How to Travel Around Italy: Train vs Car For an Amazing Trip

Dreaming of winding through Tuscan hills, top down and gelato in hand? Or speeding from Rome to Venice with time to spare for a spritz? Choosing how to travel around Italy – by train or by car – can make or break your trip, especially if you’ve only got a few days.

I’ve travelled Italy both ways many times. I’ve gone by rail on solo city breaks, and by road with friends chasing lesser-known scenic sights. Both methods of transport have their perks and pitfalls. But which one will suit your travel style better, and save you time, stress, and money?

In this guide, I’ll share exactly when to take the train, when to rent a car, and valuable tips on how to dodge costly mistakes like ZTL fines, missed tolls, or sold-out rail tickets. Let my experience get you moving smartly, smoothly, and in true Italian style.

Understanding Italy’s Travel Landscape

Terrain and Distance Challenges

Italy mixes flat plains, steep hills, and winding mountain roads. Travelling by car is the only way to reach remote spots like the Amalfi Coast and parts of the Tuscan countryside. And you can stop along the way to see less touristy spots and admire the view.

But for long haul travel between major cities, that’s when trains shine. In Italy, more than 16,000 kilometres of tracks connect 90% of major towns, offering a frequent, reliable network of connections.

Cost Breakdown Basics

Choosing whether to drive in Italy or take the train during your stay might come down to your budget.

Both have upfront fees. Train tickets start at €10 for short trips when booked in advance, where as car rental, fuel and tolls average about €50 per day.

If you’re travelling solo or as a pair, train travel is likely going to work out cheaper. And options like the Interrail One Country Pass can work out as little as €38 per day, offering a worthwhile saving for those who like a packed itinerary.

But if you’re travelling as a small group of three to five people, then car hire is probably going to be more cost-effective when the cost is split.

Pros and Cons of Train Travel

Key Advantages

Train travel in Italy offers speed and ease. High-speed lines like Frecciarossa hit 300 km/h, cutting the travel time from Rome to Milan to under 3 hours and Milan to Venice in just over two hours. That’s barely enough time to get comfortable, eat your lunch and listen to your favourite Taylor Swift playlist!

Here are some key advantages to travelling Italy by train:

• Reliability: Italy boasts a 67% on-time rate for trains, although in recent years it has started trailing behind other EU countries.
• Eco-friendly: Train travel is more sustainable, reducing carbon emissions by 80% compared to driving solo.
• Safer: Accidents on Italy’s rail network are incredibly rare, so you can sit back and relax as you travel between locations. Ideal if you’re lacking sleep, or had one too many Aperol Spritz cocktails!

Common Drawbacks

Catching a train in Italy does mean limited access to smaller villages and towns, and there’s no flexibility for spontaneous stops. You can only sigh as you catch a glimpse of that scenic view from the window, if it isn’t hidden behind trees!

Here are some common drawbacks to touring Italy by train:

• Crowds: Peak summer months see 20% more passengers, leading to packed train cars, especially on popular routes such as Lake Como and Portofino. Packed spaces are for sardines, not people! Busier trains are also a magnet for pickpockets.
• Luggage limits: Luggage storage can be limited, especially within sight. Smaller bags that can be stowed overhead or by your feet make train travel easier. If you’re used to flying with Ryanair, you’ve already nailed it!
• Cost: Tickets can be expensive if you’re buying at short notice, and trains can (and do) sell out. I witnessed this personally during my train journey to Portofino. Book tickets in advance to secure your journey and seat reservation at the best price – I use Omio for digital tickets and real-time updates when in Italy.
• Fines: You can be hit with a financial penalty if you don’t activate your train ticket before boarding (easy to forget), or if the name on your ticket doesn’t match your ID.

