Contents 6
Two carriers
Trenitalia is the state operator and has everything: high-speed, intercity and regional trains across the country.
Italo is private, high-speed only and between major cities only. Often cheaper and always newer.
On popular routes such as Rome — Florence — Venice they compete, and both are worth comparing. Buy on the carriers’ own sites: intermediaries add commission and almost never show the family fares.
Four kinds of train, and the difference matters
| Type | What it is | Seat | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frecce (Frecciarossa, Argento, Bianca) | high-speed, between major cities | reserved, shown on the ticket | dynamic, rises towards the date |
| Italo | the same with the private carrier | reserved | dynamic |
| Intercity | intercity, slower and cheaper | reserved | moderate |
| Regionale | local trains within a region | no reservations | fixed, always the same |
The practical conclusion: buy high-speed tickets early — the price rises as seats sell, and the difference between buying a month ahead and a day ahead can be double. Buying regional tickets early is pointless: they always cost the same and no seats are reserved anyway.
Family fares: where half the money hides
This is the main reason to read this article.
FrecciaFAMILY is a fare on Trenitalia’s high-speed trains: children under 15 travel free and adults pay half. The conditions:
- a group of 2 to 5 people;
- at least one adult and at least one child under 15;
- bought no later than midnight 15 days before departure.
That last point is the catch: a week before the trip the fare is no longer available. So family tickets on the Frecce are planned before anything else.
Bimbi Gratis is the same on Intercity trains: children under 15 free, adults 40% off. The group is also 2 to 5 people.
Italo Family is the private carrier’s version: children under 14 travel free and adults pay 50% less. The group is 2 to 4 people with at least one adult, Smart class only.
Do the maths for a family of four: Rome to Florence on a Frecciarossa at the basic fare means four tickets. With FrecciaFAMILY it is two adults at half price and two children free. The saving is more than the one-way journey costs.
What you are fined for: an unvalidated ticket
The most expensive mistake a visitor makes in Italy — and the most annoying, because you have the ticket and you paid for it.
A paper ticket for a regional train with no date on it must be validated before boarding, in the green-and-white machine on the platform. An unvalidated ticket counts as no ticket at all, and the fine is issued on the spot, with no discussion.
When you do not need to validate: if the ticket is electronic, if it shows a date and departure time, or if you have a reserved seat on a high-speed train. The rule applies to exactly one situation — a paper regional ticket.
What to know when travelling with children
- Nobody weighs your luggage. There are no airline-style limits, but there are few racks: on high-speed trains suitcase space is by the doors and overhead, and at peak times it fills quickly. Do not board last.
- The Frecce have quiet carriages. Better not to sit there with a child: silence really is expected.
- Regional trains are sometimes double-decker. The upper deck is free entertainment for half an hour on a short hop.
- A pushchair is not a problem on a train. Nobody asks you to fold it on the train.
How long the journeys take
- Rome — Florence: from 1 h 32 min on a high-speed train.
- Rome — Naples: about 1 h 10 min.
- Rome — Venice: about 3 h 45 min.
- Rome — Milan: about 3 hours.
With children this is the main argument for the train: three hours in a seat with the freedom to get up and walk about is far easier than the same three hours of flying with a connection and security.
We run quest tours for children in Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan — if the train is taking you between those cities, have a look at our routes in Italy. And city transport within Rome is covered separately: the Rome metro, tickets and opening hours.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I buy train tickets in Italy
On the carriers’ own sites and apps — Trenitalia and Italo. Intermediaries add commission and often do not offer the family fares. The ticket arrives by email; there is no need to print it.
Do children travel free on trains
With the FrecciaFAMILY fare on high-speed trains children under 15 travel free and adults pay half. It works for a group of 2–5 with at least one adult and one child under 15, bought no later than 15 days before departure.
How does a Frecciarossa differ from a regional train
In speed, price and rules. The high-speed train does Rome to Florence in an hour and a half, the seat is reserved and the price rises as seats sell. The regional train takes twice as long, costs a fixed amount and reserves no seats.
Do I need to validate my train ticket in Italy
For regional trains with a paper ticket and no date, yes — in the green-and-white machine on the platform. An unvalidated ticket counts as no ticket and the fine is issued on the spot. Electronic tickets and reserved high-speed seats need no validation.
How far ahead should I buy train tickets
For high-speed trains, early: the price is dynamic and rises as the train fills, with a two- or threefold difference between early and late. Regional tickets can be bought on the day — they always cost the same.
