Italian train system - An easy way to use Trains in Italy

The Italian train system can be intimidating if you are not used to it. First things first, the Italian Train System has two main components: the high-speed train system and the regular train system. Two companies provide high-speed train systems: Trenitalia and Italo. They are both excellent, have great service, are very efficient, and cover North-South and East-West main routes. Unfortunately, the high-speed train system does not reach every place in Italy. If you want to use the fast-speed Italian train system, you have to purchase the ticket before getting on board (the sooner you buy the ticket, the better fare you get). You'll have a preassigned seat, and there are different classes of service.
The Italian regular train system has only one provider Trenitalia. In this category, there are faster trains with fewer stops (Intercity and Eurostar Frecciabianca), Treni Regionali is slower with a lot of stops, and commuter trains. Overall the Italian Train System is excellent, efficient and very convenient. If you are planning on vacationing in Italy the train system is probably the easiest and most convenient way to travel in the country.
Your engagement helps us keep creating the content you love.
🌟 Don't forget to visit our sponsors! 🌟
👍 We appreciate your support!
🇮🇹 Best Italian Tours, Activities & Experiences: readysetitaly....
🚉 Book High Speed (And Regional) Trains in Italy: readysetitaly....
🏣 Book Hotels in Italy: readysetitaly....
🚘 Book Cars in Italy: readysetitaly....
🛳️ Book a Cruise Adventure: readysetitaly....
📱 Order an eSim for Your Phone: readysetitaly....
🔥 Convert Your $$ at the Best Rates WIth Wise: readysetitaly....
We are two Canadians currently living in Italy. We moved to Italy in November 2018 to start a new chapter of our life's and we would like to share our story with. We hope you enjoy it.
Follow us on social media:
➤ / traveladdictsco
➤ / traveladdictsco
➤ / traveladdictslife
Contact us:
➤ [e-mail]
About us:
In March 2017, Rick and Andrea (confessed Travel Addicts) started a Facebook Group called Travel Addicts as a way to share their travel photos and videos not just with their own respective friend's lists - but with the world. Part of the reason was for bragging rights (I mean, that’s kind of the point of sharing photos, right?), but also to help answer questions to others about the destinations they have visited.
After inviting some of our friends and family, it grew and grew - and as of June 2019, the group has grown to over 200,000 members! One reason for our success, we believe, is that we have done our best to ensure only high-quality photos and videos get shared, all while limiting the use of commercial content.

[@andreaashmead8578]

What great information. I was really sweating how to validate a ticket I purchased online but now I know I don't have to. Super informative. I truly appreciate all the work you two do covering the anxiety-provoking parts of traveling. You rock! Thanks so much.

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Thank you 🙏

[@jerrychao9742]

Very Infomative for my upcoming Cruise and Rome trip ! thanks a lot !

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Thank you 🙏

[@stefanogabrielli7130]

In Ticket for regional trains purchased by app is indicated the time and the date of the journey, so validating on the stamp machine is not necessary because you cannot use it again.

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Thank you for the clarification Stefano

[@massieghods2635]

Excellent tips, just reserved tickets using Italy apps ahead of time and saved a lot! Thank you

[@TravelAddictsLife]

We are glad you did 🙏

[@cindylewis3730]

Thank you so much. Traveling to Rome in December 2021

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Thank you Cindy 🙏

[@bertofs640]

In this video you gave a lot of useful information. I’m italian, but you telled me thing I didn’t know before. Thank you very much!!!

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Thank you Berto, we are glad you learned something new!

[@220kitkat]

Great info and explanations easy to follow!

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Thank you 🙏

[@olivesINsweets]

I love this video! I will be visiting Italy in May and, will be riding the train. After watching this video I definitely feel more confident! Thank you so much for providing such clear and useful information.

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Thank you let us know how you like your trip 👍🏻

[@ruthfriberg3365]

We love taking the train to Milan❤️😀

[@TravelAddictsLife]

We had a lot of fun! 😀

[@itsmetaran]

Great info. Thank you both for posting.

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Thank you 😀

[@Crazy.lobster.]

