Perfect 7 Days Interrail & Train Itinerary in Italy
Dreaming about a slow journey where you get to explore the most breathtaking corners of Italy? Then you have arrived at the right place. Together with Eveline from @therailvoyage, we have prepared the ultimate 7 days Italy itinerary – by train!
To help you plan the perfect train trip & make the planning easier we have also prepared the best insider tips about how to plan & spend the perfect week in Italy.
Enjoy and let the slow adventure begin!
Why Italy and when is the best time to go?
Italy is a breathtaking country with a wide variety of things to do. Dive into rich culture, wander medieval small towns, enjoy some lazy days at sea and indulge in the delicious Italian cuisine. Whether you are a nature, foodie, beach or history lover – Italy has something for everyone.
With its Mediterranean climate it is an all-year-around-destination, however July & August can be very hot (+36C or even up to +40C) and the most popular cities are during these months usually very crowded.
If you are aiming for pleasant weather, May-June and September-October are usually the best. During these times you can enjoy less crowded beaches, towns, museums and restaurants. November-April are great months too and a great option for budget travel. However, keep in mind some popular areas during summer may not have as many restaurants and sights open. But, there are still a good amount of activities to do, and the whole country feels more authentic with much less tourism around.
Interrail & train travel – what you need to know
Exploring Italy by rail is a fantastic way to get around easily & fast – and at the same time catch beautiful views. This section will give you some useful tips for how to plan your train adventure.
HOW TO PLAN YOUR ROUTE
This part is usually the one people find most difficult before embarking on a train voyage, but the thing is not to overcomplicate it. Start thinking about which cities or experiences you want to explore. Then make a rough itinerary around these cities, which is easily done in the app Rail Planner where you can add trains and see them visually in a map.
A useful tip is to not plan to visit too many places, rather choose a few bases where you stay a couple of nights and if you have a lot of energy – do day trips by train, or book day tours. However, make sure to book hotels and train tickets quite early if you are travelling to popular places in July or August.
If you want to go to Italy and combine a trip with sea and culture, this itinerary is perfect. Find useful tips, the full 7 day itinerary with recommendations for what to do + how to travel between the different towns below.
To deep dive more into how to plan your train travels in and become a real pro – find the Ultimate Train Travel guide at www.railvoyage.com
WHICH TICKET TO CHOOSE
Depending on the budget you have, if you plan on travelling in Italy combined with other countries, the flexibility you want & how early you are planning your trip – there are different options for which train ticket you should buy when.
1. Italy one country pass Interrail (Europeans) / Eurail (for non-european citizens)
A ticket that allows you to travel as much as you want during a set amount of days spread out during 1 month. For instance 3 travel days within a month. This is the best ticket if you want to be flexible and plan on travelling around a lot in Italy, but not to any other countries in Europe. Prices start from €165. Keep in mind that high-speed trains require a seat reservation. Buy tickets at interrail.eu.
2. Regular Tickets
If you are planning way ahead and have planned your exact itinerary, then regular tickets may the best and most budget friendly option for you as tickets for high-speed trains can be quite cheap a couple of months ahead. Buy tickets at trenitalia.com. Note, regional tickets are basically always at a fixed price & then it doesn’t matter when you buy.
3. Global Pass Interrail/Eurail
This ticket is great for you if you plan to travel between many countries. For instance if you plan on combining an Italy trip with other countries in Europe or want to travel from your home country to Italy by train (example: Sweden – Italy and back). If you travel with kids aged 11 or younger they also travel for free. Buy tickets at interrail.eu
WHAT TO PACK
Breathable, non-wrinkle and lightweight clothes
The key to packing when moving around a lot is to pack lightweight clothes and work with layers. And if you travel during summer especially, pack breathable clothes. Choose fabrics such as linen, cotton or silk.
If you want to maximize your outfits, pack the majority of your clothes in basic colours and pieces that can easily be combined. Such as tops and shorts in black, white, beige, brown and grey. Bring light-weight accessories to mix it up and a few coloured pieces. Sometimes it can even be enough to go from day to evening wear by adding some jewelry & switching your sandals to some prettier shoes.
Luggage
Keep in mind that Italy has a lot of cobblestone, meaning a big stroller may not be your best option. Instead bring a backpack and/or small suitcase. Easier to store in trains and to bring with you in small towns.
