Interrailing Italy: Ultimate Guide and Route (2023)
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Looking to travel Italy by train? Yay! Interrailing Italy is one of the best summer European trips, and you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime!
Whilst Italy is one of my favourite countries in Europe, it’s also one of the easiest to travel by train. And there are plenty of towns, villages, cities and coastlines to visit, so spending a few weeks travelling around is the European summer of dreams.
In the following post, I outline the best interrailing Italy routes and itineraries, and how to squeeze some of the most beautiful Italy destinations into your trip.
🚝 Need to buy your interrailing pass? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!
🗺️ Interrailing Europe this summer? You might also like…
- Backpacking Europe: A Beginners Step-by-Step Guide
- What To Pack Interrailing Europe: Packing List Essentials
- Interrailing Routes 3 Weeks: FOUR Routes You’ll Love!
Interrailing Italy: A Summary
Interrailing Italy is straightforward, as their train system is one of the best in Europe. But, here are a few extra things to bear in mind when you are planning your trip:
🚇 The rail network in Italy connects the entire country. So if you’re worried about being able to get from A to B, don’t be! Even smaller, ‘off the beaten track’ villages and towns will have a train station. Regional trains and night trains are available in most major cities.
🚌 Journeys around Italy can also be made by bus. If you have a section of a journey that cannot be made by train, the FlixBus can be used for inter-city routes.
🇮🇹 The interrailing pass will include all trains in Italy, including Le Freece high-speed trains (although you’ll need a reservation), Trenitalia and Trenord.
🚝 You must make a seat reservation for high-speed trains, even with an interrailing pass. Seat reservations are usually around 10 EUR. This can be done on the interrailing website or at the train station. You can guarantee your seat easily there for either high-speed trains or regional trains.
Where to stay when interrailing Italy
Whilst there will be many hostels all over Italy to stay in as a backpacker, these are some of the best. All of the hostels listed are perfect for solo travellers and couples who are looking to meet other backpackers whilst interrailing Italy.
🇮🇹 Rome: Hostel Trustever ➡ BOOK NOW
🇮🇹 Naples: Ostello Bello ➡ BOOK NOW
🇮🇹 Rome: The Rome Hello BOOK NOW
🇮🇹 Florence: Santa Monaca ➡ BOOK NOW
🇮🇹 Milan: Ostello Bello ➡ BOOK NOW
🇮🇹 Positano: Hostel Brikette ➡ BOOK NOW
🇮🇹 Venice: WE_Crociferi ➡ BOOK NOW
🇮🇹 Naples: Hostel of the Sun ➡ BOOK NOW
🇮🇹 Rome: Yellow Square Hostel ➡ BOOK NOW
🇮🇹 Venice: Anda Venice ➡ BOOK NOW
🇮🇹 Bologna: WE_Bologna ➡ BOOK NOW
Interrailing Italy: Route 1
🇮🇹 Duration: Two weeks
🚇 Four locations in Italy: Naples – Rome – Florence – Bologna
If you’re interrailing Italy for two weeks, this is a good route to see some of the best sights in Italy. As Italy’s train network is quick and easy to use, you will be able to see some of the best cities the country has to offer in a short amount of time.
This interrailing Italy route starts in Naples. If you can, fly directly to there to cut out any extra train time from your home country. In Naples, you can spend a day or two exploring Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii. If you have time (and budget), you can take the one-hour train from Naples to the Amalfi Coast for a day or overnight trip.
The train between Naples and Rome is around 1.5 hours, so if you start your journey early in the morning, you can have some extra time in Rome, Italy’s capital city, and one of the most visited places in the country.
From there, you can travel to Florence. There are a few different trains between Rome and Florence; either fast or slow, so be sure to check beforehand. The fast train takes just under 1.5 hours, whereas the slow train takes over three hours.
Finally, you’ll end your interrailing trip to Bologna. From Florence, the train to Bologna should take under 90 minutes. Either fly home from Bologna Airport, or book onward train travel from there.
➡ Don’t forget to pre-book your accommodation! You can check out the best hostels in Italy here.
| Tip
🎫 I recommend to get a city pass to save up to 50% on entry tickets and activities in Rome.
Interrailing Italy: Route 2
🇮🇹 Duration: Three weeks
🚇 Six locations in Italy: Naples – Rome – Florence – Milan – Verona – Venice
Interrailing Italy for three weeks is an ideal amount of time. From the famous Italian cities to the Italian coast and beaches of Sorrento, this is my favourite interrailing Italy route.
For this interrailing route, start in Naples. Again, this is a great starting point, as you can take a day trip to the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento or Positano. Similar to route one, you can then continue on to Rome, and Florence; where you can take a day trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
From Florence, it’s a four-hour train to Milan, one of Italy’s biggest cities. If you’d still like to see more of Italy, you can head west to Verona, a romantic, colourful city along the Adige River.
Finally, your interrailing trip will end in Venice. A must-see place in Italy for all first-timers, you can get lost amongst the maze of cobbled streets and iconic canals. Fly home from Venice, or book onward travel to your next location.
