I live in Italy and use the train almost weekly. Italy is a beautiful country and much of its stunning landscapes can be seen by traveling by train. This guide is to help ease some of the stress of planning a trip by train. I will go over when not to take the train in Italy when it is important to book your train tickets ahead of time, where to book train tickets, and some tips for booking train tickets in Italy.
When to Not Take the Train in Italy
While Italy has a fantastic train system there are certain occasions when using other methods of transport is significantly better. Sometimes, flying or taking a bus is both cheaper as well as faster. This is especially true for some regional trains. For example from Florence to Siena, the train takes an hour and 34 minutes and drops you off outside of the city so you will either have to take a taxi or walk 30 mins to the city center. In contrast, the bus takes 75 minutes and drops you off right in the middle of the city. Google Maps is a fantastic app to use when comparing travel times because it has accurate times and gives you all transport options.
If you are traveling across Italy you can consider flying. Long-distance trains in Italy can get pretty expensive and you can get great deals on budget airlines in Europe. This is especially true if you are traveling to Sicily. There are trains that connect the main peninsula to Sicily but unless you are in the very south it would take a lot longer to get there.
The trains are far more comfortable than the bus. They are also a lot less hassle than having to go to an airport. I love taking the trains in Italy because you can get incredible views of the Italian countryside, as well as the coast. But if you want to save time and money it is important to consider all of your options.
When to Book Train Tickets Ahead of Time
A Lot of the time tourists get stressed out about booking train tickets and book them far in advance. This isn’t always necessary. To enjoy your travels being more flexible and booking train tickets last minute is a great option that comes with no cost.
For the majority of the time when traveling in Italy, you shouldn’t book your train tickets ahead of time. It is often best to book them once you get to the train station. This ensures that you are going to make it on time. Prices don’t change depending on when you book most Italian trains. This is true for almost all regional trains. For example, if you are traveling anywhere in Tuscany (Pisa, Florence, etc) you shouldn’t book your train ticket ahead of time. Problems may arise that could make missing your train easy. It is better to not stress out about making a train on time. Instead, just go to the train station and book when you get there.
In contrast, if you are traveling to a different Italian region or taking a high-speed train booking ahead is crucial. On these trains, you have assigned seats so if you want to sit next to someone or get a private seat you should book ahead. The price also fluctuates on these trains so the sooner you book the less expensive it will be. For example, if I was to book a train from Siena to Milan for tomorrow it would be 106.5 Euros and if I were to book it for a month from now it would be 37.4 Euros. The price almost triples! Not to mention that some of the trains for the next day were also sold out. Also many of the discounts that Trenitalia offers you have to reserve at least 6 days in advance to qualify. So whenever you are doing long-distance travel in Italy, book your train tickets ahead of time.
Where to Book Train Tickets
It is so important that you book your train tickets on Trenitalia or Italo. They both have websites and great apps that you can download on your phone. This allows you to see what times the trains are running and buy tickets. You can also download your tickets into your Apple wallet. This is great for when the ticket checkers come along because you don’t have to search through your bag or email for tickets. Sites like Omnio are great for comparing bus and train options, but when you book your tickets through third-party websites (like Omnio) you are paying them an extra fee. So booking directly with the train company is the way to go.
What to Know When Booking Train Tickets in Italy
When booking your train tickets there are some things that you should know. If you are not familiar with the train stations and systems in Italy I highly recommend that you look for tickets with the least amount of changes. While the train system is quite simple, making quick changes in a new place can be very stressful and frustrating. Especially because Italian trains are frequently delayed which can leave you with some really tight changes.
The train companies offer many discounts that are good to know. For example, if you are traveling with another person they offer a Me&You discount. You should book your tickets together and make sure that you select that offer because it can be as much as 50% off. Another thing to consider when booking train tickets is to check how much business class costs. Usually, it is only around 5 euros to upgrade. The business class has much nicer seats and it is less crowded so when the price is barely more you should always upgrade.
If you are wondering what to bring on your next train trip check out my train essentials here. I hope that this was helpful and you have a great time traveling in Italy!
Sarah 🙂