INSIDER TIPS
Eveline, the person behind Rail Voyage, only in 2024 alone she travelled more than 40,000 km by train in Europe and has also worked many years with trains professionally. In this section she has gathered some of her top insider tips before going on your own train adventure in Italy.
Train tickets
If you book tickets at Trenitalia, keep in mind you need to search for the italian name of the city. Some examples:
Milano = Milan, Venice = Venezia, Florence = Firenze, Rome = Roma, Naples = Napoli
Don’t Overplan & Make Stops Along the Way
One of the most fun things to do when travelling by train, and especially when you travel with an interrail or one country pass – is to make stops along the way and not have everything planned. For instance when going to Cinque Terre from Florence you could add some hours in Pisa, Lucca or Viareggio.
Plan your accommodation in the best way
To be able to slow down a bit and fully enjoy your vacation, book your accommodation at least 2 or 3 nights in a row, that way you don’t have to pack and unpack every day. If you plan on visiting the cities in this itinerary during peak season (July – August) make sure to book your stays preferably months ahead. If you are planning late or want to save money, book accommodation in the closest smaller/less touristic city, such as La Spezia next to Cinque Terre.
Money
Most restaurants, stores & places in larger and more touristic towns accept cards. However, it is always good to bring some cash with you, especially if you travel to more rural areas. Bring coins if you plan on making stops in cities and need to store your luggage in lockers on the train stations.
Proposed 7-day Italy train Itinerary
DAY 1 – VENICE
We will start our train journey through Italy in the iconic city of Venice, a place unlike any other in the world. Built on over 100 small islands, this floating masterpiece is a labyrinth of canals, historic bridges, and stunning palazzos. When you arrive by train you will first travel on a bridge and when stepping out of the train you will see a view like no other. Roman grand buildings meet romantic canals.
Wander through its charming streets, get lost in hidden alleys and soak in the atmosphere of Piazza San Marco. A gondola ride at sunset or a quiet vaporetto trip along the Grand Canal is the perfect way to experience the city.
DAY 2-3 FLORENCE
We will continue our journey in the morning of day 2 by taking the train 1h 50min south to the grand artistic city of Florence. Wander among artpieces at one of the famous museums such as the Uffici. Alternatively, simply walk the streets to discover incredible architectural works such as Ponte Vecchio or Santa Maria del Fiore. Grab a panino, enjoy a delicious gelato in the sun or have dinner at one of the many classic Tuscan restaurants in town.
A tip is to cross the bridge Arno and explore the areas of Oltrarno, Santo Spirito & San Miniato. Less crowds, lots of delicious restaurants, local craft shops and beautiful sights to explore. At Michelangelo or San Miniato you can bring a pizza & watch the sunset setting over the city – an incredible experience.
DAY 4-6 CINQUE TERRE
Our next stop of this Italian dream voyage is the coastal strip of Cinque Terre. An area to hike and unwind with a glass of wine at sunset, enjoy dining with a view or simply spend the day being lazy at sea.
Cinque Terre consists of five colourful villages located on cliffs of the North-West coast of Italy. Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare.
To go here – take the 1 hour train from Florence to Pisa. Then make a change for the train to La Spezia, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. La Spezia is a good option for budget-friendly accommodation. From here you can take the train into Cinque Terre. Here you can buy an additional train pass to move between the cities as you wish. Alternatively you can use an interrail pass or simply buy single tickets in the Trenitalia app.
DAY 7 – MILAN
The final stop of our 7 day long rail train journey through Italy is the cultural fashion city of Milan. Considered one of World’s top fashion cities, it is the perfect place for shopping lovers. Don’t miss visiting the beautiful and unique Duomo, admire the stunning architecture or explore one of the many exquisite restaurants and bars – or why not dine in a tram at ATMosfera Tram Restaurant?
To go from Cinque Terre to Milan, you need to first take a train from one of the Cinque Terre towns to Levanto, then change to a direct train to Milan, which takes about 2h 55 min.
Final words for your Italy train journey
Let’s start planning your dream week in Italy filled with culture, sea, history and food.
Get more travel inspiration on instagram from @therailvoyage or @voyage_provocateur, or at www.railvoyage.com
Enjoy,
Voyage Provocateur
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