Italy has a pretty well-developed transport system, especially its trains. Sure, it can’t quite compare to Japan or China, but the trains here are fast and comfortable, even if they do often arrive late. In this guide, I will break down all the types of trains, where to buy tickets, and what you need to keep in mind before your trip.
Major operators
Trenitalia
Trenitalia
The main carrier, a state-owned company. Their trains run across the entire country: from major metropolises to tiny villages. Trenitalia, in turn, is divided into regional companies, with each region having its own operator. For example, in Emilia-Romagna, it's Trenitalia TPER.
Trenord
Trenord
A regional operator serving exclusively the Lombardy region (Milan, Lake Como, Bergamo).
Italo
Italo
A private operator strictly for high-speed trains. A serious competitor to Trenitalia on major routes. It stands out with its stylish design and excellent service.
Types of Trains
Regionale/ Regionale veloce
Regionale/ Regionale veloce
The cheapest and slowest commuter trains with no reserved seating (just grab any free seat). The Regionale stops at every single station, while the Regionale Veloce only stops at major ones, getting you there faster.
Intercity
Intercity
Intercity trains. They are faster than commuter trains but slower than high-speed ones. The trains themselves are more comfortable: there are power outlets and reserved seats, so it is worth buying tickets in advance.
Intercity Notte
Intercity Notte
Night trains that mostly run long distances, connecting the north and south of the country (e.g., Milan and Naples, or Rome and Sicily). This is a great way to save on a night at a hotel and wake up in a new city. Inside, there are different classes: from standard seating (an option for the most resilient) to full sleeper cars and comfortable compartments.
High-Speed Trains:
High-Speed Trains:
Le frecce (Trenitalia)
Le frecce (Trenitalia)
- Frecciarossa: the fastest and most modern trains running between Italy's major cities.
- Frecciargento: slightly slower than the Frecciarossa (up to 250 km/h), they run on both high-speed and regular lines, connecting major cities with smaller regional centers.
- Frecciabianca: the "slowest" of the Le frecce (up to 200 km/h), running mostly on routes without high-speed tracks. They are practically phased out nowadays.
Italo
Italo
Bright red trains, with a design handled by people who used to work at Ferrari. They only operate along the main high-speed corridors, meaning between major cities. They are often cheaper than Frecciarossa, especially if you catch promo codes that the company regularly posts on its social media.
Where to buy tickets
- First and foremost, on the official websites and apps of Trenitalia, ItaloTreno, and Trenord. This is the most reliable option with no markups.
- You can buy tickets through aggregators like Omio and Trip.com.
- At the station: at ticket machines or classic ticket windows (Biglietteria). Machines are available at all stations, support English, and accept cards.
Before your trip
Before your trip
Avoiding strikes (Sciopero)
Avoiding strikes (Sciopero)
Transport strikes are a common thing in Italy. They most often happen on Fridays. You will always be warned in advance on the operators' official websites and social media. High-speed trains (Frecce and Italo) usually run on schedule even on strike days. Regional routes suffer the most, but they have "guaranteed windows" (usually from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM) when trains are legally required to run so people can get to work and back home.
Validating tickets
Validating tickets
If you bought a paper ticket for a regional train (it doesn't have a specific departure time or seat assigned) at a machine or a ticket window, you absolutely must validate it before boarding. Look for small green validators on the platform, in the underpass, or inside the station building. Just insert the ticket into the slot until it clicks so the machine stamps the time and station. An unvalidated ticket is treated like traveling without a ticket at all—the inspector will issue a fine starting from €50. Tickets for high-speed trains and Intercity / Intercity Notte (which have a designated car and seat) do not need to be validated in the machine.
Photo by Alexey Zabolotnov
Traveling by train in Italy is a pure pleasure, topped with great views from the window. The main things are to buy your high-speed and night train tickets in advance, remember to check the strike schedule, validate your tickets, and treat minor delays with a philosophical mindset. Buon viaggio!
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