Italy’s best train rides to take this summer

Forget the Vespa. In Italy, train journeys skip the hassle of navigating a vehicle on narrow streets and chaotic highways to connect major European hubs, Italian hot spots and off-the-beaten-path villages.

When I lived in Sicily, I traveled exclusively by train throughout the region and the country, experimenting with nearly every form of rail travel, from the high-speed Frecciarossa routes to old-school, barely hanging-on carriages. Along the way, I learned to always validate my printed tickets, download the Trainline app for e-tickets and timetables, and brace myself for the unexpected – Italian transit notoriously operates on its own timing, whether a train is running 5 minutes late or a no-show entirely. 

Yet even with its hiccups, Italy’s rail system offers some of the world’s most epic train trips, showcasing everything from Tuscany’s rolling hills to Mt Etna’s striking silhouette. These recommendations for the best Italian rail routes range from new and ultra-luxe to classic and casual. Both styles not only satisfy transportation logistics but provide experiences in their own right.

1. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to the Amalfi Coast 

Best for opulence

Route: Paris to Ravello
Distance: 1666km
Duration: Approximately 72 hours, including both day and overnight stops
Highlight: Pausing in Pompeii for an archaeological detour

It is the Agatha Christie glamour but none of the murder. The latest in a roster of high-end Belmond-branded Venice Simplon-Orient-Express routes, this 3-night trip from Paris to the Amalfi Coast launched in May in conjunction with Belmond’s villeggiatura line, a nod to Italy’s philosophy of ritualistic, slow summer getaways. 

This route certainly fulfills the promise, as each £8600 ticket includes train travel, overnight hotels, food and beverage services, and excursions; the train not only stops for a tour of Pompeii but also lets passengers pick between two Day 3 outings: a Positano boat cruise or Caruso painting class. If you like the sound of this train, Belmond runs additional trips from Paris to Venice, Florence and Portofino, so you can travel in style to Italy’s glitziest locales. 

Make it happen: Belmond runs this route on a limited schedule, so register your interest to receive notifications of future travel. When the trip arrives, make sure to bring your fashion A game; Belmond requests formal evening attire for all dinners and prohibits jeans throughout the trip. 

2. La Dolce Vita Orient Express from Rome to Tuscany

Best for foodies and aspiring sommeliers  

Route: Rome to Grosseto
Distance: 149km
Duration: 5 hours
Highlight: Dining on a multicourse, three-Michelin-starred feast as you clatter between vineyards and olive trees

You can’t go wrong with any route from La Dolce Vita Orient Express, as each utilizes a historic train, whose artfully designed interior matches the caliber of the evolving landscapes. The operator has dozens of Italy itineraries, most of which follow days-long, overnight schedules. For a shorter ride that packs all the elegance, look no further than this new culinary-focused route from Rome to Grosseto. Dubbed the Gourmet Escape to Tuscany, this daily journey delivers passengers from Rome's Ostiense station to the cusp of Tuscan wine country, with Michelin-starred food and local wines served along the way. La dolce vita, indeed.

Make it happen: Call the train operator ahead of time to book your journey, and when the day arrives, head to the station early. Your train ticket guarantees access to La Dolce Vita's lounge, so you can kick off your culinary odyssey with a frothy cappuccino or perhaps something a little stronger.

3. Trenitalia Intercity from Catania to Calabria

Best for coastal views

Route: Catania to Villa San Giovanni
Distance: 93km
Duration: Roughly 3 hours
Highlight: Crossing the Strait of Messina to straddle two Italian regions

This Trenitalia Intercity route from Catania to Villa San Giovanni is by no means Italy’s most glamorous set of tracks – but it sure is an adventure. While you can catch the train from Sicily to Calabria in any major Sicilian city, you’ll ideally start your journey in Catania and snag a seat on the train’s left-hand side. For the first half of the journey, you’ll snake along the outer edge of Mt Etna, gaining view after view of the ever-active volcano. The last time I took this train, a flock of flamingos made an appearance, escorting me from the island in a flurry of new landscapes and life.

