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Traveling to Italy by Train: Many Roads Lead to Rome (Update 2026)
Traveling to Italy by train is a comfortable and sustainable way to reach the country. No airport stress, coffee along the way, plenty of space to read (or just stare out the window), and you arrive right in the heart of the city. Whether you’re traveling to Milan, Rome, Venice, or Lake Garda, there are several routes to choose from; and yes, it can sometimes take a bit of figuring out which one best suits your destination.
In this article, you’ll find:
A quick route planner
the best connections (day & night)
Tips for switching that really reduce stress
and where/when it’s best to book
Quick Guide to Trains to Italy: Choose Your Route in 30 Seconds
Milan / Lake Como / Lake Maggiore: via Switzerland—Zurich–Milan, 3 hours 20 minutes, with 14 direct trains per day.
Milan via France: via Paris—the fastest travel times are around 6 hours and 40 minutes, though there are often connections that take about 7 hours as well.
Venice / Florence / Rome: via Nightjet (overnight) from Munich and other cities.
New: Starting June 18, 2026: European Sleeper Amsterdam/Brussels–Milan, with stops including Bern and Stresa (Lake Maggiore); tickets available in Jan/Feb 2026.
Important 2026: Nightjet reports: La Spezia/Cinque Terre will not be served in the 2026 operating year (due to construction); Rome and Venice will be.
Why take the train to Italy?
Sustainable travel: lower CO2 emissions than flying or driving.
Comfortable: no long lines and spacious seats.
Beautiful views: enjoy the scenery along the way.
Affordable if you book early. Nightjet ticket sales typically begin 6 months in advance.
Organized train trip to Italy with an electric rental car (train & drive)
Interested in an organized train-and-drive trip to Italy? Then check here for these wonderful organized tours to Piedmontand Puglia and let us take care of arranging your trip and accommodations.
Included:
Round-trip train travel with the best possible route and assistance/guarantee along the way (ideal in case of delays)
Small-scale, charming accommodations at the destination
Electric rental car at your destination
How do you travel to Italy by train?
There is currently no regular direct daytime train from the Netherlands or Belgium to Italy. You usually travel via:
Switzerland (Basel/Zurich): ideal for Milan and the lakes
France (Paris): Quick trip to Milan
Germany (Munich): convenient for Venice, Lake Garda, and the Nightjet to Rome/Florence
Transfer tip (it really saves you stress): When traveling internationally, it’s best to allow 45–90 minutes for transfers. In Paris (where you’ll need to change stations), allow even more time.
The Best Train Routes to Italy
Route 1: via Switzerland (Basel/Zurich) – Milan
This is often the most logical route to Milan, Como/Lake Como and Lake Maggiore. It’s also a great base if you’re continuing on to Tuscany.
Why This Route Works So Well
many connections per day
Easy-to-use transit transfers
Arrival at Milano Centrale (perfect for connecting trips)
Convenient travel time
Amsterdam – Basel: fastest travel time 6 hours 39 with NS International.
Zurich HB – Milan Centrale: approx. 3 hours 20 minutes and 14 direct trains per day (SBB).
Tip: Want to travel to Switzerland at night? NS International describes the Nightjet, which lets you board in the evening and arrive in Zurich in the morning (with a stop in Basel).
Route 2: via France (Paris) to Milan
This route is ideal if you can get to Paris easily (especially from Belgium). You’ll usually transfer from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon.
Travel time: What’s realistic?
Speed planners show a time of about 6 hours and 40 minutes for the fastest trips.
SNCF Connect also often shows direct trips that take around 7 hours (depending on the day, train, and stops).
Transfer Tip for Paris (Golden Rule)
Allow for some extra time here. Changing trains isn’t difficult, but it’s the one place where you’ll want some leeway (subway, crowds, luggage).
Nightjet takes you to Venice at night, departing from Munich and other cities.