Thanks for your vid, we are off to pompeii end of August 😅

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Let us know how you like it 😍

[@rustyhunt2458]

Wow, excellent and nicely detailed explanation of the train system. Thank you so much!

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Thank you 😊 we are happy you like it

[@sunnysweden7170]

Excellent information. Thanks guys!👍🏻👍🏻

[@TravelAddictsLife]

You are very welcome 😀😀

[@FaisalChan]

Good trip and good info... thanks.

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Thank you 😀😀

[@shauntecristo]

This was so great guys! Wow. Thank you so much!!

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Our pleasure!

[@danielefabbro822]

An interesting thing is that we are developing our own prototype of maglev high speed train. Sometimes in future it might be available for both civilian and merchant transport.

[@brunobarreto5]

Thank you!

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Thank you Bruno! 😀

[@cristianobagatello5643]

The tickets for commuter trains buyed in the app must be validated in the app though a checkin process before deparure time

[@katytran916]

Thanks We will take the train from Venezia S Lucia to Trieste , should we buy ticket in advance

[@TravelAddictsLife]

It is usually cheaper to book in advance

[@TravelForMemories]

Useful info...keep it up...👍👍

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Thank you 😀😀

[@jatinkumardesai583]

Sorry if my quary is repeated.buying both high speed yrain and regional train ti kets on , "Trainline "application requires Validation before boarding trains,,from Rome to florence and also to venice from Rome?kindly guide me.your vedio are superb.

[@TravelAddictsLife]

We are not familiar with trainline, we usually use Trenitalia directly and with them it is not necessary to validate online tickets only the paper ones for regular trains.

[@secretstoasafestressfreetr1286]

Very informative video. I like it. I am now one of your subscribers. By the way, if we would like to visit Milan for a day from Venice, is it okay to buy round trip tickets from Venezia Mestre to Milan. And what kind of train do we take? Our hotel is in Mestre that is why we would like to buy from Venezia Mestre Train Station not from Santa Lucia Train Station. Looking forward for your response. Thank you in advance.

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Yes you can take the high speed train from Mestre to Milan no problem. You can take either Italo or Trenitalia. It takes 2:15 from Mestre to Milano Centrale

[@secretstoasafestressfreetr1286]

@@TravelAddictsLife Thank you very much for the information. Happy travel.

[@divyabiyani6352]

Hey @TravelAddictsLife, Thanks for the information. I have 1 doubt. In case if we miss the train, can we hop on to the next train?

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Depends on the type of trains. For high speed or intercity no you have to change the ticket. Regionali and regionali veloci you can but again you have to go to the ticket counter.

[@divyabiyani6352]

@@TravelAddictsLife Thank you so much for the info.

[@stephennicholson2833]

I just bought two intercity ticket from Rome to Pisa using Trainline instead of one of the train companies. That is another option. It was pretty easy to do. I've not been to Italy before but I have used the trains in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland and used their respective on-line apps for the specific country rail systems. Trainline has an agreement with multiple European train systems. All the other trains that we are taking are regional trains. The trainline app also covers regional trains. I don't know exactly how they work. I'm interested in how the on-line tickets work for regional trains. Do you print out a ticket at the train station and then get that validated. That seems to defeat the purpose. Or do they send you a pdf or some other means so there is a QR code to scan from your phone? You mentioned about not having to get the on-line ticket validated for regional trains so I'm assuming that they scan the QR code and then the ticket is deactivated for future use. I think I would rather have that all taken care of before I go to the station instead of having to take out my credit card and go through all the screens at the train station. Thanks for any insight. I'm sure I'll be an expert after the trip.

[@Ionabrodie69]

I’m interested in that answer too.. I’ve downloaded the Trainline app and plan to buy my tickets that way to get from Pisa Centrale into Florence… ( I’m a bit nervous of using the ticket machine in the station ) We have always got the terravision bus from outside Pisa airport to outside Florence train station but for some reason that hasn’t been available since before covid ..🤷‍♀️. And if you do buy your tickets at the machine I noticed an American couple had to scan a health card and input their address … in Britain we don’t have these health cards …do you know if this would apply ..? Great video guys ..😊🇬🇧

[@vilmawilson3931]

Your video is very helpful. My family will be travelling to Italy in mid-June. We land in Milan and our 1st stop is Lake Como ... would you recommend a highspeed train or a regional train ?