Best Train Routes in Italy to Try

If you’re in need of Italian train travel inspiration, here are some of my favourite rail routes. These are also perfect for first time visitors to Italy, to maximise your trip:

• Rome to Milan: From the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain to the Duomo. High-speed direct trains are frequent, with the fastest journey time taking 2 hours and 50 minutes.
• Milan to Venice: Swap Italy’s fashion capital for canals and gondolas! You’ll travel at speeds of up to 155mph, covering the 173-mile journey in just over 2 hours on the quickest service.
• The bullet train north-to-south network runs between Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples and Salerno. A second line connects Turin, Milan, Verona and Venice. With just one change, or completing a journey by bus, the possibilities are almost endless!

Pros and Cons of Car Travel

Key Advantages

Driving in Italy offers flexibility and convenience. You set the timetable, allowing you to explore at your own pace. And you can change your plans whenever you like – yes, emergency gelato is a good reason!

It’s also fairly easy if you have experience of driving abroad, especially if you’re mainly using the open highways – which thanks to the tolls, are well maintained. I very recently drove from Bologna to San Marino, and back, and it was quite enjoyable.

My key advantages to travelling around Italy by road include:

• Scenic drives: The Amalfi Coast SS163 road is so beautiful that it draws 5 million visitors each year.
• Group perks: Splitting the costs of driving between four people can drop individual expenses considerably.
• Rural escapes: Renting a car means you can access some stunning countryside locations, experiences and accommodation that can’t be reached by public transport.

Common Drawbacks

Driving abroad – if you don’t do it often – can be stressful, especially when you’re not used to driving on the right or you’re not the most confident driver. In my experience, Italian drivers can be quite assertive, and typically don’t stick to the speed limits (unless passing under an enforcement camera).

Combine that with road signs you don’t understand, rules you weren’t aware of and heavy fines for breaking them, it can suddenly seem like more hassle than it’s worth.

Here are some of the common disadvantages I’ve found with driving in Italy:

• Fuel and fees: Petrol is pricey due to high fuel taxes, costing about €1.71 per litre at the pump. Tolls average about €9 per 100km of motorway, but can cost as much as €45 on routes like Milan to Rome.
• Parking woes: Finding a spot to safely leave your car can be tricky, and expensive. In major cities like Florence, car parks can charge €25 per day. And you’ll still have a fair walk to reach the centre.
• Zone confusion: Many historic city centres are ZTL, or Limited Traffic Zones, and access is restricted to protect historic buildings and reduce pollution. It’s easy to miss a sign and cross the boundary by mistake, but the cameras won’t miss you, and a fine will almost certainly follow. I’ve done it myself in Lucca, and had to pay a €100 penalty, plus the €45 administration fee the car rental firm added on for the pleasure of forwarding it on!

Best routes in Italy to drive

Here are my three favourite incredible Italian road routes where driving genuinely beats the train. These journeys are perfect for travellers who, like me, are short on time but still want that wow factor.

• The Amalfi Coast (Sorrento – Positano – Amalfi – Ravello): This iconic coastal drive gives turquoise sea on one side and pastel villages clinging to cliffs on the other. Trains don’t run along this stretch, but driving gives you freedom to stop at viewpoints or hidden beaches. Go early when its quietest.
• Tuscany’s Wine Country (Florence – Chianti – Siena – Val d’Orcia): This route winds through rolling hills, vineyards, and medieval villages. Stop for wine tastings or to picnic among the vines. Trains connect Florence and Siena, but miss all the beautiful locations in between.
• The Dolomites Loop (Bolzano – Ortisei – Cortina d’Ampezzo – Lake Misurina): The mountain scenery is breathtaking, with jagged peaks, mirror lakes, and alpine meadows. Public transport here is slow and patchy, but with a car, you can chase sunrise views and stop for short hikes. It’s spectacular.

Comparing Train vs Car Head-to-Head

Time and Convenience Factors

Trains win for urban links, and cars are typically best for countryside routes. But check both options on Google Maps, as sometimes travel times can surprise you.

For example, I drove from Bologna’s airport to San Marino as it typically takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes compared to almost 3 hours by train then bus. But for other journeys, the train can be quicker.