The route’s true star, however, materializes after Messina, when the train glides onto the ferry — and you step outside for your first glimpses of mainland Italy. Grab an arancino (rice ball) from the ferry cafeteria and watch as the Strait of Messina gives way to your next Italian region. 

Make it happen: Plan your departure with daylight on your side, so you can actually see the views. Check if your train ticket includes ferry access when booking, since some tickets require an additional purchase. Train tickets start at around €10. 

4. The Railway of Wonders from Turin to the Italian Riviera

Best for Northern Italy

Route: Turin to Imperia
Distance: 134km
Duration: Just under 5 hours
Highlight: The thrilling mountain ascent from Cuneo 

This Northern Italian odyssey starts in Turin and leads you through the Maritime Alps en route to the Ligurian Coast. Along the way, you’ll gain a newfound appreciation for underrated corners of Italy’s Turin, Piedmont and Liguria regions. Beyond the wide-ranging scenery of tunnels, viaducts, and both coastal and mountain vantage points, the train’s historic Centoporte carriages take center stage; in partnership with Italy’s FS Treni Turistici endeavors, the train dates back to the 1930s, transporting passengers in both space and time. 

Make it happen: This route begins service in July and runs on select Saturdays and Sundays through September, with additional December dates. For announcements about additional routes, monitor FS Treni Turistici's website. It has previously offered routes like the Espresso Salento from Rome to Lecce and the Espresso Cadore from Rome to the Dolomites, so you never know what seasonal options may arise.

5. Ferrovia Circumetnea around Mt Etna

Best for volcano views 

Route: Catania to Randazzo to Catania
Distance: 110km
Duration: Approximately 4 hours
Highlight: Watching Mt Etna come into focus as you veer closer to the volcano

A train that circles the base of the world’s most active stratovolcano? Hop aboard Sicily’s Ferrovia Circumetnea, a roughly €13 train route that loops around Mt Etna, Sicily’s leading lady. This 19th-century train line traverses the circumference of the volcano’s slopes, showcasing the Mediterranean’s highest island mountain without the need to hike or ride the cable car. Further enhancing Ferrovia Circumetnea’s allure, the train makes multiple stops, so you can check out volcanic towns and their claims to fame.

If this route leaves you enamored with volcano-adjacent trains, tack on a visit to Naples for another eruptive option: the Mt Vesuvius-adjacent Circumvesuviana.

Make it happen: To make the most out of this trip, visit passing villages like Bronte, the island’s pistachio haven. Just make sure to time your stops accordingly — perhaps ask the conductor or station personnel for updated timetables — as Sicilian trains tend to follow unreliable or out-of-date schedules. 

6. Trenino Verde in Sardinia

Best for short sightseeing 

Route: Arbatax to Lanusei
Distance: 22km
Duration: 90 minutes
Highlight: Climbing narrow mountain stretches for sea views

British author DH Lawrence immortalized Italy’s Trenino Verde (Green Train) route in his travelogue Sea and Sardinia, grounding this Sardinian train in a literary legacy. More than 100 years since the book’s publication, the train line upholds its poetic reputation, directing passengers along Sardinia’s craggy coastline and over dramatic green mountains, narrow bridges and immersive ascents.

The pinnacle of slow travel, Trenino Verde coincides with multiple routes, including the brief but impactful Arbatax to Lanusei journey, which consolidates Sardinia’s vast natural features into one sweeping outing. If you’d rather a longer train ride, popular options include trips from Mandas to Laconi and Luras to Tempio Pausania. 

Make it happen: This route only runs on Fridays, so plan accordingly to circumvent disappointment. When booking on the Trenino Verde website, you can reserve either a straightforward train ticket or a full-day guided tour, which includes destination experiences.