[@TravelAddictsLife]

To go to Lake Come there are no high speed trains 😢just regional

[@vilmawilson3931]

Thank you. Is there an app or website that shows the travel time for both regional trains abd highspeed trains between Italy destinations ?

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Yes there is, the Trenitalia app 👍🏻

[@vilmawilson3931]

Given the floods in No. Italy should our family change our travel plans. I believe that the flooding has effected train travel. Part of our trip included going to Rome ,Cinque Terre...We fly into Milan.

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Rome and Cinque terre are not affected by the flood at the moment it is mostly on the east coast

[@yuliyalovesali]

Hello. Can you please tell me what happens if you miss a connecting train? Thank you.

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Depends on the train. For regular trains you catch the next one, for high speed train you need a new ticket.

[@Mindy-s-channel]

I will be traveling to Germany and Italy in June. And I’m still trying to decide if it is economically better to depend on train travel rather than renting a car. What is your opinion? If one is traveling to numerous countries and numerous cities is it better to stick with the train systems or just rent a car?

[@julieg8478]

Can you bring your suitcase on all trains and is there a charge?

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Yes you can and there is no charge

[@paullee4210]

I am planning a trip to Italy later this year coming from the US. If I purchase tickets through an app like Trenitalia, and if I need to cancel them, would I be able to do so?

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Yes you can cancel if they are refundable

[@ednalula2980]

Great and informative video. We're planning to visit Italy this Nov. I have a handicap child in stroller and wanted to visit Cinque Terre for a day. Is the regular train handicap accessible? is there elevator we can use at the train stations if needed? please advise. Would really appreciate your info. Thank you very much. I just subscribed to your channel.

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Thank you Edna for subscribing and the nice comment. We do not remember if the train stations in Cinque Terre had elevators but we found this great website that has all the answers! www.bestofcinqueterre.com/en/cinque-terre-disabled-access

[@cathykildow3739]

Great information Thank you! We are traveling to Rome and will be taking the high speed train to Venice. We just found out our Cruise departs from Trieste instead of Venice. We want to take the train to Trieste but are concerned about our luggage. There is 4 in our party and we will have 4 large bags and 4 small bags. Is there a place for luggage on the slower trains?

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Bet Cathy, yes small trains have places for luggage. You should try to book a freccia bianca, those are more comfortable trains.

[@ayushkandhway8074]

Hey how do i travel to amalfi coast by train? Also how do i commute within amalfi coast?

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Unfortunately the train stops in Sorrento, from there you will need to take the bus

[@SteffanBryce]

So my question is, I have an .Italio ticket from Rome to Venice, purchased online. Do I still need to validate it? I was a bit confused between the commuter and high speed train validation process.

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Hello there, no with Italo. you do not need to vqalidate the ticket because it is a high speed train and you have assigned seats.

[@SteffanBryce]

@@TravelAddictsLife Yall are so awesome!! Thak you for the reply!!

[@milasukhu]

Hi, I'm planning to travel to rome, milan, florence, venice. Should I get the days pass with euro train or just pay with specific fast train?

[@katytran916]

On train ticket ,what KM stand for ? Thanks

[@TravelAddictsLife]

We are not sure but our guess would be kilometre

[@germanopolito5294]

There is also Tropea Lines

[@TravelAddictsLife]

We have never heard of it, must be a local line

[@catchang8234]

Are quiet children (11 year old) allowed in Prima?

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Yea they are 👍🏻

[@farooqamin1028]

Very informative. Is Milano centrale safe for tourists?

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Yes it is very safe

[@farooqamin1028]

@@TravelAddictsLife thanks 🙏🌺

[@mauriciobertolucci]

You didn't comment about luggage space inside the train, can you please talk a little about that, as I planned to end my trip in Florence by going by train to Rome, I imagine I have 3 large suitcases, 2 carry-on and backpacks. Will this be a space issue, not to mention the elevators? thank you

[@TravelAddictsLife]

We will take the train next weekend we can record a little video about that!

