Train Travel in Italy for Beginners (2026): How to Use Trenitalia & Italo Like a Pro
Traveling by train is one of the easiest, fastest, and most affordable ways to explore Italy. Whether you're visiting Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Cinque Terre, or the Amalfi Coast, chances are you'll be hopping on a train at some point during your trip.
If you're visiting Italy for the first time, the train system can feel overwhelming. Between Trenitalia, Italo, ticket validation, seat reservations, and figuring out which station to use, there's a lot to learn.
The good news? After traveling by train through more than ten cities in Italy, I can honestly say it's much easier than it looks.
In this guide, I'll walk you through exactly how to book train tickets in Italy, navigate Italian train stations, and avoid the common mistakes first-time visitors make.
Italy Train Travel Quick Start Guide
Milano Centrale Train Station
How to Book Train Tickets in Italy
It’s entirely possible to just buy train tickets as you go. We did this for little, short hops so we weren't tied into traveling at a certain time. Although we felt better pre-booking the long-distance trains and the ones that we thought may be super crowded in the summer to ensure we had a reserved seat. The earlier you book, the cheaper the price of the ticket. You’ll also see that booking non-refundable tickets is also cheaper, but I like to purchase a flex ticket just in case. Oftentimes it’s not that much more and I just feel less stressed.
While there are several train apps/websites that you can book your Italy train trip on, I always recommend booking directly. If you want to search on an aggregate third party site that will show you all the prices, I like Trainline or Omio. Once you find the train you want, then proceed to the train company's website and book directly with them.
There are two train companies in Italy: Italo and Trenitalia.
Trenitalia is state-run. There are different types of trains to be on the lookout for:
Regionale (REG) - (slower, can buy same day)
Medium-speed Regionale (RV)
Fast Inter-city (IC)
Frecciarossa (high speed train)
Italo is a private run train company and runs the fast trains on major routes (like Rome to Venice). We chose Italo for the longest train rides.
I recommend creating a free account with both Italo and Trenitalia before you book. This way all your booked train information will be in your account in the app. I found out the hard way that you can’t add a booking to your loyalty account after you book.
How to Search for Train Tickets in Italy
You’ll need to use the Italian names of each city in order to book. For example, instead of Milan, you’ll search for Milano. Other common city names are:
Firenze instead of Florence
Roma instead of Rome
Venezia instead of Venice
Napoli instead of Naples
Which Train Station Should You Choose?
As you’ll find if you’ve tried searching for train routes, you will have more than one choice on which train station you want to arrive at or depart from. A good rule of thumb is that you’ll almost always choose the station that says “centrale” but I always double check on google maps for the station location before I book. Here are the ones you most likely travel through:
Rome - Roma Termini
Venice - Venezia St. Lucia
Florence - Firenze Santa Maria Novella
Milan - Milano Centrale
Naples - Napoli Centrale
What to Expect at an Italian Train Station
There is no need to arrive at the train station two hours early. There is nowhere to sit, and the train platform number doesn’t appear on the display until 20 minutes before departure. However, we do like to arrive 30-45 minutes early just to get the lay of the land, use the bathroom, grab food to eat on the train, etc.
You can purchase your train ticket online or at the train station. Many larger train stations have offices/ticket windows and ticket kiosks that are well staffed with English speakers. If you are at a smaller train station, look for ticket kiosks or inquire inside the newspaper/tobacco shop.
Validate your paper ticket in the machine like this found on most platforms
do you need to validate train tickets in italy?
If you purchase your ticket at the train station, make sure that you validate it (stick it inside the green machine on the platform to be date and time stamped) before getting on the train. The rule of thumb is if your ticket includes a seat reservation, you do not need to validate it. The validation will stamp the date and time on your ticket; this prevents people from riding for free or riding multiple times on one ticket. If you are asked for your ticket on board and you have not validated it, you can be fined heavily. They do not care if you’re a tourist and don't know.
Planning a trip to Italy? Check out my Ten Day in Italy Itinerary
how to find your train platform
When you look at the departures board you are only looking for the DEPARTURE TIME and the TRAIN NUMBER. DO NOT look at the destination. The train may have 9 stops and only the final destination is listed. Remember, the platform number will not appear until about 20 minutes before departure.
