The Italian dream: eating gelato in front of the Colosseum, watching the sunset on the Ponte Vecchio and getting lost in the canals of Venice. Sound expensive? It doesn’t have to be.
Forget about renting a car (gas is expensive and traffic is crazy) or taking internal flights. The Italian boot is connected by an enviable high-speed train network. Here we show you how to put together the classic route from south to north, optimizing your time and your euros.
The secret of transportation: Trenitalia vs. Italo
Trenitalia confident of being first operator to rival Eurostar through Channel Tunnelhttps://t.co/TlqP9dKkSR pic.twitter.com/Eu6R94K3m9
– RAIL Magazine (@RAIL) January 20, 2026
In Italy there are two major high-speed train companies (Frecce):
TrenitaliaThe state (the famous Frecciarossa). They are red, fast and go everywhere.
Italo: The private competition. Their trains are super modern (they look like Ferraris inside) and are often cheaper.
The golden rule: Tickets go on sale 3 to 4 months in advance. A Rome-Florence ticket bought on the same day can cost you 50€; bought months in advance it can cost you 14.90€. Download the apps and hunt for deals!
Stop 1: Rome
No place I can think of better to say goodbye to the day than the Eternal City, Rome. #GoodNight🌹
(Video ©️giorgioteti/Ig) pic.twitter.com/thxMchOfnC– MaléficaReturns🏛️ (@AliciaMimundo) January 24, 2026
Start here because it usually has the cheapest flights from America.
The savings: Rome is an open-air museum. Seeing the Colosseum from the outside, the Pantheon (they charge now, but not much), the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps is free.
Food: Avoid restaurants with “tourist menus” in front of the monuments. Look for “Pizza al Taglio” places (pizza by weight cut). You eat delicious food for 5 euros. And remember: the water from the street fountains (nasoni) is drinkable, fresh and free – refill your bottle!
The Trip: Rome ➡️ Florence (1 hour 30 min)
Beautiful Florence, Italy at night.
One of the most beautiful places on the planet pic.twitter.com/4cEYqgW6xa
– Live with Purpose (@PropositoyVida) December 12, 2025
The train drops you off at Santa Maria Novella station, right in the center.
What to do: Florence is walkable. Don’t spend on transportation. The Duomo will take your breath away.
The free sunset: Walk up (it’s a steep climb but worth it) to Piazzale Michelangelo. You will have the best panoramic view of the city and the Tuscan mountains for free. Bring your wine and snacks.
The viral sandwich: Yes, the line at All’Antico Vinaio is long, but those giant 7-10€ paninis are a complete and delicious meal.
The Trip: Florence ➡️ Venice (2 hours 15 min)
Venice, in Italy, is one of the most unique and romantic cities in the world, built on a network of islands and crisscrossed by countless canals.
Its urban layout, without traditional streets, is defined by bridges, squares and waterways that give it a unique… pic.twitter.com/GZaBSrv6Vc
– Papina (@LunaGitana0333) December 28, 2025
Be careful here: Buy your ticket to Venezia Santa Lucia station (the one on the island), not Venezia Mestre (which is on the mainland).
Arrival: Leaving the station and seeing the Grand Canal all at once is one of the best sensations in the world.
The Trick: Venice is expensive.
Gondola: It costs 80-100€ for 30 minutes. If you go in a group, it splits. If you go low cost, take the Vaporetto (the water bus) line 1 along the Grand Canal. It is not the same, but the views are the same.
Eating: Look for the “Bacari” and order Cicchetti (Venetian tapas). They are small inexpensive snacks that you accompany with an Ombra (small glass of wine).
The Coffee Rule
Throughout Italy, coffee has two prices:
Al Banco (At the bar): Price regulated and cheap (1.10€ – 1.50€). You drink it standing up quickly like a local.
Al Tavolo (At table): They charge you for the service and it can cost three times as much. If you want to save money, do as the Italians do: coffee at the bar and keep walking.
Verdict: Italy by train is comfortable, romantic and, if you book early, surprisingly cheap. Andiamo!
Filed under: Italy by train
