The best way to travel around Italy, if you mainly want to visit the cities like Rome, Florence and Venice, is by train. Italy has an extensive network of both fast speed inter-city trains and regional services that connect the smaller cities and towns.

Touring Italy without a car in 2026 is not only possible but often preferred and more efficient than driving. Italy’s high-speed rail network (Frecciarossa and Italo) connects major cities like Rome, Florence, Venice, and Naples with incredible speed—reaching up to 300 km/h—and takes you directly into the city centers, avoiding the stress of "ZTL" (restricted traffic) zones and expensive parking. For smaller towns in regions like Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast, a combination of regional trains and local buses (like Sita) or ferries provides comprehensive coverage. In 2026, the ItaliaPass and various regional "tap-to-pay" systems make ticketing seamless. For more remote areas like the Dolomites or rural Puglia, while a car offers more flexibility, many travelers now utilize private transfers or e-bike tours which have become increasingly popular. Walking remains the primary mode of transport within historic centers, where cars are largely prohibited, making Italy one of the most pedestrian-friendly countries in the world.