TRAINS IN ITALY

Traveling to and within Italy by train is not a bad option. Train travel is a great way to enter Italy from within Europe. In Italy coaches and buses lines are numerous and frequent, but can't really compete with the convenience of the train: a rail ticket over a long or short distance will normally be cheaper than a coach fare, and the journey will be quicker. Ferries connect the country with Greece, Turkey, Tunisia, Malta, Albania, Egypt and Spain. And air travel within Italy is not cheap. The railway system, on the other hand, is good and inexpensive.

In Italian cities, the main railway stations are located in the city center, but secondary stations can be in other areas. For instance, the main railway station in Rome, Termini, is very central, but Trastevere is on the other side of the river Tiber (beyond the Tiber, that's what the name means), in a more working class but also more picturesque borough, with strong historical traditions. Similarly, in Florence the main station of Santa Maria Novella is right in the city center, two minutes' walk from the Duomo and other artistic treasures. Campo di Marte, on the other hand, is not such an important station, and is on the opposite side of the river Arno (Oltrarno), not far from the football stadium.
Venice, as might be expected, is a special case. Venice Terminal railway station is in Piazzale Roma, connecting Venice to Mestre and the mainland. It's still fairly central, 10-15 minutes' walk from the main historical monuments but, due to the city's unique characteristics, it's not right in the middle of town, but at the edge of the historical center.
Milan central rail station, Stazione Centrale, is in Piazza Duca D'Aosta, near the famous Pirelli skyscraper. The station is at the end of a series of tree-lined avenues, fairly close to both the city center and its heart, Piazza del Duomo, and to the Fiera Campionaria, Milan Fair Exhibition Center.
In towns, as opposed to big cities, the main railway station may be situated not exactly in the town center.
Milan Malpensa Airport and Rome Leonardo da Vinci Airport (Fiumicino) both have a rail station.

There are two types of train tickets. First class seats often recline, there are fewer seats per car, and there is more space for luggage. On some Premier Trains, the price of a first class ticket includes a meal. Second class accommodations are less expensive, but not as spacious, as there are more seats per car. A ticket allows you to board the train, but does not guarantee you a seat. You must make a seat reservation to have a guaranteed seat on the train.
For certain trains, such as fast trains or Inter City, there's a supplement to be added to the ticket price.
In Italy, you have to purchase your train ticket before getting on the train. It's not acceptable to buy it on the train, and if you're found without ticket you'll be fined. There are often long queues at the ticket office of the railway stations. Ticket dispensing machines can luckily be found on the platforms of train departures sometimes, but not always.

For this reason it's more practical and often cheaper to buy train tickets or make your seat reservations before, so you can avoid fully booked trains. The simplest way to do so is online, through the Internet.

To find information and the facility to buy online rail tickets in Italy, it's best to visit Rail Europe .
Rail Europe are the long-established specialists on rail travel in Europe, and on their website you can find point-to-point rail tickets for single journeys from one destination to another in Italy, as well as tickets for Premier Trains and Passes (see below).

Rail Europe site serves North American residents only.

ITALIAN & EUROPEAN RAIL PASSES FOR NORTH AMERICAN RESIDENTS

In Italy train fares are particularly cheap, and train travel is convenient, efficient, and comfortable.
If you want to see as much of Italy as you can in a limited period, or you'd like to travel to several countries within a short period, a good option is to get a Rail Pass. There are many different passes.

Italian Rail Passes are:

France'n Italy Pass gives you travel in the two most popular European countries, France and Italy. Saverpass and Youthpass versions are also available.

Trenitalia Pass provides you with any 4 days unlimited train travel in a 2 months period and an option of adding up to 6 additional days.

Trenitalia Pass Saver gives you a discounted version of Trenitalia Pass if you will be traveling throughout Italy with a friend or more.

Trenitalia Pass Youth is a special discounted version of the Trenitalia Pass for travelers under 26 years of age.

Eurail Greece 'n Italy Pass gives you two great countries with one great pass. Saverpass and Youthpass versions are also available.

Italy Rail 'n Drive gives you a combination of unlimited train travel and Hertz car rental with unlimited mileage in Italy.

Here's the link to get the Italian Passes:

Italian Rail Passes

Furthermore, there's the option of acquiring a European Rail Pass covering other countries as well as Italy, the so-called Multiple Country Passes.
If you would like to travel to Italy and 2 to 4 other countries, get Eurail Selectpass. If you would like the flexibility to see up to 16 other countries, the Eurailpass is the right pass for you.