[@vittorio9598]

Eurostars have been removed a long while ago..

[@lumineraliving]

Hi Gus, I love your videos. After I watched your videos I made a plan for taking the Italo train to travel to Italy end of May. So I was booking tickets from the Italo website today, but the website at payment was not working for my credit cards from the US. My credit card doesn’t have any problems I called my bank, they said it’s an Italo website problem. Do you have any idea with my problem? Any tips? I am stuck on the Italo website. Thanks

[@TravelAddictsLife]

We are sorry to hear. We have never had a problem with credit card even when we used a Canadian card. Did you try Trenitalia the other train company? They are equally good and they also take PayPal in case the credit card doesn’t work

[@lumineraliving]

@@TravelAddictsLife I wanted to say thank you very much for answering my questions. I called Italo who was on the phone and solved my problem. They are websites that have a problem, probably inside of Italy fine. My credit card isn’t a problem. Again Love your videos💕 I used your information to make an Italy trip end of May very helpful!

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Thank you so much 😊

[@danielleridolfi7327]

Thank you for this helpful video! I do have one question--I am booking my train tickets and one of my journeys has a connection. I am traveling from Reggio Emilia to Mantova, and it looks like I will need to connect in Modena. The tickets shown when I search have an 11-minute window in between the connecting trains in Modena. Is this enough time to make a connection? Are there any tips to keep in mind when finding a connecting train quickly like that? I am worried that since I am not familiar with the station, that I may miss my connection. Thank you!

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Hello Danielle, if the train in Reggio Emilia is not delayed you will have plenty of time to connect. Modena train station is very small it will take only a couple of minutes between tracks.

[@danielleridolfi7327]

@@TravelAddictsLife thank you! And if you do miss a connection, do you just go to the ticket window in that station to get rebooked? Is someone at the ticket office even in the evenings? Thanks!

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Yes you can do that

[@williamli9545]

From Naples to Venice, fast train or budget airline, which do you guys recommend? Thanks

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Definitely fast train 👍🏻

[@brigittelarocque7411]

Thank you for your video. Very informative. How do you get to Lake Como from Venice?

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Thank you 🙏 getting to Lake Como from Venice you will need to go to Milan than change trend there for Como

[@brigittelarocque7411]

@@TravelAddictsLife a saw another video that explained to take a regional train. Is that right? How can we check the hours of train operation?

[@TravelAddictsLife]

@@brigittelarocque7411 Yes you will need to take a regional train from Milan. You can check the schedule on the Trenitalia website www.trenitalia.com/en.html

[@brigittelarocque7411]

@@TravelAddictsLife ok thank you very much

[@Mindy-s-channel]

Do you have a video that shows how to do all of this on a smart phone? Like buying a high-speed rail ticket and also one of the commuter trains ?

[@TravelAddictsLife]

We don’t have that video but we can make one thank you for the suggestion

[@Mindy-s-channel]

@@TravelAddictsLife thank you so much

[@skymanste7630]

Hi guys...apologies if this question has already been asked. I have a 1st class Global Rail Pass for this summer, which covers the whole of Europe (Interrail pass). Can you purchase a 'seat only' reservation from the automated machines for the high speed trains. I couldn't find this option on the train apps. Thanks.

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Hi Steven we are not really sure. We will take a look for you and try to find out

[@skymanste7630]

@@TravelAddictsLife Thank you. Very kind of you both.

[@isabellamaria2132]

Your train link doesn’t work?

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Let us take a look

[@pauloamenta3083]

Hello guys, as usual great video and explanation on your videos; I just found this one. I hope you don't mind me asking, if we buy the ticket 1 month in advance, what happen if we need to change the time for later in the day or we need to change the day entirely. Thanks

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Hey Paulo, depends on the ticket you buy, if you buy the basic usually you’ll have to pay for changes and they are non refundable. If you buy the less restricted one you can change the date or the time. 👍🏻

[@pauloamenta3083]

@@TravelAddictsLife thanks for the clarification, very useful as always. thanks.!!

[@SD-chem]

Hi, I am from Sweden. Is antigen test is sufficient to enter Italy or I need PCR test ?

