, and good recline, but it is more of a slide forward than leaning back.

There is a power port at each seat, although in this version of the train, it only fits the Italian plugs, and my generic European power adapter ( Schuko ) did not fit. I encountered some plug incompatibility in Italy, but in most cases, especially in hotels, the plugs were more universal, accepting my adapter.

Frecciarossa Business Class service

Soon after departure from Torino, a conductor checked my ticket, and made a notation in his tablet. Once we arrived in Milano, most of the other seats in my cabin changed over. When another conductor came through after that station, my ticket was not checked again. I appreciated using technology being efficient. I’m used to US domestic trains which often require various paper tickets on seats to denote how far each rider is traveling.

Soon after a conductor checked tickets, a trolley came through with a small paper bag of snacks. This included a bottle of water, some tasty breadstick type snacks, a piece of candy, and a wet wipe.  Finally there was an offer of coffee or prosecco. Given the evening departure, I happily accepted the bubbly. While this was a nice enough snack, I knew that I wanted a more substantial meal, so I brought my own food on the train for dinner. There is a cafe car with hot food, but I figured I could do better on my own.

Seemingly a fair number of passengers were commuting between Torino and Milano. We stopped at Milano Central for 15 minutes or so and most passengers in my cabin mostly exited. Then it mostly filled up with new travelers heading somewhere further east. There was also a second pass from the snack trolley, and another Prosecco.

Final Thoughts Frecciarossa Business Class

I’m admittedly a fan of high-speed rail. The Frecciarossa in Italy is a nice way to travel, especially in business class. For my needs, this is a much more efficient way for me to get across northern Italy than taking flights. I’d gladly take a train like this again, especially if timing is comparable to flights. Prices are certainly better, especially for the comfort of business class.

Have you taken the Frecciarossa?  What about other high-speed train travel in Europe or elsewhere?

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Brad is a frequent traveler, based in Milwaukee. He typically travels in around 200,000 miles per year, much of it for business, and often in economy. This blog focuses on experiences and tips from the perspective of a frequent business traveler trying to maximize value. In addition to frequent work trips, he uses miles and points for even more travel with his wife and young child.

Matador Original Series

The Most Scenic and Luxurious Train Rides in the World, According to the Man in Seat 61

W hen we imagine the future of travel, we likely picture robot concierges at hotels, contactless checkpoints at airports, and flying taxis. Train travel, however, probably isn’t top of mind. Traveling by train , especially in the US, feels more like a nod to the past loaded with novelty and nostalgia, but not necessarily efficiency, beauty, or luxury. That’s all changing.

Sure, trains are a classic example of the old cliche: “It’s about the journey, not the destination.” But they’re more than just a scenic alternative to airplanes. As travelers become increasingly conscious of their carbon footprint, train journeys remain the leading option for a more sustainable trip. The emergence of more sleeper trains in Europe , and the expanding US rail network, also points to a revival of train travel.

The state of train travel is so exciting, in fact, that some choose to make a living by riding the rails.

The Man in Seat 61 has turned train travel into his way of life. A former station manager for London’s Charing Cross, London Bridge, and Cannon Street stations, and various other jobs in the rail industry, he now travels the world by train and runs a popular blog detailing his journeys. His blog, The Man in Seat 61, aims to inspire people to forego the cold, uninspiring airport experience for a more scenic and sustainable trip. We spoke to the Man himself to get his insights on the best train rides in the world, and what the future of train travel looks like from his expert point of view.

Matador: So, why do you like trains so much?

Travel isn’t just about a destination, it’s about the journey. When you travel by train and ship you see where you’re going, you’re a participant in the country you’re visiting rather than a mere spectator. [The railway companies] treat you like a human being, with room to move and stretch out, sleep in a bed in your own room, eat in a restaurant.

Do you still fly, or do you stick to trains?

I don’t fly at all within Europe, or once I reach a long-haul destination. I fly long-haul if I have to, maybe every few years from the UK when visiting places such as Sri Lanka, Vietnam, or Indonesia.

What do you look for in a good train ride, and what separates a good experience from a bad experience?

Sometimes, a great journey is about the train itself, the comfort of the sleepers, dining facilities, and in some cases even lounges. Sometimes, it’s about the landscape and scenery through which you pass. Sometimes, it’s about the things that happen and people you meet along the way. And sometimes, even a superficially bad experience can be good, like travelling on a third-class slow train from Aswan to Luxor, delayed, hot, dirty and dusty with broken seats and windows. Talking with the locals and helping some school kids with their English homework is something I’ve never forgotten. What a ride!

The real enemy of travel isn’t the possibility of bad experiences, it’s the temptation to forego all and any experience because flying is superficially cheap and easy.

What’s the most scenic route you’ve ever traveled?

