7 Breathtaking Train Rides in Italy That Belong on Everyone’s Bucket List (Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience)

Forget airport lines and cramped rental cars.

Picture this instead: an espresso in hand, vineyards and mountains sliding by your window.

Italy’s trains turn travel into its own kind of luxury.

Sure, there are high-speed lines, but the slow routes are where the magic lives.

I picked seven Italian train rides that do it best. All aboard? Let’s ride.

The 7 Best Italian Rail Tours

1. The Bernina Express: An Alpine Scenic Train Route in Italy

This train ride is a UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece.

The journey begins in the Italian town of Tirano. From there, the bright red train begins its breathtaking climb. It winds its way into the heart of the Swiss Alps.

This is the highest railway in Europe. It crosses an astonishing 196 bridges. It also passes through 55 tunnels on its route to St. Moritz.

You will sit in modern panoramic cars. The stunning landscape feels close enough to touch.5 The train masterfully climbs the mountains. It spirals up the famous Brusio viaduct. You will see shimmering glaciers and high-altitude lakes.

The engineering is as awe-inspiring as the nature itself. This journey is a perfect fusion of natural grandeur and human ingenuity. The Bernina Express is one of the most beautiful train rides in Italy and beyond.

My Tip: This journey is spectacular year-round. However, autumn offers a stunning display of changing leaves. Winter blankets the mountains in a magical layer of snow. For the best views heading from Italy into Switzerland, sit on the right-hand side.

2. Cinque Terre Express: One of the Most Scenic Train Routes in Italy

The Cinque Terre Express connects the five famous villages. The train darts in and out of tunnels along the cliffs. Each exit reveals a stunning, sun-drenched glimpse of the Ligurian Sea.

This train is not just for transport. It is the connective tissue of the national park. It makes visiting these once-isolated towns a breeze.

The train runs between La Spezia and Levanto. It stops at Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso.

Trains are frequent, running every 15 to 30 minutes in high season. The trips between villages are incredibly short. Most take less than five minutes.

You will see soaring cliffs meet aquamarine waters. Vineyards and olive groves cling to the steep terraces.

My Tip: Purchase the Cinque Terre Train Card. It offers unlimited train travel for one, two, or three days. It also grants access to the park’s famous hiking trails. This card saves you time and money.

3. Rome to Sicily: A Truly Beautiful Train Ride in Italy

Prepare for one of Europe’s last great rail adventures. This journey from Rome to Sicily is legendary. It has a unique and thrilling climax. The entire train gets shunted onto a ferry. It then sails across the Strait of Messina.

This is one of the only places in the world where this happens. The experience is a powerful transition from mainland Italy to its most distinct island.

The 11-hour trip starts in the Eternal City. It travels down Italy’s Tyrrhenian coast. You will see views of Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples. The rugged Calabrian landscape follows.

At Villa San Giovanni, the train cars are split. They roll onto the ship for the 30-minute crossing. You can leave the train and go on deck.

Enjoy the sea air as Sicily appears on the horizon. This is one of the best Italian rail tours for adventure seekers.

My Tip: You can take this journey on a daytime InterCity train or an overnight sleeper. The sleeper train is a time-effective option. You fall asleep on the mainland and wake up in Sicily.

4. Circumetnea Railway: A Fiery Lap Around Mount Etna

The Ferrovia Circumetnea is a quirky, rustic adventure. It circles the base of an active volcano.

This narrow-gauge train rattles along a 110-km loop. It runs from Catania to the seaside town of Riposto. Mount Etna’s smoking peak is your constant, dramatic companion.

The scenery is unlike anywhere else in Italy. The train crosses vast, black lava beds from past eruptions. It passes through fields of prickly pears and pistachio groves.

The ride offers an authentic glimpse into life in the volcano’s shadow. It connects the small villages and farms that thrive on its fertile soil.

Some trains are vintage Fiat models from the 1950s, adding to the retro charm. This is one of the most unique scenic train routes in Italy.

My Tip: Plan a stop in Bronte. It is world-famous for its pistachios. You can try a plate of pistachio pasta at a local trattoria. Also, visit Adrano to see its magnificent Norman fortress.

Also Read: I’ve Lived in Italy for Six Years — Here Are 10 Unspoken Rules To Follow When You Visit

5. Trenino Verde: One of the Best Italian Rail Tours in Sardinia

Step back in time on the Trenino Verde, or “Little Green Train.” This is the absolute opposite of high-speed travel. It is a slow, deliberate exploration of Sardinia’s rugged interior.

The journey takes you into the wild heart of the island. It reveals a part of Italy few tourists ever see. The experience is about disconnecting and savoring the moment.

This historic narrow-gauge railway has several routes. The longest runs from Mandas to Arbatax. It climbs through mountains and forests to the coast.

Another popular route connects Macomer to the coastal town of Bosa. The train trundles through wild valleys and deep gorges. The landscape is so pristine it feels unchanged for centuries.

Author D.H. Lawrence famously described it as a “strange railway” after his 1921 trip.

My Tip: The Trenino Verde is a seasonal tourist service. It runs mainly in the summer, from June to September. Check the official website for schedules and book in advance.

Related: 10 Rookie Mistakes Tourists Make in Italy (And how to Avoid Them)

6. Milan to Bolzano: From High Fashion to the High Peaks

This journey is a study in dramatic contrasts. It begins in Milan, Italy’s capital of fashion and finance. It ends in Bolzano, a crisp, German-speaking city in the Alps.

The three- to five-hour ride is a fascinating transition. You watch the flat plains of Lombardy slowly give way to rolling hills. Finally, the jagged, monumental peaks of the Dolomites appear.

The changing scenery reflects a deep cultural shift. You are not just seeing mountains. You are witnessing the border between Mediterranean and Central European Italy.

The architecture, language, and atmosphere all change. This trip shows Italy’s incredible regional diversity. It is one of the most culturally fascinating and beautiful train rides in Italy.

My Tip: Several operators run this route, including high-speed Frecciarossa trains. These offer comfortable seats and amenities. You can enjoy the dramatic views in complete comfort.

7. Venice to Florence: A Rolling Renaissance Canvas

This is the classic, romantic Italian journey. It connects two of the world’s greatest art cities.

The train ride itself is a beautiful, serene interlude. It offers a perfect palate cleanser between days of intense cultural immersion.

The views of the Tuscan and Emilian countryside are a masterpiece in motion. This is one of the most essential and beautiful train rides in Italy.

You have a choice that reflects your travel style. High-speed trains link Venice and Florence in just over two hours. This option is perfect if you are short on time.

However, the slower regional train offers a richer experience. It meanders through rolling hills and expansive vineyards. You will pass captivating small towns like Bologna and Prato.

This journey reveals the rural landscape that inspired so much Renaissance art. It makes for one of the most beautiful train rides in Italy.

My Tip: If you have the time, take the regional train. The journey becomes part of the destination. It provides a deeper context for the art and history you will experience in Florence.

Arrivederci!

From Alpine peaks to volcanic slopes, hopping on a train is the best way to discover the many beautiful faces of Italy. This list of beautiful train rides in Italy is just the beginning.

Choose a route, book a ticket, and let the journey unfold. The scenic train routes in Italy are waiting to be explored.