Are you looking for a printable Italy train map so you can highlight train routes for your upcoming trip to Italy?
If so, great choice! Traveling by train in Italy can be a fun and beautiful way to see the country and it’s often the quickest and most inexpensive way to get to your destination.
I’ve been using Italy’s trains since 2003 – as a solo traveler, with clients traveling in Italy, and now with my family. While I travel mostly by car (or bicycle!), I always choose the train when it’s the most efficient option, or when my kids want to ride the treno!
Check out our Italy train map below and keep reading for our tips for train travel in Italy.
Italy Train Map – Main Train Lines in Italy
This map will help you plan your general train trips. The tiny local train lines aren’t on the map. Also, be aware that routes may change, so always double check your planned route on the train company’s websites.
Read on for 9 Tips for Train Travel in Italy or, read our Complete Guide to Train Travel in Italy.
You may also want to check out
Printable Map of Italy
100+ Useful Travel Phrases (with Printable Cheat Sheet!)
Buon viaggio!
9 Tips for Planning Your Italy Train Travel
Know the Train Station You Need
When you’re ready to buy your train tickets, you’ll need to enter the train stations (or tell the person at the ticket booth). Some cities have multiple stations, and they could be kilometers away from each other (or where you need to be).
Here are the main train stations for some of Italy’s most popular destinations:
- Rome – Roma Termini
- Florence – Firenze Santa Maria Novella (Firenze S.M.N.)
- Venice – Venezia Santa Lucia
- Milan – Milano Centrale
- Turin – Torino Porta Nuova
- Naples – Napoli Centrale
- Palermo – Palermo Centrale
- Verona – Verona Porta Nuova
- Bologna – Bologna Centrale
- Salerno – Stazione di Salerno
- La Spezia – La Spezia Centrale
- Bari – Bari Centrale
Helpful Tip: Sometimes train ticket websites will use the English version of a name (like Florence), and other times will use the Italian version (like Firenze). If the name doesn’t show up, try the other language.
Avoid Traveling On or Around Major Holidays
Many Italians don’t own cars, so they depend on trains for travel. And still others choose trains for long distance travel. So, expect major crowds during some holidays. If you must travel during these periods, be sure to buy your tickets well in advance, or you may find yourself senza biglietti (without tickets). I also recommend traveling on trains that require a seat reservation (or you may find yourself standing for a long journey). I remember having to sit on the floor in the train corridor from Puglia to Tuscany one summer – never again).
- Christmas and New Year’s Holidays – many Italians head home, especially from northern to southern Italy
- Easter
- Ferragosto – not just August 15th (the holiday), but especially the beginning and end of the month, when many start and end their vacations
Book at Least 3 Days Out for Discounts
Competition is great for the consumer! Trenitalia and Italo Treno both have excellent offers for all types of travelers – seniors, families, young adults, groups, day returns, and more. Always check the train websites for discounts before you purchase a ticket!
For example, at the moment, you can travel on Italo Treno as a family with kids under 14 traveling for free and adults with an up to 40% discount.
Important: You typically must book at least 3 days in advance to use the discount, so it pays to be prepared.
Book a Train with Air-Conditioning in the Summer
Italo Treno’s trains and Trenitalia’s Frecce trains are closed trains (meaning you can’t open up the windows), and they have air-conditioning.
These are great trains to book during the hot summer months in Italy (especially August) if you don’t want to arrive at your destination dripping in sweat.
Helpful Tips: If I’m traveling on an air-conditioned train in the summer, I bring a fleece or scarf (to drape over my shoulders) because sometimes it’s too cold! Also, I avoid the window seat on Trenitalia trains because that’s usually where the cold air shoots out.
Limit Your Luggage
If you’ve traveled on Italy’s trains before, you know to pack light. After all, you’re the one who has to get your luggage up and down the few stairs (on and off the train) and you’re the one who has to lug it to and around train stations.
Once you’re on the train, you’ll need to find a place for it at the end of the train cars or lift it onto the overhead area by your seat.
It’s not fun to keep track of multiple pieces of luggage during train travel.
I recommend one suitcase and a smaller piece (like a backpack or small travel purse).
Arrive Early to the Station
Sure, at some smaller Italian train stations, you can walk up, walk through the station to the track, and hop on your train.
But most train stations are much larger and can have many binari (train tracks). For example, Roma Termini has over 30 tracks.
You’ll need to allow time to walk in, check the digital screen for your train’s binario, and then walk to it.
I recommend arriving to the station 30 minutes early. This is what I do, even for stations I know well.
Bring a Snack
Don’t rely on getting something to eat at the station. The food is often overpriced, not always high-quality, and smaller stations may have limited selection. Also, you could end up running late (your taxi runs into traffic, you get lost walking to the station, etc) and run out of time to get something or the line to buy something could be long. Yes, some trains have snack carts or bar cars, but not all.
If you follow a special diet (gluten-free, vegan, etc), definitely bring something with you.
Keep Valuables on You
You may be worried about someone stealing your large suitcase from the end of the train. While it could happen, I’d pay more attention to your smaller bags. After all, would-be-thieves know that’s where you keep your phone, wallet, etc.
So, I recommend wearing your valuables on the train (cross-body bag) or keeping a leg through your bag if you keep it on the floor. And, keep your bag in the overhead storage area in your line of vision – in front of you, not behind you.
I’m not saying this to scare you – there aren’t people running through the trains grabbing bags all the time. I’m just sharing the precautions I take.
Know Basic Train Vocabulary (Or Keep This Handy)
If you’re planning on traveling in Italy by train, it’s helpful to know some basic train travel vocabulary in Italian.
For example, if you’re running late, it’s helpful to be able to ask where your train is. Or, you may want to ask the train manager where the bar car is so you can enjoy an aperitivo on your way to Venice…
- Binario – track
- Biglietto – ticket
- Biglietteria – ticket office
- Di solo andata – one way only
- Andata e ritorno – return trip
- Bagaglio – bag
- Valigia – suitcase
- Dov’è…? – Where is…?
- In ritardo – late
- In anticipo – early
- Posto a sedere – seat
- Sottopassaggio – underpass
- Carrozza – carriage
- Carrozza ristorante e bar – restaurant and bar carriage
- Stazione – station
- Ferrovia – railroad, railway
- Treno – train
- Per favore – please
- Grazie – thank you
- Prego – you’re welcome
Get even more tips in our Complete Guide to Train Travel in Italy!
Important Italian Train Websites
Trenitalia – Italy’s state-run rail network; countrywide; includes regional (slow) trains
Italo Treno – privately-owned high-speed rail network connecting major Italian cities
Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport – info on upcoming strikes (scioperi); Italian only
Eurail – info and tickets for Eurail train passes
Italy Train Map FAQ
Yes, it’s easy to travel around Italy by train. Italy’s train network is extensive and the high-speed trains will move you to major cities quickly. Although slower, regional trains allow you to take in views of the gorgeous Italian countryside.
The main train company in Italy is Trenitalia, the state-run train network. It runs high-speed and regional trains. Italo Treno is the other major company. It runs high-speed trains between major Italian cities.
Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa 1000 is the most modern train in the company’s current fleet. It’s well known for its maximum speed of 360 km/hr (400 km/hr according to Trenitalia). Still, that’s a far cry from France’s Tgv POS, which has a max speed of 575 km/hr. The Frecciarossa also has low noise and vibration, free WIFI, and four service types (Executive, Business, Premium, and Standard).