There are two main types of trains that operate across Italy: High-speed and regional trains. Major stations will often have both, while smaller local stations might run regional trains only. What’s the difference? Price point, travel times and schedule frequency, accessibility, and luxuries such as air conditioning to name a few.

• TrenItalia is the primary national railway operator in Italy (similar to Amtrak in the U.S.) They operate a variety of direct train services, including high-speed, regional, and inter-city trains. These trains are often larger and more comfortable with different riding class options, have ample luggage storage space, charging outlets and wifi, and air conditioning (if it’s working). Depending on the distance you’re traveling, ticket costs can range from $8 - 80 USD. TrenItalia lines are good for shorter distances, but can also get you down to Rome quickly, for example. 

• Trenord is run by TrenItalia, but it primarily operates regional and suburban train services within Italy’s northern regions - mainly the Lombardy region. They are an inexpensive, slightly less cushy option (average ticket cost of $7-10 USD), but is still a perfectly acceptable mode of transportation to, from, and around Lake Maggiore. 

• Eurocity (EC) trains are a network of international trains that operate across European borders. They connect major cities in different countries, such as Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and France. While Trenitalia may operate some EuroCity trains that pass through Italy, the EuroCity designation refers to the international service itself, not just the Italian operator. If you are interested in traveling to and from Italy internationally by train, you can explore Eurocity routes and timetables on sites like Rail Europe or Rail Ninja.

Some train routes are direct, while others might require you to transfer trains at certain stations to get to your destination. We recommend keeping things simple and booking direct routes only, though that might not be feasible.

When planning your trip, be sure to pay attention to whether a route requires you to transfer trains, and if so, be sure there is ample transfer time in the schedule for you to deboard and get on the next train. Typically, you will do this at the same station, but also take caution to ensure that you won’t need to transfer trains or get on a bus at a different station.

We advise that you buy your train tickets ahead of time. You can definitely buy train tickets on short notice, but they will be subject to availability and a price increase a couple of weeks out from the departure date. We also recommend that you purchase your tickets via one of the suggested mobile sites or apps for simplicity’s sake.

Should you purchase a physical ticket, you will need to validate your ticket before boarding, which is a frequently missed step by tourists and is one that is not as intuitive as it may seem. Failure to validate a physical ticket or purchase a ticket at all will result in a heavy fine and/or have you kicked off the train at any given time. Don’t make dumb decisions (we’re talking to you, Patrick, Jack, and Joe! …and we know you’re not reading this anyway) – buy a ticket, and do so online preferably. We can’t stress this enough.

Pros: Relying on the train is another quick, easy, and affordable option for getting around, despite how overwhelming all this info might seem. When everything with the trains goes according to plan, it’s fabulous – which is why we’ve equipped you with everything you need to know. 

Cons: Unfortunately in Italy, things don’t always go according to plan. It’s not uncommon for there to be unexpected route disruptions and lengthy train delays due to rail issues or operator strikes, especially in the hot summer months. You may end up sitting idle on the track for multiple hours – another nod to the potential lack of air conditioning. Trust us, we’ve been there. Multiple times.