On many routes, particularly in northern Italy, alternative Regionale Veloce (RV) train services are faster than these Regionale (R) trains. Mainly because those RV services - skip some stations that the Regionale trains call because the RV services tend to only call at the major towns and cities.

The difference between the Regionale (R) and Regionale Veloce (RV) trains in Italy lies in their speed and the number of stops they make. The Regionale (R) is the "slow" train; it stops at every single station along its route, including tiny villages and rural platforms. It is the backbone of local commuting but can be quite slow for long distances. The Regionale Veloce (RV), which translates to "Fast Regional," operates on the same tracks but skips the smaller, minor stations, stopping only at larger towns and major cities. For example, on a trip between Florence and Rome, an RV train will be significantly faster than an R train. In terms of comfort, they are nearly identical: both are "unreserved" (you can sit anywhere), usually don't have a bistro car, and have a flat-rate price. In 2026, both are great budget-friendly alternatives to the expensive Frecciarossa high-speed trains, provided you don't mind a longer travel time and a more "local" experience.