Cost and Group Size Comparison

Solo travellers and couples typically favour train travel in Italy, where possible, because it can work out cheaper for one or two people.

But for families and groups of up to five people, then sharing hire car costs can work out more cost-effective, even with rental, insurance, fuel, tolls and parking.

The exception to this is for six or seven people, because in my experience renting a seven-seater vehicle often costs more than double the price of hiring a five-seater. Especially in the school holidays.

For example: a round trip between Rome and Florence for two people costs approximately €150. The same trip by car would cost around €250 (€146 car hire, €30 insurance, €32 fuel, €20 tolls and €22 parking).

Tip: Calculate your journey cost via tools like Rome2Rio for custom comparisons.

Safety and Sustainability Edge

Both modes of transport are typically safe, but trains edge out with fewer accidents (Italy’s road fatality rate is 5.5 per million, vs. rail’s near-zero).

And for the environmentally-conscious traveller, rail travel creates 10 times less carbon emissions per passenger than the equivalent car journey.

Train Travel in Italy Tips

I’ve taken many train trips in Italy over the years, and found there are a few key things you should do to ensure a smooth journey.

• You don’t need to buy tickets for Metro trains in advance – simply tap your contactless payment at the barrier (use a fee-free card like Monzo to avoid currency conversion charges).
• Book overland train journeys as far in advance as possible to secure the best price, and reserve seats where possible – I always check Google Maps or real traveller reviews first to help pick a window seat for the best view!
• When booking longer train journeys, you’ll need to provide each passenger’s name and this must match their ID when inspected on board. Don’t do what my friend did and give everyone comedy nicknames, because no, my passport doesn’t read ‘Naughty Nat’!
• Use Omio for live train journey times, platform updates and to activate your digital ticket – this must be done before you board with certain tickets, or you risk getting a fine.
• Keep your luggage in sight, and make sure your bag and phone are secured. Use an anti-theft bag like my favourite from Pacsafe to deter pickpockets. I also use a phone wrist strap to avoid dropping my mobile or having it swiped by thieves.
• Many trains are double-decker, most have toilets, and some have a food cart and even a children’s play area – but check in advance so you don’t go hungry! Most seats also have charging points, but bring an EU plug to use them.
• Monitor your progress – check the on-board signs, track your train online, or set an alarm – falling asleep won’t wash as an excuse for missing your stop!

Smart Driving in Italy Tips

I’ve rented and driven cars in many European countries, including Italy. So I know what to do (and what to avoid doing) when travelling by road.

• Rent from a trusted firm with good reviews. Opt for an automatic for ease, and add excess insurance to protect your deposit. I typically use Paapm Paapm or Discover Cars to compare deals, reviews and hire terms.
• Familiarise yourself with the vehicle before setting off. Locate the wipers, indicators and lights (and don’t assume it’s the same switch for the front and rear lights – because trust me, being stopped by Kosovon police on a dark motorway isn’t fun!).
• Use GPS apps like Google Maps or Waze for live traffic updates and diversions.
• Plan parking locations in advance and keep watch for ZTL signs.
• Carry your usual driving licence plus an International Driving Permit – this provides a translation of your driving licence to car rental staff and authorities. I also keep a copy of the car rental agreement, proof of insurance and a European Accident Statement form in the vehicle.
• Make sure you drive through a ticket lane when you pass through the first toll station you reach, and get a ticket from the machine. Keep the ticket safe, and use it to pay at the exit toll station. Not doing this will get you a fine of several hundred Euros – something we only narrowly avoided after not realising the process.

FAQ

So if you’re still trying to decide between train and car transport in Italy, then consider your travel style: Trains win for speed and simplicity, cars take the lead for spontaneous adventure and flexibility.

Factor in your group size, budget, expected routes and any other considerations specific to your trip or individual needs. Then make your choice.

Or consider a hybrid approach, using trains to travel between cities and arrange a short-tern car rental for rural day trips.

READY TO BOOK? Check out Omio for train journey reservations or compare deals at Discover Cars and fix in a competitive car rental price before prices rise.