[@TravelAddictsLife]

If you are vaccinated you don’t need a test. Otherwise antigen is fine. But always double check with the ministry of health website because everything can change.

[@mustafaali-xe9lp]

hello good morning i need information i am planing to go to florence pisa and pienza and val d'orcia is 4 days enough

[@TravelAddictsLife]

It is a bit tight in 4 days. Are you planning on driving or taking a train?

[@mustafaali-xe9lp]

train

[@mustafaali-xe9lp]

i am planing to go to italy in april 2022 and total days are 15 days in italy 3 nights in portofino 4 nights in florence while in florence i like to go to val d'orcia pienza to see landscape then 4 nights in rome and puglia might take flight from rome to puglia and then go to sardinia for 4 nights help me find good route

[@mustafaali-xe9lp]

is 15 days enough for all these locaton or i should cut

[@wendyduran365]

Hi! Thank you for this. 🙂 But I do have a few questions I hope you can answer! My husband and I are flying from LAX & planning to land in Rome first then stay in Venice, and head to Positano. Is train easier for this when heading to these places?

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Hi Wendy, the train between Rome and Venice and Rome and Naples is perfect. Unfortunately there are no train between Naples and Positano, but you can go by bus, boat or taxi. 👍🏻

[@wendyduran365]

@@TravelAddictsLife Thanks for getting back to me and for the info! 🙂 So what itinerary would you recommend best for our Italy trip? Ideally we’d like to stay 2-3 days in Rome, 2 Days in Venice, and 4 days in Positano. And we’re debating if we should land in Rome or Naples. Also, for our departure since we’re ending our trip in Positano I don’t want to be stressed about arriving late to the airport for our departure since we would have to go back in a boat correct? Hope you can help me out! Thank you so much.

[@TravelAddictsLife]

@@wendyduran365 3 days in Rome are good, and 2 days in Venice are also fine. 4 days in Positano are a bit much in my opinion because there is not a lot to do and see there other than the beach and some cute little stores. If you go in the summer and you want to spend time at the beach than is fine but otherwise I would only stay one max 2 days in Positano and maybe one or 2 days in Naples. Naples is a wonderful city to explore with a lot to see and do. You can check out our videos about it.

[@wendyduran365]

@@TravelAddictsLife okay great! Thanks for the info. How is traveling to Italy the beginning of November? Is weather and restaurants good?

[@TravelAddictsLife]

@@wendyduran365 The weather in November can bi a bit rainy, but it is also the cheapest time to go. Restaurants are good at that time of the year.

[@Mindy-s-channel]

Is there a city you would recommend taking a train to where the station is real close to a hiking trail in the dolomites?

[@TravelAddictsLife]

Probably the best station for the Dolomite is S. Dobbiaco Toblach from there there are lots of options for trails.

[@Mindy-s-channel]

@@TravelAddictsLife I’ve decided to rent a car while I’m in the dolomites. But then I’m going to be returning the car to the car rental place right by the main terminal in Milan. I plan on taking a high-speed train from Milan to Rome. This will be in late June on a Sunday in the late afternoon. Do you recommend I purchase that ticket beforehand? Or do you think I would be safe just purchasing it when I get to the train station?

[@TravelAddictsLife]

You should buy in advance but if you are not sure at what time you’ll be in Milan than book the flexible fare that allows you to change the time that way you’ll be fine 👍🏻

[@Mindy-s-channel]

@@TravelAddictsLife thank you

[@Mindy-s-channel]

This probably seems to be a random question but I was wondering if there were any thermal Hot Springs in the Italian Alps that you are aware of? And if there is a train station nearby?

[@TravelAddictsLife]

There are Thermal Spa pretty much in every town in the Alps. in the South Tirol area they are quite famous for their spas.

[@robertopezzutto5843]

In Tuscany there are some free thermal water spring in Saturnia that are just amazing

[@Mindy-s-channel]

@@robertopezzutto5843 thanks!

[@mustafaali-xe9lp]

can i have email address so i can write the places i m planing to go so you can help me thanks

[@jefff6167]

No kids???? Sign us up. 😀

[@mustafaali-xe9lp]

sorry 3 days