14 days in Italy: A complete guide to travelling by train for a whistle stop tour of the country

Searching for a greener, cheaper holiday break this summer months? Then Italy is the position to be.

The Italian railway network is considerable. In simple fact, its tracks protect a whopping 25,000km.

The impressive infrastructure has built cleaner journey feasible at pocket-friendly rates, and it is good to say it’s modified the vacation map.

Even though some domestic flights still operate, the improvements made to the country’s railways signify Italy’s flagship Airlie, Alitalia, was priced out of the skies final Oct.

“One-third of the top rated 150 small-haul flights in Europe have educate solutions that are considerably less than 6 hrs in duration,” just one TransEuropa report for Greenpeace states.

Even even though a 6-hour practice may well audio stuffy, there are some serious perks: the sprawling surroundings, a relaxed journey, no demanding stability checks, the earth and your pocket.

What route need to you just take all over Italy?

You’ve in all probability fallen in really like with the plan of the Italian railway, but in a region in which each individual town is a holidaymakers aspiration, you could want to know in which to get started.

Here’s a 14-day guideline, to support you marvel at the might of the Med.

Milan: Northern Italy’s bubbling metropolis

How lengthy to stay: 2 days

Positioned in the northern region of Lombardy, Milan is the best spot to start your journey. The money of Lombardy is serviced by a few airports (Linate, Malpensa and Bergamo). But its train station, Milan Centrale, also greets arrivals from all above Europe.

When there, make positive to visit the Duomo, soak in the Last Supper, dine in the Navigli district and expend a night time at the opera.

Venice: The Italian metropolis of water

How very long to remain: 2 times

Head east from Milan to Venice. Venice is introducing expenses for visitors in a bid to halt the holidaying hordes.

Allow that be a reminder to dive off the beaten route and take a look at the islands of Murano and Burano.

How to get there: Acquire the teach from Milan Centrale to Venezia S. Lucia. Speedy trains take 2 hrs and 30 minutes, and expense just shy of €20.

Bologna: Household of hearty sauces and toppling towers

How long to keep: 2 days

Your subsequent stop requires you to the biggest metropolis in Emilia-Romagna, Bologna.

It’s a city coated by purple, orange and brown porticoes, so make a beeline for the Because of Torri (twin towers you can climb for a panoramic look at).

How to get there: Immediate trains from Venezia S. Lucia to Bologna Centrale get 2 several hours and 10 minutes, and value €13.15

Florence: Where art and architecture incorporate

How extended to stay: 2 times

Hop from Bologna to the Tuscan cash of Florence. It is a must for any artwork enthusiasts and architecture aficionados.

Make sure you see the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery.

How to get there: A 37-moment rapidly train from Bologna Centrale to Firenze S. M. Novella will established you again €17.10. A slower option fees €9.45.

Rome: The metropolis of echoes, illusions and yearning

How very long to stay: 3 times

Devote for a longer time soaking in the sites of the Italian cash, Rome.

Make absolutely sure you comb the colosseum, chuck cents into the Trevi fountain, soak in the artwork of the Sistine chapel and substantially, considerably, more.

How to get there: Trains from Firenze S. M. Novella to Roma Termini choose just above 90 minutes and cost €27.90.

Naples: Campania’s chaotic heart

How prolonged to stay: 1 day

Head south from Rome and you will get there in Naples.

If you are worn out of trains, stop by Naples’ ports and forts. But if you’re up for extra excursions, Pompeii, Herculaneum and Mt Vesuvius really should prime your day-journey checklist.

How to get there: Slower trains Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale cost €14.90 for 2 hours

Bari: For basilicas and shorelines

How prolonged to continue to be: 2 times

Leap throughout the breadth of the state to explore the off-conquer location of Puglia. Come in this article for a lot less crowds, and continue to be for the foods and fascinating history.

For fairytale scenes, pay a visit to the close by towns of Alberobello and Polignano-A-Mare.

How to get there: Ditch the teach and choose the €10 mentor from Naples (Metropark Centrale) to Bari Centrale. It requires 3 hours.

How much will it all expense?

14 times to journey Italy by train will established you again just €95.40.

But really do not acquire our phrase for it, just do it.

Recommendations and methods on trains

In advance of you guide, there are a couple matters to take into consideration. EUrail and Trenitalia have their have train passes. While they may seem affordable and cheerful, they’ll essentially price upwards of €200 for the same vacation.

It’s much less expensive to e book different, normal and tremendous financial state tickets on the Trenitalia internet site. Trains can be booked weeks, times and hrs in progress.

They do offer out so snap up your voyage ASAP.

Make positive your tickets are validated way too. Right before boarding your practice, pop your ticket into the validation device found in ticket halls and platforms.

Other handy suggestions

Remain in hostel dorms and make your have meals to hold expenses reduced.

Slices of pizza, arancini balls and other avenue food items help you save on hard cash and foodstuff waste.

You can conserve your euros by refilling water bottles at drinking fountains all over Italy – if you see a neighborhood using a swig, it’s safe and sound.

And if you really do not want your eco-adventure to close, hop on a bus or ferry out of Bari on the previous day. Buses join Bari to Sicily, Milan and outside of, when a ferry will get you to Dubrovnik in Croatia in no time.