Tough one! How does one compare a seven-hour journey through the Swiss Alps on the wonderful narrow-gauge panoramic Bernina Express with the day-long ride through Serbia to the mountains of Montenegro on the spectacular Belgrade-Bar line? Or a 48-hour journey from Chicago to San Francisco on Amtrak’s California Zephyr, across the Nebraska flatlands, over the Mississippi, up into the Rockies, along those Colorado canyons, and into the Sierra Nevada via the infamous Donner Pass? There are so many train rides that are scenic in their own unique way.

What’s the most luxurious train you’ve ever been on?

I got engaged (without planning to, what can I say, that train weaved its very special magic) on board the Venice Simplon Orient Express from London to Venice. But that’s classic 1920s luxury, meaning washbasins in each compartment (there were no en suite toilets and showers in carriages built back then). So, my best, most luxurious train ride has to be South Africa’s superb Blue Train from Cape Town to Pretoria, with windows tinted with real gold to keep down the glare, and even complimentary Montecristo cigars in the bar car. It’s the only train on which I’ve ever had a bath (as opposed to shower) in my private bathroom. Surprisingly, at 50 mph on 3’6″ gauge track the water slopped about much less than you’d think.

Train travel for leisure trips is far more ubiquitous in Europe than in the US. Why do you think this is?

Back in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, America had modern diesels and gleaming stainless steel streamliners with vista-domes while we here in Europe were still building steam engines. What went wrong? The US became the land of the airliner and automobile, and rail was almost abandoned other than (by European standards) a skeleton network. But Amtrak still covers the whole country , and for visitors it’s a godsend. We can travel coast to coast at ground level seeing America up close and personal, without flying over it all and missing everything, or having to drive thousands of miles.

How do you envision sustainability impacting the future of train travel vs. flying?

I’ve seen a real change over the last few years leading up to the pandemic. I first started the blog in 2001, and back then, if someone told me why they were traveling by rail instead of flying from, say, London to Italy, they’d typically say they were afraid of flying, medically restricted from flying, or just knew they particularly liked trains. Now, they say two things in the same breath: They are fed up with the stress of airports and flights and they want to cut their carbon footprint. This has come from the grass roots, certainly not from train operators. It’s now been picked up by the media, and finally politicians are beginning to notice.

In Europe at least, people are starting to avoid flights and switch to rail for increasingly long distances. It’s even led to a resurgence in sleeper trains, where rail can provide a realistic alternative to a flight even for 500-700-mile trips. I expect this will continue. My message, of course, is that in taking a train instead of flying you’re not just doing the planet a favor, you’re doing yourself one!

What’s the best train ride you recommend everyone take at least once in their life?

If you live in the States, ride Amtrak’s California Zephyr between Chicago and San Francisco. Indeed, if you book ahead as little as $200 will get you coast to coast, one of the world’s greatest train trips and one of the world’s greatest travel bargains. Over the years I’ve crossed the US six times by rail, once by road, and this is the most scenic of all Amtrak’s trans-continental routes.

In Europe, ride the Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano. It’s the most scenic of all the Alpine rail routes, and with a train connection from Tirano to Milan it’s the scenic slow route to Italy, too.

When it comes to the future of train travel, what are you most excited about?

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Riding the Rails in Europe – The Oracle of Train Travel Reveals Seat61 Insights

When someone lists Chateau Musar as a preferred wine, I know we’ll get along. And so it turned out. When researching the state of the European train sector in relation to sustainable tourism , the Seat61 website kept surfacing no matter what I typed. Run by train guru, Mark Smith, the site has promoted train travel for over 20 years, and grown into the information source of choice for millions of travellers wishing to ride the rails through Europe and beyond. During a delightful chat with Mark, it became clear that Seat61 (named after Mark’s favourite seat on the Eurostar) is a true labour of love, which explains its raging success.

I’ve travelled through many parts of Europe by train, my earliest memories from the Paris to Nice TGV, and of course crisscrossing my home country, Sweden, where distances from the south to the north equal those of a multicountry journey across the continent. Nostalgia aside, train travel has seen a renaissance as of late, much of it because of the low carbon footprint compared to flying. Yet, challenges remain. High-speed infrastructure needs serious expansion to become a genuine alternative to airlines, prices can be prohibitive for multi-city travel, and the booking experience for cross-border journeys is less than stellar. Due to legislation in countries like France and Austria where short domestic flights face bans, the relative market share of train travel looks set to increase on certain routes, but from a climate standpoint, it’s the long-haul trips which need competition.

Although not his original intention, Mark has pushed sustainable travel in Europe to new heights and has the awards to prove it. Who is the man in seat 61, how did he achieve oracle status, and what will it take for rail to challenge planes for European travel dominance? Find out as we go for a ride in the world of trains.