⭐ Top-rated experiences in Venice
- Explore the highlights of the city
- Visit Doge’s Palace
- Experience a gondola ride along the most beautiful part of the Grand Canal
Interrailing Italy: Route 3
🇮🇹 Duration: Four weeks
🚇 Eight locations in Italy: Naples – Rome – Florence – Bologna – Milan – Verona – Venice – Turin
For the final interrailing route, you will need at least four weeks. This busy plan visits at least eight locations in Italy, and if you want to take a day or overnight trip to the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, Cinque Terre or Sorrento, you may end up visiting over ten Italian locations during your visit!
Start your interrailing Italy trip in Naples. Here you can visit Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast and some of the other surrounding villages. Next, take the 1.5-hour train to Rome, and spend a few days enjoying the famous landmarks in the capital city.
From Rome, head to Florence and Bologna, both only a few hour’s train away. From Bologna, your next stop is Milan, which can be visited for a few days as a city break, or even extended to add in a few days at Lake Como.
Finally, finish by visiting the canals of Venice, and onwards to Turin, one of the prettiest cities in Northern Italy.
Interrailing Italy: Average train durations
Below I have listed some of the longer (or more frequently used) train duration times for your interrailing Italy trip.
Naples > Rome: 1.5 hours
Rome > Florence: 2 hours
Florence > Pisa: 1.5 hours
Florence > Cinque Terre: 3 hours
Bologna > Venice: 1 hour 45 minutes
Venice > Milan: 4 hours
Bologna > Milan: 1.5 hours
Milan > Verona: 2.5 hours
➡ Don’t forget to pre-book your accommodation! You can check out the best hostels in Italy here.
Night trains whilst interrailing Italy
Whilst interrailing Italy, there may be times you need to take the night train. The Intercity Notte is the main night train, and it runs every night. It’s included in the interrailing pass, but you need to book a seat in advance. Don’t forget to reserve a bed, which will be an additional 40 EUR. However, you won’t need to book a night’s accommodation, so this may save you money.
🚇 The main Italy night train route is: Milan – Genova – Pisa – Livorno – Salerno – Catania.
➡ Don’t forget to pre-book your accommodation! You can check out the best hostels in Italy here.
Useful Phrases for Interrailing Italy
Make sure you don’t get confused with Italian vocabulary whilst boarding the trains! Here are a few useful phrases to remember whilst travelling between Italian cities:
🚇 Train: il treno
🎫 Ticket: biglietto
🚝 Train station: stazione dei treni
👨🏼💼Ticket office: la biglietteria
🚇 Platform: binario
🚃 Carriage: la carrozza
💺Seat: posti
🙋🏼♀️ Arrivals: arrive
👋🏼 Departures: partenze
➡ Need to hire a car in Italy? We rent our cars all over Europe from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! 🚗 LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES NOW!
Benefits of having an interrailing pass in Italy
If you buy an interrailing pass to travel around Italy, you’re not just buying a train ticket. With your pass, you get a number of discounts that you can use across the country.
- Bologna welcome card: If you’re visiting Bologna, you can get 10% off museum visits and city tours with your interrailing pass.
- FREE OBB bus travel in Italy (if you have a Global interrailing pass).
- Up to 20% discount on ferries across the country, and between Italy, Greece and Croatia.
- Special discounts on City Sightseeing buses in cities.
NOTE: Benefits change according to the country you’re in. These are listed for Italy interrail route only.
Interrailing Italy: FAQs
1) What is interrailing?
Interrailing is a great way to see Europe on a budget. Interrail passes are available for people of all ages, and they allow you to travel on any day of the week. You can also travel on multiple trains per day, making it easy to explore different countries and cities all in one single trip.
Interrail passes are valid for a certain number of days, so you can tailor your trip to your own needs. Plus, if you’re under 27 years old or under, you can get a special Youth Interrail pass that’s even cheaper!
Global passes for interrailing are the best way to see Europe – and they’re not as complicated or expensive as you might think. With a global pass, you can hop on a train and explore up to 33 different countries in Europe. There are different types of global passes to choose from, so you can tailor your trip to exactly what you want.
Whether you’re looking to backpack Europe for a week or a month, interrailing is a great option. Just be sure to check the rules and regulations before you go so that you can make the most of your trip.
Not sure whether the interrailing pass is worth it? Check out my detailed guide on interrailing passes here.
2) What do I need to pack for an interrailing trip?
Need a full packing list for interrailing Italy? Check out my detailed packing guide here.
3) What are some of the best locations to visit whilst interrailing Italy?
Whether you’re interested in exploring the country’s vibrant cities or the Italian countryside, there are a lot of beautiful places to explore in Italy! Let’s take a look at some of the best Italian cities that can be accessed via train.
➡ Want to know more about some of Italy’s famous landmarks? Check them out here!
Rome
If you’re interrailing around Italy, one of the best places to visit is Rome. As the country’s capital, Rome is full of historical landmarks and cultural attractions. From the Colosseum to the Vatican, there’s plenty to see and do. And with an interrail pass, you can easily venture outside of the city and explore some of Italy’s other highlights.