Look for: Train Number and Departure Time to find platform number
There can be a lot of stairs in train stations, especially in smaller train stations. Make sure you can carry your luggage up and down the stairs, onto the train, lift up to put above the seat, etc. Yes, there are some elevators and even escalators, but stairs may be your only option at some stations, and you want to be able to manage your own luggage.
Make sure you can carry your luggage up and down platform stairs
How to Board Your Train in Italy
As soon as the platform number pops up on the display, you want to start heading quickly to the platform.
Your ticket will have the train car (coach) and seat number on it. Try to enter on the correct coach. If you’re running late, enter the train on any coach and then make your way to your reserved coach. Double check your coach so you don’t end up sitting in someone else's seat.
You have a short time to board so be ready to hop on. If the doors aren’t open, you can press the button on the side to open the doors (from the inside or the outside)
what luggage should you bring on italian trains?
There are luggage storage racks at the end of each coach, above your seat and on the floor in between some seats. Most checked bags will fit on the shelf above the seat on long distance trains. On regional trains, your checked back will go on the luggage racks on the end of each card. For safety reasons, do not leave your backpack on the luggage racks.
Keep in mind that there may be NO luggage storage on regional trains. This happened to us between Pisa and Florence, and we had to have our suitcases in front of us in our seats. This is another reason to travel with a carryon bag.
There was no luggage storage on our Pisa to Florence train, so we just put it in the aisle in front of us.
You won’t have to show your ticket until you’re on the train and it’s moving. If you purchased your ticket online, I recommend taking a screenshot in case you don’t have service/Wi-Fi on the train. This happened to us on the train from Milan to Cinque Terre.
You can find a cafe cart on most long-distance trains
tips for GETTING OFF THE TRAIN
You have minutes to get off of a train, so you want to be at the door when the train stops. As the train starts slowing down you may notice people start getting up and getting their stuff together. Follow their lead. If you wait until the train stops you may not have time to get off and you’ll be fighting the people trying to get on. Trust me on this one. Especially if you’re traveling in the summertime.
Always keep track of your stuff. Boarding and disembarking is primetime for thieves.
Monitors on board will show route and upcoming stops
Trenitalia vs. Italo: Which Is Better?
Trenitalia:
More routes
Regional trains
High-speed Frecciarossa
Italo:
High-speed only
Often nicer interiors
Rarely affected by strikes
italy train travel tips
Download the train apps (Trenitalia and Italo) before your trip so that you can access tickets, routes and receive notifications about your trains. We found that the Platform number showed up on the app before it showed up on the display board. This gave us a head start to the platform before the hordes of people. You must create an account and log in BEFORE you book in order for your trip information to be stored.
Carry euros to use the bathrooms. There are bathrooms in all train stations, but most (especially in smaller stations) are pay bathrooms and some have attendants that make sure and keep it clean.
Regional trains won’t have reserved seats. Fast trains will. I prefer to pay to choose my seat (rather than having it assigned) when possible.
It’s possible that you get to your seat, and someone is sitting in it (this happened to us). Be polite and firm and ask them to move.
First Class vs Second Class on Italian Trains
There is not much difference between Second Class and First Class in comfort or price. So, if you’re on a budget, second class is just fine. We like to pay a little extra for First Class on the longest train rides, like Rome to Venice for a little extra room and it comes with drinks and snacks.
We were served drinks and snacks on our first-class ride to Venice on Italo
IS TRAIN TRAVEL IN ITALY SAFE?
Just like riding public transportation anywhere else, thieves and pickpockets operate on trains in Italy. Make sure you keep your purse and backpack with you, never leave your phone on the table in front of you and if your suitcase can fit on the shelf above your seat, that will be the safest place for it. Be extra cautious as you are boarding and getting off, try not to have your phone in your hand during this time.
Don’t let anyone help you with your luggage. There are no official porters at train stations. Thieves and scammers pose as porters, then demand money.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF THERE IS A TRAIN STRIKE IN ITALY ON MY TRAVEL DATES?
Train strikes (scioperi) are always announced in advance. Check your train websites for more information before your trip so you can have a Plan B in advance. If you have a reserved-seat ticket, they are usually accepted on other similar trains running that day (without a seat assignment of course).
Happy Travels!