Multiple Country Passes are

Eurailpass gives you unlimited travel in the 17 countries of Western Europe, covering over 100,000 miles of rail network: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
There are several options, variations to suit one's needs, and discounts for groups of two or more and for travellers up to 26 years old.
Here's the link to get more info or purchase it online:

Eurailpass: flexible travel throughout 17 countries

Eurail Selectpass offers unlimited travel on the national rail networks of any 3, 4 or 5 bordering countries of your choice out of 22 European countries, including Italy, (newly included are Slovenia/Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro and Bulgaria) that are connected by train or ship.
Discounts for two or more people traveling together and travelers of 26 years of age and under apply here as well, with a variety of pass options including Saver, Youth and Drive passes.
Here's the link to get more info or purchase it online:

Eurail Selectpass

There are also combinations of rail tickets and car rentals.

With all these Passes you get bonuses, for instance discounts on high-speed Premier Trains; free or discounted travel on ferries, lake steamers, boats and buses; a free train timetable.

When you visit Rail Europe , you may wish to consult their Interactive rail map

ITALY PREMIER TRAINS FOR NORTH AMERICAN RESIDENTS

Premier Trains are Europe's best trains. The shining stars of Europe's rail network, Premier Trains are high-speed, high-quality trains, with excellent service and comfort. They're ultra-modern trains, unlike any others you have experienced. They all have public phones, bars and restaurants, reclining seats in first-class. On some Premier Trains, first-class passengers are served a meal at their seat, newspapers, magazines, and drinks.
A Premier Train ticket usually includes a seat reservation.

Many Rail Passes (see above) cover Premier Trains journeys, so you only have to purchase the Pass to travel on the Premier Train. Or you are entitled to a special passholder fare.

Premier Trains to Italy and in Italy are:

Eurostar Italia connects Milan, Rome, Venice, Turin, San Remo on the Italian Riviera, and more cities. It takes you from Milan in the North to Reggio Di Calabria, right at the southern tip of the Italian peninsula, in 11 hours. It links Rome and the western coast to Venice, Ancona and Lecce on the Adriatic coast in the east.
Eurostar Italia fares and schedules

Cisalpino connects Switzerland and Germany with Italy. It links couture-loving Milan, Florence and Venice with the Swiss cities of Zurich, Basel and Geneva and with Stuttgart in Germany. Cruising through the majestic Alps, the Cisalpino is one of the world's most modern trains.
Cisalpino fares and schedules

Artesia, also known as the France-Italy day train, lets you enjoy two of the most popular countries in Europe. Artesia is a high-speed premier train with five daily round-trip connections between France and Italy. It covers many routes along this beautiful countryside, including Paris, Lyon, Milan and Turin, all in a short amount of time. Artesia trains from Lyon reach a top speed of 160 mph and from Paris, an astounding 180 mph. Between Paris and Milan there is a bar car and snack service. The train between Lyon and Milan has a dining car where hungry travelers can sit down at a table to eat.

Artesia France-Italy Night is a high-speed premier train with four daily routes between France and Italy. Along this beautiful countryside, the France-Italy Night passes through such prominent cities as Paris, Chambery, Dijon, and the Italian cities of Rome, Milan, Florence, Turin and Venice. This train offers travelers an extremely convenient trip as well as shorter traveling times.

Riviera Day Train connects the French Riviera to Italy and Switzerland. The French Riviera conjures up images of famed film festivals, soft sand beaches and haute lifestyle. The train goes to Milan, Genoa, San Remo. It’s closer than your think, indeed it's so close to Italy that some cities of the French Riviera, such as Nice, were part of Italy until the 19th century.

Riviera Night Train connects Nice in the French Riviera to Venice, Rome, Naples. Feel the romance of the Riviera, the Cote d'Azur. Hop on board for an enchanting ride through the night. Wake up the next morning in bellissima Italy.

To find out more or to purchase tickets for Premier Trains (for North American residents only), this is the link:

Premier Trains

USEFUL WEBSITES FOR TRAVELLERS TO ITALY

To find and book a hotel in Italy, the cheapest and least time-consuming way is by doing it online.
There are two Italian websites specialized in hotel reservations all over Italy.

One is Venere - Italy Hotel Reservation. They have hotels all over Italy, in every region from North to South, from the sea to the mountains. Click on this link to Venere below or the button on the right column, and you'll be able to find a list of hotels matching your search criteria and check directly the room availability.
Venere - Hotels in Italy

The second Italian site where you can find hotels is the Italian Tourist Web Guide, which is a guide to around 10,000 hotels all over Italy. For each hotel you'll find a description, pictures, practical information, rates, interactive map, and the possibilty of direct online reservation.
To visit it, click here: Italian Tourist Web Guide

Accommodation Line is another good reservations service with plenty of hotels in Italy. It also has a special site, Rates to Go, for last minute discounts which are often among the best rates available.
Accommodation Line
Accommodation Line list of Rome hotels