Getting around Italy by air, bus and train
Italy's rail network is the backbone of longer journeys, while regional buses reach places beyond the tracks. Use the airport links, bus operators, train services and rail-pass rules below to plan each leg with the right ticket.
Arriving by air
Italy's main international gateways
Most nonstop flights from North America serve Rome's Aeroporto Internazionale Leonardo da Vinci, usually called Fiumicino (FCO), or Milan's Aeroporto Malpensa (MXP). Venice (VCE), Naples (NAP), Florence (FLR) and Bologna (BLQ) also receive some nonstop flights from the United States. Direct service can be found from New York (JFK and EWR), Boston (BOS), Philadelphia (PHL), Chicago (ORD), Detroit (DTW), Denver (DEN), Dallas (DFW), Houston (IAH), Washington DC (IAD), Miami (MIA), Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO).
| Origin | Approximate nonstop time |
|---|---|
| New York | 8-8½ hours |
| Chicago | 10-11 hours |
| Los Angeles | 11½ hours |
Nonstop airlines and route details
ITA Airways operates nonstop flights to Rome (FCO) from New York (JFK), Miami (MIA), Boston (BOS), Washington DC (IAD), Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO). It also flies nonstop to Milan (MXP) from New York (JFK). Some of these routes are seasonal, and some do not operate every day. Other airlines with nonstop service to Italy include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Norse Atlantic Airways, Emirates, Neos Air and La Compagnie.
Most airlines based in Europe also fly to Italy, connecting through their European hub airports.
Continue from the airport
Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, or FS, operates airport trains and buses to Rome's Termini station and to Milan's Cadorna or Centrale stations. From Milano Centrale or another main Milan station, onward trains can take you to destinations throughout Italy. The trip from Fiumicino to Roma Termini takes about 40 minutes. From Malpensa to Milano Centrale, allow less than an hour.
Regional and long-distance buses
Italy has a far-reaching regional bus network, often operated by private companies. It is not always as attractive as bus travel elsewhere in Europe because trains are convenient. Timetables are frequently designed around commuters and students and can be thin on weekends. Outside the main rail corridors, however, a regional bus may be the only practical way to reach an out-of-the-way place. Even when a train is available, a bus may be faster and more direct, so compare both schedules before deciding.
Regional operators to know
- ✦Busitalia-Sita Nord covers Tuscany, Umbria, Campania and the Veneto.
- ✦Sita Sud serves Puglia, Basilicata and Campania.
- ✦FlixBus offers a low-cost long-distance service.
Trains
High-speed and Intercity services
The fastest services of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) are the Frecciarossa trains. Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori (NTV), better known as Italo, is the privately owned competitor. Italo runs high-speed trains between all the major cities of northern Italy and continues as far south as Reggio Calabria.
| Service | Seat reservation | Fare and service detail |
|---|---|---|
| Frecciarossa and Italo | Mandatory | High-speed trains |
| Eurostar and Intercity (IC) | Mandatory | Intercity tickets cost about half as much as tickets for the faster trains |
| Regionale and Espresso | Not available | Slower, make more stops and cost less |
Buy and validate train tickets
Buy tickets from station machines or through Trenitalia. The Trenitalia app can keep the ticket on your phone and automatically validate it when the journey begins. Regionale and Espresso trains do not offer reservations. They are slower, stop more often and cost less. If you have a paper ticket, validate it before boarding by punching it in a yellow or green box mounted on a wall or pillar. If you forget, find a conductor immediately. Attempting to travel without a ticket can result in a fine of €50-€200.
When a rail pass is worthwhile
A rail pass can save money on train travel. It generally makes more sense when your itinerary includes frequent long-distance trips on high-speed trains. Even with a pass, you must reserve a seat on services where reservations are required.