Train to Florence (Nightjet)
Florence is also a Nightjet destination, with service from Munich, among other cities (arriving at Firenze Santa Maria Novella).
Train to Rome (Nightjet)
Nightjet operates service to Rome on routes including Munich–Rome. The trip from Verona to Rome takes about 3 hours and 17 minutes (depending on the connection).
Train to Lake Garda (via Verona)
Verona is your convenient hub for Lake Garda.
Munich Central Station to Verona Porta Nuova: fastest travel time 5 hours 27.
From Verona, you can continue on to Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano, among other destinations (a short regional drive).
New: Amsterdam/Brussels to Milan overnight train (starting June 18, 2026)
Update for 2026: European Sleeper reports a direct overnight train to Milan:
First departure: Thursday, June 18, 2026
Outbound trips: Mon / Thu / Sat
Return from Milan: Wed / Fri / Sun
Ticket sales: January or February 2026
The planned route is presented as a direct connection to Bern, Stresa (Lake Maggiore), and Milan.
Important for 2026: Nightjet and Cinque Terre (La Spezia)
Many people are looking for the night train to Cinque Terre. Nightjet has announced that, due to construction work, service to and from La Spezia will not be available during the 2026 service year. Rome and Venice remain available and are not affected.
Note: We have researched the current train options. We check the latest information regularly. However, the trains and times listed are subject to change at any time.
Where can you buy a train ticket to Italy?
Here’s the best way to do this: first book your international backbone (NL/BE – hub), and then add Italy.
Via Switzerland (Zurich–Milan): SBB is a handy resource for direct connections and up-to-date information.
Paris–Milan: Use SNCF Connect for schedules and availability; there are also other planners that provide faster or different results on a daily basis.
European Sleeper Milan 2026: available through European Sleeper as soon as tickets go on sale.
When is the best time to book?
Nightjet: Ticket sales typically begin 180 days before departure (sometimes sooner, around the time of the timetable change in December).
NS International (General): Tickets are often available 4 to 11 months in advance (varies by carrier).
European Sleeper to Milan: starting in Jan/Feb 2026.
Tips for Transferring to a Train to Italy
A generous layover = a relaxed trip: 45–90 minutes usually works well; for Paris, it’s better to allow a little extra time.
Choosing your sleeping option: If you really want to sleep, choose a couchette or sleeper (a seat is mainly a budget option).
Plan B: When traveling internationally, it’s a good idea to build in some extra time on the outbound leg of the trip (e.g., an early train or a layover).
FAQ: Traveling to Italy by Train
Is there a direct train to Italy from the Netherlands or Belgium? There is no regular direct daytime train yet, but starting June 18, 2026, the European Sleeper is scheduled to operate a direct overnight train from Amsterdam/Brussels to Milan.
What is the fastest route to Milan? Via Zurich (3 hours 20 minutes from Zurich to Milan, 14 times a day) or via Paris (the fastest trip takes about 6 hours 40 minutes, and many others take about 7 hours).
Will the Nightjet go to Cinque Terre (La Spezia) in 2026? Nightjet reports: La Spezia will not be included in the 2026 service year; Rome and Venice will be.
The best choice if you… (30-second route selector)
…if you want the least hassle possible when traveling to Northern Italy (Milan/the lakes): go via Switzerland (Basel/Zurich – Milan).
…If you want to travel at night and arrive well-rested: choose the Nightjet (bound for Venice/Florence/Rome).
…if you want to travel directly to Milan by night train in 2026: starting June 18, 2026, take the European Sleeper Amsterdam/Brussels–Milan (3 times a week).
…if you’re heading to Lake Garda: usually take the route through Munich – Verona – Peschiera/Desenzano.
…if you want to stay flexible (most departure options): go via Milan and take high-speed trains from there to Florence or Rome.