Local Love on a Global Journey – Rediscovering Domestic Travel Post Pandemic

Beyond Opulence: How Luxury Travel Spurs Sustainable Tourism

Green Stays: The Power of Sustainable Hotel Certifications in Reshaping Hospitality

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Hi I am just trying to understand where to buy and not buy train tickets for europe travel.

I am looking at getting a pass from eurail, but just stumbbpled on www. seat61.com.

What is this web site ....can someone tell me if all is legite and the pros and cons of using them.

The Man In Seat 61 offers excellent independent advice on train travel in Europe, but ignore the links to RailEurope.

For travel in France, Spain and Italy, a pass is almost never worthwhile. In other countries, it may be. The only way you can be sure is to add up the cost of individual train journeys (using the train operators' sites, not RailEurope) and compare this with the cost of a pass plus seat reservations.

individual train journeys (using the train operators' sites, not RailEurope) Thanks for your replies!

But how do I figure out what is the individual train journey using the train operators' sites.

The countries I am interested in is:

London, Germany, France. Poland. Switzerland, Italy and Spain. I would always be leaving from Paris, since that is where my university residence is. I plan to do most of my travels between Thursday evenings and returning latest Monday evenings.

Thanks so much for your help!

The seat61 website will give you excellent information on how to read and use the individual websites. You have to actually go to the websites to cost out your travel. For your trip to London you should use the Eurostar website, and remember that the earlier you book the cheaper it will be. For travel within France, check the TGV site or the French railways site, the SNCF. I think you would need to check the TGV site for travel to Germany. I am not familiar with the other countries, although for travel within Poland (I was last there six years ago) I think you could buy your tickets once you are there.

http://www.eurostar.com

http://www.tgv-europe.com

http://www.sncf.com

I suggest you read the seat61 site carefully, get some information, look at prior threads in this forum, and come back with specific questions. There is no way out of doing the legwork.

For Spain go to

http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html

Ah, the likely foolishness of RailPasses - more if necessary - http://europetrainsguide.com/Advice/Rail-Passes/Rail-passes-%E2%80%93-to-buy-or-not-to-buy.html

Also for Spain see theman's guide - http://tiny.cc/mfoxt and possibly this - http://tiny.cc/da2av if problems.

It must always be noted that Eurostar does not accept any railpasses, so the cost of the Paris - London and back trip needs to be factored into the overall calculation.

If you walk up to the station 30 minutes before travel you face the possibility of paying an extraordinary amount of money. In France, Italy and Spain seat reservation is compulsory on almost all long distance trains. If the train is fully booked, you may be thwarted if you leave it to the last minute. The same applies to Eurostar especially for travel over weekends.

The SNCF website http://www.voyages-sncf.com allows reservations to be made to many international destinations including Barcelona, Madrid, many places in Switzerland, Germany etc.

As I assume you understand French stick to

http://www.voyages-sncf.com/

(i.e. not selecting there English - nor given a residence different from France)

If you're under 26 a carte 12-25 (EUR 49) will mostlikely pay for you. You should also not rule out trips to other locations in France while staying in Paris.

http://www.12-25-sncf.com/

> London, Germany, France. Poland. Switzerland, Italy and Spain.

London: http://www.eurostar.com

Poland is too far even for a long weekend trip by train.

http://www.voyages-sncf.com will sell you ticket to the more important destinations of the nearby countries. Than it will depend on the destination.

e.g. Berlin: a long weekend is just enough for the city and you can buy public transport day tickets for Berlin (EUR 6,30) on spot.

e.g. Munich: some nice day trips are possible. Best ticket for them is a Bayern Ticket Single (EUR 21,00). Can be bought again on spot. A day ticket covering all regional trains in Bavaria.

Generally: an Eurail Pass gives you full flexibility in Switzerland and Germany. Here you can really just hop on and hop off the trains as you like. In Spain and Italy the faster trains require compulsory seat reservations and/or surcharges for rail pass holders. However no limit of the number of seats allocated to rail pass holders like in France.

The topic of limited place number for pass holders had been discussed on this forum repeatedly - look for the posts of bver88

How much travelling in Europe do you plan on doing?

Id recommend doing a cost comparison Rail Pass V's Train Ticket.. ONE TIP you must adhere by is that if you decide on buying tickets, make sure to do it as early as possible. Tickets Prices go up high closer to any date

Speaking as someone who has booked an interrail ticket for use later this summer I think it's important to say that they aren't always uneconomical. I'll be travelling from Paris - Venice - Rome - Zermatt - Paris and having thoroughly researched all the options available, interrail won out as cheaper. I understand that a lot of circumstances may not have a similar result, and the difference in price isn't night and day, but it has worked for me on this trip. All the advice given by everyone on here is brilliant, I just thought it was a point worth making.

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