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Italy itineraries
A first trip through Italy usually runs from north to south: Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples. Each city has its own pace, from Venice on foot over bridges to Naples in its dense, noisy streets, so the route works best when you stay long enough in each place to see its main sights without rushing. The high-speed network ties them together, and the longer hops are a morning or an afternoon on a train.
- 5 cities
- 7, 10, and 14 days
Data checked on October 7, 2026
Choose the length of the trip
The order follows the rails. Milan and Venice sit in the north, Florence and Rome in the middle, and Naples at the far end, so the route never doubles back. Flying into Milan and out of Naples, or home from Rome, saves a return trip north. Venice is a short detour east of the main line, which is why it comes second.
The cities on the route
Trains between the cities
Frecciarossa and Italo run the fast services between these cities, and every seat on them is reserved when you buy. Regional trains are cheaper and slower, with no reserved seats, and a paper ticket has to be validated before boarding. Fast tickets go on sale months ahead and the cheapest fares sell out first, so book once your dates are fixed. Check the departure station on your ticket, since big cities have more than one.
| From | To | Fastest direct train | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| MilanMilano Centrale | VeniceVenezia Santa Lucia | 2 h 15 | Trenitalia, Italo |
| MilanMilano Centrale | FlorenceFirenze Santa Maria Novella | 1 h 43 | Trenitalia, Italo |
| MilanMilano Centrale | RomeRoma Termini | 2 h 50 | Trenitalia, Italo |
| MilanMilano Centrale | NaplesNapoli Centrale | 4 h 08 | Trenitalia, Italo |
| VeniceVenezia Santa Lucia | FlorenceFirenze Santa Maria Novella | 2 h | Trenitalia, Italo |
| VeniceVenezia Santa Lucia | RomeRoma Termini | 3 h 34 | Trenitalia, Italo |
| VeniceVenezia Santa Lucia | NaplesNapoli Centrale | 4 h 59 | Italo |
| FlorenceFirenze Santa Maria Novella | RomeRoma Termini | 1 h 25 | Trenitalia, Italo |
| FlorenceFirenze Santa Maria Novella | NaplesNapoli Centrale | 2 h 42 | Italo |
| RomeRoma Termini | NaplesNapoli Centrale | 55 min | Trenitalia, Italo |
When to go
April to June and September to October give mild weather and thinner crowds in all five cities. July and August are hot, especially in Rome, Florence and Naples, and winter is cold in the north with short days.
Before you go
- Book the Last Supper in Milan, the Uffizi and Accademia in Florence, and the Colosseum and Vatican Museums in Rome before you buy the trains, since their timed slots set your dates.
- Pack one bag you can carry up station stairs and over Venetian bridges, because lifts are rare and porters are scarce.
- Many museums close one day a week, often Monday, so plan travel days for the day a city's main sights are shut.
- Keep your phone charged and your ticket saved offline, as station Wi-Fi is unreliable and conductors check tickets on board.
Common questions
Should I fly into Milan and out of Rome or Naples?
An open-jaw ticket saves the long train ride back north. Milan is the usual way in for this route, and Rome or Naples work as the way out. Compare fares for both airports before you choose.
Do I need to book trains in advance?
On Frecciarossa and Italo you buy a seat, so trains can sell out on busy dates. Booking early gives the best choice of times. Regional trains need no reservation but tickets must be validated.
Can I do this route without a car?
Yes, and a car is a burden in Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples, where traffic zones and parking are a problem. Trains link the city centres directly. If you want countryside, rent a car for one day trip and return it before the next city.