Italy by Train - Buying Tickets
Italy's slower regional trains are cheap to ride. The top routes are also crowded. Since trains are subsidized for underpaid workers, fewer trains run on Sundays and they, too can get crowded. I often buy first class tickets (for about 30% more than standard tickets) on regional trains I think will be crowded.
I buy my regional train tickets at the train station, either at the ticket window or at the machines that accept cash. It's easy to buy your outgoing train tickets when you arrive in a city station, then you'll have them before you leave, just in case something goes wrong or you've read the schedules wrong.
For a map of Italy's main rail routes, see our Italy Train Map.
To see one of nothern Italy's main lines and a compelling one for tourists, see our Torino to Trieste Rail Map.
Point to Point Train Tickets in Italy
Some people like to have their "big" tickets for faster trains or longer journeys in hand while in the United States. This will usually cost you more than just buying them at a train station, but if you find it convenient, check times and costs of European train travel in the box below.
Italy Rail Passes
We have a special page for determining if an Eurail Italy Pass will save you money. These days, when you travel between cities like Naples and Florence, you will be better off with a pass over point to point rail tickets. See: Italy Rail Passes.
A more frugal idea for those combining a vacation in Italy with one of the adjacent contries is to try Multiple Country Passes
as train travel is more expensive in France and Germany, for example.
Italy by Train - Is It a Good Idea?
I love traveling by train. In fact, even when I have a lease car, I often drive to our local train station and take the train. Who wants to drive in Rome? I have no need to spend my days looking for parking spaces and worrying about theft.
There are usually ample hotels around the train stations in Italy. In the off season, I just get off the train, look for a hotel, dump my bags and go exploring.
Italy Rail Passes - Yes, they can save you some money if you plan your travel right. The right rail pass can also make your Italian transportation easier. It wasn't always like that. Compare the facts and figures and decide if a rail pass meets your needs.