Top Train Routes in Italy:
Explore a Convenient & Beautiful Way to Travel

Traveling by train is always an exciting experience, especially while crossing the marvelous Italian scenery. Train routes in Italy are not only one of the most picturesque ways of traveling from point A to point B but also one of the fastest and most comfortable ones as well.

Last updated: 10.06.2025

Italian Train Routes: Best Way to Travel in Italy

If you look at the Italy train map, you’ll easily see that this country has an extensive rail network, connecting major cities and smaller towns. High-speed rail is a well-developed option in Italy, and bullet trains link many popular Italian cities from the city center to city center in short travel times.

For this reason, this mode of travel is a favored option compared to buses and airplanes, winning over the hearts of travelers with great overall travel times, comfort, fair prices, and on-schedule departures and arrivals. Just think about it, when you travel on a high-speed train, you don’t get stuck in traffic jams (which is possible when taking a big bus) and you don’t waste your vacation time getting to and from airports (which are often located out of town).

The Oldest Railway in Italy: Dating back to 1839, the Napoli-Portici line was the first railway line ever built in Italy, marking the beginning of Italy's rich rail history and making train travel an integral part of Italian culture.

The Most Popular Routes from Major Italian Cities

Rome
The most popular Italy train routes from the capital are the Rome to Venice train (3 hours 35 minutes), Rome to Naples train (54 minutes!), Rome to Milan train (3 hours), and Rome to Florence train (1 hour 30 minutes). Rome’s central location makes it a perfect starting point for exploring Italy’s diverse regions by rail.

Milan
Milan, Italy’s fashion and financial hub, offers popular routes such as Milan to Venice (2 hours 50 minutes) and Milan to Florence (1 hour 45 minutes). The Milan to Naples route is a longer journey (about 4 hours 35 minutes on high-speed trains) but connects northern Italy with the southern coast efficiently.

Venice
From the romantic city of canals, travelers often take the Venice to Florence train (about 2 hours) and Venice to Rome train (3 hours 35 minutes). Venice also connects well to Milan and other northern cities, making it a great gateway to the Veneto region and beyond.

Florence
Florence serves as a key hub with routes like Florence to Milan (1 hour 45 minutes) and Florence to Venice (2 hours). The city’s central location in Tuscany makes it ideal for day trips and scenic train journeys through the Italian countryside. Travelers can also enjoy picturesque routes such as the historic Treno Natura.

Naples
Naples is well connected to Rome (less than 2 hours by high-speed train) and offers access to southern Italy. While Naples itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site, it also serves as a gateway to the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii, accessible by regional trains and buses. Travelers should be mindful of pickpockets during busy hours.

Turin
Turin, in the northwest, connects to Milan (about 1 hour by train) and offers routes toward the Alps and France. It’s a less touristy but culturally rich city worth exploring by train.

Train travel is one of the best ways of connecting the dots on your Italian itinerary and visiting the charming, bustling cities. Make the most of exploring Italy by train and traverse the postcard-like towns and villages, as well as scenic landscapes and picturesque regions along the way. For more detailed information on Italy’s diverse destinations, check out our comprehensive guide to Italy destinations.

Top Scenic Train Routes in Italy

Italy is not just about fast connections; it also offers some of the most breathtaking scenic train routes in Europe. Traveling by rail allows you to soak in the picturesque landscapes, rolling hills, vineyards, and historic towns.

The Bernina Express (from Tirano to St. Moritz, Switzerland) passes through the Alps with dramatic mountain views and UNESCO World Heritage-listed railway engineering marvels.

Cinque Terre Express connects the five colorful villages of the Cinque Terre along the Ligurian coast, offering stunning sea views and charming stops.

The Dolomites Railway between Bolzano and Dobbiaco crosses the spectacular Dolomite mountains, perfect for nature lovers and hikers.

The Amalfi Coast by train and bus. While there is no direct train along the Amalfi Coast, you can take a train to Salerno or Naples and then connect by bus to enjoy the coastal vistas.

Lake Como routes. Trains from Milan to Como and Varenna offer beautiful lakeside scenery combined with charming towns.

Train travel is one of the best ways of connecting the dots on your Italian itinerary and visiting the charming, bustling cities. Make the most of exploring Italy by train and traverse the postcard-like towns and villages, as well as scenic landscapes and picturesque regions along the way.