Public Transport> buses, trams and metro

Buses and trams circulate daily around Italian cities, connecting historic centres and suburbs, and suburban areas, connecting to smaller towns and villages. It is compulsory to purchase a ticket at an authorised sales outlet – official corner shops, newsagents and bars – before boarding. Remember to validate it once you board. Bus and tram services are very frequent from Monday to Friday, with end of service times varying by area. In large cities there is often a night service, with reduced frequency. At weekends, the number of available trips decreases, but the duration of the evening service is extended.

In Milan, Rome, Naples, Brescia, Turin, Catania and Genoa, you can travel around swiftly by underground metro. Other Italian cities have mass rapid rail or tram lines, similar to traditional metros. During the week, the metro runs constantly, and end of service times vary between cities. At weekends, the number of available trains and end of service times change.

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Rail Travel

A well-developed railway network makes it possible to reach even the most remote locations in Italy while enjoying unique scenery.

Travelling between big cities is even easier, thanks to high-speed trains in Italy: you can reach Rome from Milan in just over three hours. And you can do all this in comfort, thanks to the many services available on board, such as free Wi-Fi, catering, assistance for disabled people, childcare, transport for pets and bicycle storage.

You can plan your travels, for tourism or business, by choosing from among more than three hundred daily connections offered by the Italian railway companies Trenitalia and Italo Treno (NTV). You can purchase tickets online on the websites of these two companies, at travel agencies or at railway station ticket offices.

Before boarding the train, we recommend checking whether you need to stamp your ticket at one of the machines at the station.

In addition to high-speed trains, there are also plenty of connections served by regional and intercity trains, for example, which allow you to reach the whole of Italy, including small towns, and enjoy a holiday at the seaside or in the mountains while travelling sustainably.

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Travel by coach or Coach 

For budget-friendly travel buses like FlixBus and Marino typically start at €5 for shorter trips.

Scheduled coaches and buses connect all Italian destinations, from large cities to villages, comprehensively reaching far and wide. Their itineraries inevitably pass through picture-perfect views and unique panoramas, from the sea to the mountain, uniting the many small jewels scattered in every corner of Italy. It is always a good idea to reserve your seat online, by telephone or at authorised vendor.

Travelling by car around Italy

​Travelling by car gives you more freedom for exploring the coast and countryside, and is invaluable in rural and mountain areas; attempting to explore Umbria, the Dolomites or the southern regions without a car will see you miss out on some impossibly beautiful spots.

A comprehensive motorway network, identifiable by green signs, crosses all the Italian regions. Two main motorways connect northern and southern Italy:

• The Autostrada del Sole (the A1, which passes through Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples)

• The Adriatica (the A14, linking Bologna, Ancona, Pescara, Bari and Taranto). 

Tolls are charged on motorways: you can pay by cash or credit card. Alternatively, there are faster methods, such as:

• Viacard cards: a magnetic card that can be used at automatic and manual toll gates or handed to the toll booth attendant.

• the Telepass: the most practical and fastest automatic payment system that charges the fee to the user based on remote electronic recognition: it allows you to pay without stopping at the toll station, avoiding queues.

Car rentals 

In that case, car rentals from companies like Hertz, Avis, or Europcar are readily available, with daily rates ranging from €40 to €100, depending on the vehicle and rental period. I recommend using a comparison tool like Expedia find the best deals on your car and trip. Keep in mind that driving in Italian cities can be tricky due to narrow streets and limited parking. Smaller cars, such as the Fiat Panda, are ideal for navigating tight spots;

Parking fees are generally reasonable, with the highest we've encountered being €8 per hour in Portofino and around €50 for a full day in Rome Public parking can often be found in marked blue areas, with help from the EasyPark app. Also, consider using Waze for detecting speed controls. Lastly, taxis are a viable option for short distances or quick access to areas lacking public transport, though prices can significantly increase in tourist-heavy towns like Positano.