Transportation in Italy

Getting around Italy is generally easy and efficient, thanks to the country’s excellent rail network. But even though much of Italy is served by train, there are certainly plenty of towns which don’t have a train station. Your transportation options are listed below.

>> Need more help planning your trip to Italy? My first-time visitor’s guide should be just what you need!

In addition to the more general posts on different types of transportation you’ll find in Italy, I’ve also covered the best ways to get between specific places which may be useful to you.

• Getting from Italy’s airports into the closest cities isn’t always as straightforward as you might think. Here’s how to get from Fiumicino Airport in Rome into Rome, how to get from Malpensa Airport to Milan, and how to get from Venice Marco Polo Airport to Venice.
• The train is your best bet for some routes, like getting from Milan to Venice, getting from Rome to Florence, getting from the Cinque Terre to Florence, getting from Rome to Venice, or getting from Rome to the Cinque Terre.
• As much as I love the trains, it’s not always the best option for getting around Italy. Case in point? Getting from Florence to Siena and back.
• Italy’s got a lot of coastline, so it’s not surprising that some of the places you’ll want to go are best reached by boat - like getting from Naples to Sorrento.
• And if you’re trying to get to Italy from another country, here’s some information that might help: getting from Paris to Rome, getting from Greece to Italy, how to get from Italy to Croatia, and all of your options for how to get from Lyon to Milan.

Getting Around Italy By Train
Most of the country is served very well by the railway, and if your Italy trip will be keeping you in the bigger cities on the regular tourist path you will have no trouble getting from place to place using the trains. In fact, if your itinerary keeps you on the tourist path it’s advised that you stick with the train network and don’t even consider renting a car. It’s an incredibly economical way to get around, and the only hiccup will be if you’re “lucky enough” to visit during a train strike. If this happens, know that you’re not alone - and you’ll probably have some great stories to tell when you get home. Be sure to read our Italy Train Travel Guide for more information about using Italy’s rail network, and if you’re really pressed for time then check out the new Alta Velocita high-speed trains in Italy.

Getting Around Italy By Bus
Even if your route through Italy is concentrated in the bigger cities, for some routes it’s more efficient to take a bus than a train. For instance, the path from Florence to Siena is more quickly served by bus than the train, so that tends to be a common way to visit Siena - either on a day-trip or as a transfer. Many smaller towns which do not have train stations will have bus stops, so you’ll be able to get a little further off the beaten path if you go by bus than if you rely solely on trains. Bus schedules are significantly more malleable than train schedules, however, so be prepared to be a little flexible with your timing. Be sure to read our Italy Bus Travel Guide for more information about the various bus networks that serve Italian cities.

Getting Around Italy By Car
If you are planning to get really off the beaten path, or if you don’t have a set itinerary, or if you’re traveling as part of a small group, renting a car in Italy might be a good option. You can also rent a car for a portion of your trip, say for a day or two to drive through Tuscany, and then use the train for the rest. This is a particularly good option for those who aren’t excited about the idea of sharing the road with Italian drivers. City driving can be extremely frustrating, and finding parking in historic town centers even more so. In other words, while renting a car for certain parts of your trip or for trips through less-traveled parts of Italy is a great idea, renting a car to drive through Rome or Florence is not.

>> Find out more about driving in Italy before you hit the road.

Getting Around Italy By Boat
There are ferries connecting mainland Italy with its many islands, and even some ferries connecting the coastal towns. Some of these are equipped to take cars, many are not. Be sure you know which kind of boat you’re getting on before you show up at the dock.

Getting Around Specific Cities in Italy
For more information about how to get around in specific cities in Italy, check out Venice Transportation 101, Rome Transportation 101, taking the Milan Malpensa Express, and How to Use the Milan Metro. And look for more to come!