Mini Route Table by Destination
Destination
Best route during the day
Overnight Train Option
Quick Tip
Milan
Via Switzerland: NL/BE – Basel/Zurich – Milano Centrale
European Sleeper (starting June 18, 2026): Amsterdam/Brussels – Milan (3 times per week)
Heading to Como or Lake Maggiore? Milan is your ideal transit hub.
Lake Garda
Via Munich – Verona – Peschiera del Garda / Desenzano
Sometimes there is a night train to Verona (check by date; may require a transfer during the night)
Choose Peschiera (east/south) or Desenzano (west/south) depending on where you’re staying.
Venice
Via Munich – Verona – Venice (usually 1 transfer)
Nightjet overnight to Venice Mestre (and then on from there)
For the most scenic arrival: head to Venezia Santa Lucia (on the waterfront).
Florence
Via Zurich/Milan – high-speed train to Florence SMN
Nightjet overnight train to Florence Santa Maria Novella (depending on date/route)
Florence is the perfect starting point for exploring Tuscany (by public transportation or rental car).
Rome
Via Milan—high-speed train to Roma Termini
Nightjet overnight to Roma Termini
You often save on a night’s stay at a hotel and arrive right in the heart of downtown.
With a passion for travel and photography and over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, I love to share my special nature travel tips. Travel is wonderful and important, you meet new people and cultures and it opens your view of the world.
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A really beautiful six-day hike from Bologna to Florence. Communication with NatureTravelLab and the local agent was excellent. The information packet was waiting for us at the hotel in Bologna, and the app with the route worked great. Luggage transport was well organized every day, and our bags were waiting for us each time we arrived at our new room! We covered more than 1,400 meters of elevation gain, but unfortunately didn’t always get the views we’d hoped for due to cloud cover and some drizzle. Most days had great hiking weather. It was wonderful to walk into Florence on foot and stay there an extra day.
We experienced the Walk of the Gods as a great adventure. Our start in Bologna didn’t go quite as planned because our app wasn’t working yet and we couldn’t find a single sign for Via degli Dei in the square. Fortunately, we were quickly able to join two young hikers from Florence who were also doing the hike. After a wonderful night’s stay at the beautiful Rio Verde agritourism farm, Day 2 went much better with the help of the hiking app. Along the way, we enjoyed stunning views, met some great fellow hikers, and sampled delicious local dishes. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t always on our side, and we had a day of heavy rain, which made the trail very slippery and required us to be careful. It’s a real treat when, on the last day, you can already see Florence in the distance and walk into this beautiful city a few hours later. Thank you so much for your quick and friendly responses to all our questions.
We enjoyed the trip. We also made some changes to our itinerary, and the email correspondence went very smoothly. We started in Mantera; the next day, our first and only hike was a really beautiful one. The taxi picked us up right on time. Unfortunately, the second day’s route was almost the same when we cycled to Ostuni. The bikes were well-maintained, including panniers and helmets (these were simply included). You could even bring your own water bottle!!! We found the route very scenic and varied. There were charming little villages where we could stop for lunch or coffee. The app worked great. All the hotels ranged from good to excellent, though we didn’t think the hotel in Leuca was worthy of 4 stars. We followed your advice for the two nights we stayed there. We found Leuca a bit underwhelming for a two-day stay. We would have preferred to stay in Gallipoli or Lecce for two days. We took this trip in April and were very lucky with the weather. It’s still a quiet time of year, but we didn’t mind that. We definitely recommend it!!!
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If you’re looking for travel itineraries, the most beautiful hikes, and destinations, you can find it all here. You’ll find endless inspiration for your next trip. Beautiful cities are interspersed with nature. You’ll find everything you need to know about practical matters. Plus, there are plenty of tips for sustainable travel. That way, you’ll get the most out of your trip.
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Are you looking for the most beautiful hiking and biking routes? Or do you want information about traveling by train or advice for the most beautiful road trips through nature. Get inspired for your next trip in green; ideas for planning your own trip or opting for an organized trip.
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