The Frecciarossa from Trenitalia in Milan
From our editorial team
Anyone who gets involved with the Italian railway system is usually surprised: unlike Germany, Italy has one of the most modern and fastest high-speed networks in Europe.
While people in Germany stare anxiously at the departure display, Italian rail travellers lean back and relax - there is also a large portion of dolce vita on the rails. Italy is one of the pioneers in European high-speed rail travel: trains reliably speed through the country at speeds of up to 400 kilometres per hour. The country has been investing heavily in the expansion of its high-speed railway lines since the 2000s. The high-speed trains are operated by two companies: "Le Frecce" from Trenitalia, the state-owned railway company, and Italo, its private competitor. The latter runs on the routes from Milan to Salerno and from Turin to Venice. The sleek trains are visually eye-catching, but also offer comfort on the inside - spacious seats, stable Wi-Fi, air conditioning and often a restaurant car.
From Milan to Naples in four hours
The most important network runs from Milan to Salerno and connects the country's most important cities. You can travel across the country from Milan to Naples in four and a half hours for around 40 euros. The earlier you book, the cheaper the ticket.
The Rome - Naples route takes a good hour on the express train and costs just under 20 euros, while the journey from Florence to Venice takes just over two hours for 25 euros. Italian trains are remarkably punctual: the doors close one to two minutes before departure, which significantly reduces delays. If you are not travelling from metropolis to metropolis but want to discover rural Italy, you will have to change to a regional train - and that is an experience in itself.
Regional train adventure in Italy
Not every train in Italy is a high-tech marvel. If you are travelling to smaller towns or want to travel through more remote regions, you can hop on one of the many regional trains - and experience a completely different everyday rail experience. Unlike the tightly organised high-speed connections, regional trains in Italy are a little adventure. They stop at every small station and the carriages can range from "brand new with Wi-Fi" to "historic without air conditioning".
Things get particularly exciting in summer: some older models don't have working air conditioning, but instead have a sauna feeling, including sticky seats. On the other hand, regional trains are ridiculously cheap and wonderfully uncomplicated. While high-speed trains are tied to fixed seat reservations, the rule on regional trains is: get on and sit wherever there is space. Tickets are often valid for several hours. A real highlight is the legendary Circumvesuviana, which connects Naples with Pompeii and Sorrento. A ticket to Pompeii costs 3.30 euros and the journey takes half an hour. The train is often full, hot and noisy - but with spectacular views.
