Transport > Europe > Train Travel > Train Travel in Italy
Train travel in Italy
Italian trains are often criticised for being slow and poorly managed, however train service in Italy is improving with the introduction of frequent high-speed Eurostar Italia trains. Although the bureaucratic Trenitalia isn't up to the same standard as the rail networks in neighbouring countries, tickets are much cheaper than elsewhere in Europe and the system is still an excellent way to get around as long as you understand some of its idiosyncrasies.
Many trains in Italy require a supplement above the regular ticket price. This is almost always the case with couchette and sleeper trains, although often what would appear to be a regular train may also charge a supplement. It is not unusual to be charged a €5.20 supplement on a short €1.50 half-hour trip (from Padua to Venice for example), however you can always check first to see if you need to pay a supplement. In most cases trains that require a supplement are marked on the timetable in red.
It's worth paying the extra money to make a reservation on Italian trains, which are often booked full. It's not unusual to have to stand for three hours or so on the busier routes. You normally have to make a seat reservation three hours before departure, however several train services accept reservations up to 30 minutes before departure.
Because Italian trains are cheaper than trains elsewhere in Europe, it may be a good idea to buy individual tickets in Italy rather than use up days on your railpass if you're travelling on a Eurail Flexipass or similar rail pass.
When you buy a ticket at a station, you will need to stamp it at one of the validation machines at the entrance to the station platform. You will then have six hours to complete a journey of up to 200km or 24 hours for a journey over 200km.
Italy railpasses
Eurail and InterRail passes are valid on Italian trains.
Eurail Italy Pass
This pass is valid for three to 10 days of unlimited train travel in Italy within a two month period.
| Travel validity | Adult (1st Class) |
Adult (2nd Class) |
Youth (2nd Class) |
|---|---|---|---|
3 travel days in 2 months |
USD $244 |
USD $199 |
USD $161 |
4 travel days in 2 months |
USD $272 |
USD $221 |
USD $180 |
5 travel days in 2 months |
USD $304 |
USD $246 |
USD $200 |
6 travel days in 2 months |
USD $332 |
USD $269 |
USD $219 |
7 travel days in 2 months |
USD $362 |
USD $293 |
USD $240 |
8 travel days in 2 months |
USD $391 |
USD $318 |
USD $258 |
9 travel days in 2 months |
USD $421 |
USD $341 |
USD $279 |
10 travel days in 2 months |
USD $451 |
USD $365 |
USD $297 |
Please not that Eurail passes cannot be sold to European residents. If you live in Europe you should order the following Interrail One Country pass.
InterRail One Country Pass – Italy
European residents are eligible to buy the Interrail One Country pass, which is a flexi pass that gives you three to eight days of unlimited train travel in Ireland within a one month period.
| Travel validity | Adult (1st Class) |
Adult (2nd Class) |
Youth (2nd Class) |
|---|---|---|---|
3 travel days in 1 month |
£137 |
£102 |
£67 |
4 travel days in 1 month |
£175 |
£130 |
£84 |
6 travel days in 1 month |
£238 |
£176 |
£115 |
8 travel days in 1 month |
£288 |
£213 |
£139 |
Please note that Interrail passes can only be sold to European residents. You should order the Eurail Italy Railpass if you live outside Europe.
