Itineraries
Italy by train in 7 days: Rome, Florence and Venice
A first-timer's week on Italy's fast trains, with what to book ahead so you are not stuck in queues.
By Traveljin Editorial Team · Updated · 2 min read
Quick answer
- Spend 3 nights in Rome, 2 in Florence and 2 in Venice, flying into Rome and out of Venice.
- High-speed trains take about 1 hour 30 minutes from Rome to Florence and about 2 hours from Florence to Venice.
- Book the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum and Florence's Uffizi and Accademia ahead; they sell out in busy months.
| Trip length | 7 nights |
|---|---|
| Fly into | Rome (FCO) |
| Fly out of | Venice (VCE) |
| Rome → Florence | ~1h 30m by high-speed train |
| Best months | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct |
Days 1–3: Rome
Give the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill one morning, and the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica another. Evenings are for Trastevere and the Pantheon area.
Days 4–5: Florence
Florence is compact and walkable. See Michelangelo's David at the Accademia, the Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo, then cross the Ponte Vecchio for sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo.
With a spare afternoon, Pisa, Siena or a Chianti wine village are all easy half-day trips.
Days 6–7: Venice
Arrive by train straight onto the Grand Canal at Santa Lucia station. Stay at least one night to see Venice after the day-trippers leave, and take a vaporetto water bus along the Grand Canal.
Venice charges day visitors an access fee on selected peak days; overnight guests are exempt. Check the city's official site for the dates.
Train tips
Two companies run high-speed trains: Trenitalia (Frecciarossa) and Italo. Book these ahead for the best fares; prices rise closer to the date.
- Regional trains have fixed fares and do not need booking ahead.
- Validate paper regional tickets in the machines before boarding, or you can be fined.
- Luggage racks fill fast; travel light if you can.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Rome to Florence?
About 1 hour 30 minutes on a high-speed Frecciarossa or Italo train.
Is 7 days enough for Rome, Florence and Venice?
Yes for a first visit: 3 nights in Rome, 2 in Florence and 2 in Venice covers the main sights at a comfortable pace.
Do you need to book Italian trains in advance?
Book high-speed trains ahead for lower fares. Regional trains have fixed prices and can be bought on the day.
