Train Travel in Italy

Train travel in Italy is inexpensive and effectively connects most cities. Tips for comfortable trip.

Italy is a rather small country, with many main towns dispersed over the territory. These characteristic of Italy make trains more efficient than planes, especially considering that a train station is generally located in the heart of the city, thus saving the traveler time consuming trips to airports.

Compared to most European countries, Italian train tickets are inexpensive, making this means of travel even more alluring. The main downside of train travel in Italy is that trains can be overcrowded and it might be difficult to find a seat. Here are a few tips to help you travel comfortably.

Types of Trains

Eurostar are the fastest and most comfortable class of trains, everyone’s favorite. They only connect major cities. The reservation is included in the ticket price, they offer air conditioning and a bar service. There isn’t a significant difference between first (prima) and second (seconda) class so, if a second class ticket is available, grab it and save the price difference.

Intercity Plus connect most cities, and have mandatory seat reservation included in the ticket price, they only stop in main stations, offer air conditioning and first and second class.

Intercity trains connect also minor cities, and link to the local trains and buses that reach even the smallest centers.

Interregionali and Diretti are the local trains, they stop at every station and tend to be crowded. If you must take one, a first class ticket and and reservation are advisable.

How to Buy a Ticket

Tickets can be bought at any train station, at the counter or with an easy to use automatic ticket seller.

They can also be bought online and by phone

Validate your Ticket

Before boarding your train don’t forget to validate your ticket in the slot of one of the orange little machines, the fines for forgetting to comply are getting stiffer. Tickets bought on line don’t need validation.

Boarding your Train

In the main hall of the train stations you’ll find a display that tells you on which track (binario) you’ll find your train. In the smaller stations a poster for the Departures (Partenze) and one for the Arrivals (Arrivi) will tell you the train schedule and your train track.

For your safety always use an under passage (sottopassaggio) to get to your track.

Find your Seat

If you have a reservation, check the railcar number on the ticket and look for it along the train, the number is generally written close to the wagon door. Board it and look for your seat number.

During your Trip

Always keep your wallet and documents with you: traveling by train is safe and easy but stations and trains are busy places, always use common sense!

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