Don’t forget to visit the Colosseum; the ancient Roman stadium is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, and it’s an incredible piece of history that you won’t want to miss! And if you have some spare time, visit the Roman Forum and take a food tour! There are also plenty of food tours available that will take you to all the best places to eat in Rome.
If you’re interrailing and staying in Rome, the best hostels include Hostel Trustever, The Rome Hello and Yellow Square Hostel (which is Rome’s biggest party hostel). You can find out more and book your stay here!
Naples
Naples is beautiful. Take a stroll through Spaccanapoli – one of the most beautiful and historic streets in the city and visit the Piazza del Gesù. Then head over to the Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, a street lined with grand old buildings, charming cafes and lively market stalls. It’s the perfect place to get a taste of traditional Neapolitan life!
If you have time, visit the Naples National Archaeological Museum – one of the largest and most important museums in Italy. And finally, no trip to Naples would be complete without indulging in some authentic, Italian pizza. Yummm.
🍕 If you prefer to be more hands-on, you can actually learn how to make the famous Naples pizzas yourself! Book the masterclass here.
If you’re interrailing and staying in Naples, the best hostels include Tric Trac Hostel, Ostello Bello, NAP and Hostel of the Sun. You can find out more and book your stay here!
Florence
Florence is another amazing location to add to your Italian bucket list. Once you’ve visited all the major sights – the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, the Boboli Gardens – you can climb to the top of Giotto’s bell tower for breathtaking views of the city, or stroll across the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence.
And of course, don’t forget to try some of the city’s renowned gelato – there are said to be over 500 flavours to choose from! – or enjoy a traditional Florentine steak (if you’re not a veggie like me).
If you’re interrailing and staying in Florence, the best hostels include Ostello Del Bigallo, Leonardo House, Yellow Square Florence and Ostello Bello Firenze. You can find out more and book your stay here!
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is one of the most beautiful places in Italy, and it’s a perfect interrailing stop or day trip. The views are incredible, and there are plenty of things to do. There are direct trains from Genoa, La Spezia, and Pisa, or you can take a regional train from Milan and Florence.
There are lots of things to do in Cinque Terre, from hiking, swimming, kayaking, and just relaxing on the beach. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars, so you can try some of the local food and wine. If you’re on a budget, buy some cheap food at the supermarket and take it to the beach for a picnic!
There are a few hostels to choose from in Cinque Terre, with the best being either Hostel Ospitalia del Mare, Ostello Corniglia and Vanna. But you can read the reviews and find out more about the Cinque Terre hostels here!
Verona
The last Italian highlight I want to mention is Verona. Accessed easily from Milan, it’s one of my favourite places in Italy. It’s known for its Roman arena, the Verona Arena, built in the 1st century A.D. and capable of holding 22,000 spectators! It’s now often used for live music and theatre events.
It’s also associated with William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet; as legend has it that the lovers were based on two real-life young people whose graves lie side by side in a local churchyard. If you’re a Shakespeare fan, you can visit Juliet’s House, which is said to be where Shakespeare’s fictional character lived.
If you’re interrailing and staying in Verona, some of the best hostels are The Hostello, Gabanel Bike, Arena B&B and Locazione Turistica Cittadella. Check out all of the hostels in Verona here.
4) How do I book tickets to interrail Italy?
Once you’ve bought your interrailing pass and have a destination plan, you can book your seat reservations. Your interrail pass is activated when you reach the first location that isn’t your home country/city.
Have a look at Interrail’s train timetable to find times and destinations. Most trains will require a seat reservation (especially high-speed and sleeper trains). Slower train seat reservations are usually cheaper, or in some cases, free. You can also book your seat on italiarail.com, where you can avoid interrail fees.
➡ Need to hire a car in Italy? We rent our cars all over Europe from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! 🚗 LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES NOW!
5) What tours should I do in Italy?
Looking to book a tour whilst interrailing Italy? Tours are one of the best ways to see the hidden gems of the country you are visiting. If you’re travelling during peak season, I highly recommend pre-booking your tours to ensure you don’t miss out!
When travelling, we use this company to book our tours. Tours include skip-the-line tickets to the world’s most iconic attractions, walking tours by top local experts, immersive food and beverage tours, cooking and craft classes, bucket list experiences, and niche offerings you won’t find anywhere else! ➡ You can check out available tours in the Italy with prices here!
6) Do I need a SIM card to visit Italy?
If you’re not from Italy, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive.
ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing! Plus, there are eSIMs available for the entire continent of Europe, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!
Interrailing Italy: In a Nutshell
Well, you’ve made it! Everything you need to know about interrailing Italy and travelling around Italy by train. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me on Instagram or leave a comment below!
🚝 Need to buy your interrailing pass? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!
Happy travelling!
Jennie 🙂 x
Like this post? You might also like…
- Interrailing Routes 3 Weeks: FOUR Routes You’ll Love!
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- Backpacking Europe: A Beginners Step-by-Step Guide
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MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
