What are the high-speed train routes in Italy?

The Frecciarossa high-speed train in Italy This train connects Turin - Milan - Bologna - Rome - Naples - Salerno. The trains are the fastest of fast, reaching speeds of over 220 mph, with over 72 daily connections between the cities, some of which are non-stop service.



Italy boasts one of the most efficient and extensive high-speed rail networks in Europe, primarily operated by Trenitalia (with their "Frecciarossa" trains) and the private competitor Italo. The "backbone" of the system is the North-South corridor, which connects Turin, Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples, and Salerno. On this route, the journey from Milan to Rome can take as little as 2 hours and 59 minutes, reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h (186 mph). Another major route is the East-West line, connecting Turin, Milan, and Venice via Brescia, Verona, and Padua. There is also a high-speed connection between Bologna and Verona, and extensions that reach the "heel" of Italy in Puglia (Foggia and Bari) and the "toe" in Calabria (Reggio Calabria), though these often utilize "Frecciargento" trains which transition to high-speed tracks where available. In 2026, new sections are being completed to improve the speed between Milan and Genoa and the connection to Lyon, France. The competition between Trenitalia and Italo has made these routes remarkably affordable and high-quality, featuring multiple classes of service and free Wi-Fi for all passengers.

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Perhaps the most popular scenic train route in Italy is the Bernina Express, which connects Tirano in Italy to St. Moritz in the Swiss Alps. Along the way you'll see mountain peaks covered in snow, alpine lakes, and gorgeous valleys.

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Like I mentioned above, Italo is usually cheaper than Trenitalia but because the cabins on lower-class tickets aren't the most comfortable, I'll usually consider Italo only for trains that are less than 2 or 3 hours long unless the Comfort ticket class is cheaper than Trenitalia.

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We're looking at trains for Venice-Bologna, Bologna-Florence, Florence-Rome.. Trenitalia is the train operator. ItaliaRail is an agency that sells Trenitalia tickets. When you make an enquiry on the Trenitalia site, the initial page showing trains usually does not include all the slow, cheap trains.

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First-class seating is more spacious, with fewer seats per compartment, and usually more quiet. There is more room for luggage and it will generally be less crowded as most passengers typically travel in second class.

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The Eurail or Interrail Italy Pass allows you unlimited travel with the freedom to hit the tracks whenever and wherever you want!

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There is rarely any discount for buying a regional train ticket in advance, but these are also the least expensive tickets within the Trenitalia system. If you buy your Regionale tickets online, they do not need to be validated before boarding.

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High-speed trains in Italy can reach speeds of up to 400 km/h (248 mph). The fastest Italian high-speed train reaching that speed is the modern Frecciarossa 1000, which connects the main cities, including Turin, Milan, Florence, Rome, Naples and Salerno.

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Today the legend of the Orient Express is back with the Orient Express La Dolce Vita, and it awaits to take you on an adventure through Italy. You can now experience the dream of the golden age of travel aboard La Dolce Vita in all it's beauty.

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From simple snacks to full meals: savour the High-Speed taste experience. The new catering service on board Frecciarossa and Frecciargento trains combines an exceptional welcome with the best of Italian cuisine.

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Should you choose Frecciarossa or Italo? On the Turin-Milan-Florence-Rome-Naples route, Venice-Florence-Rome-Naples route and Turin-Milan-Verona-Venice route you can choose between Trenitalia's Frecciarossas and NTV's competing Italo trains. Both are excellent, you won't be disappointed whichever you go with.

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In most cases tickets are sold in unlimited numbers so the train can't sell out, although regional trains on a few routes now have limited numbers.

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Traveling by train in Italy means always traveling with carry-on luggage. You'll carry on board everything you have with you. It's your responsibility to bring your bags on board and stow them properly, which is a great incentive to packing light. There's no fee to bring luggage on the train.

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For the cheapest high-speed tickets in Italy, go for Italo, and buy your tickets in advance. If you're on a super budget, go with the regional trains on Trenitalia. If you've never been to Italy and aren't super great at navigating confusing websites with translations that might be off, book with ItaliaRail.

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If you are over 60, travel with discounts up to 60% This offer is valid for Smart class and Prima class. Tickets can be purchased up to 6 days before the intended departure date through all sales channels (except for on-board personnel). A valid identification document may be requested by our on-board staff.

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Trainline lets you choose your exact seats when booking Italian train tickets, while Omio only lets you choose a preference. (Window, middle seat, or solo seat.) They charge the same fee (roughly $2 per seat) that the train companies charge when you book seats with them directly.

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High-speed trains always require reservations. Trenitalia, Italy's state-run rail network, operates most of the high-speed trains. Others are run by a private company, Italo. The two options are competitively priced and reasonably similar, though they sometimes serve different train stations.

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If you miss your train, simply approach the ticket counter, or Biglietteria, present your original ticket, and ask about your options. The representative will be able to advise you based on your individual ticket.

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