Italy by train in two weeks is the most sustainable and scenic itinerary for crossing the country — no airports, no queues, no cars. The Frecce network (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca) connects Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples and Salerno with trains every 30 minutes. High speed covers 1,000km in less than 5 hours. The Interrail pass (7 days in 1 month, ~€280 adults) is worthwhile for those making 5+ stops; those buying individual tickets in advance online often save more. The Naples-Palermo overnight ferry (Tirrenia or GNV, 12h, €50-80 in a cabin) is the itinerary's most memorable experience.
The North-South Itinerary in 14 Stops
Days 1-2: Milan (Duomo, Leonardo's Last Supper, Brera, Navigli in the evening). Day 3: Florence (Frecciarossa 1h 45', €25-50 — Uffizi, Brunelleschi's Dome, Oltrarno). Days 4-5: Rome (Frecciarossa 1h 30' from Florence — Colosseum, Vatican, Pantheon, Trastevere). Day 6: Naples (Frecciarossa 1h 10' — pizza, Spaccanapoli, Cappella Sansevero, Castel dell'Ovo). Day 7: Pompeii and Herculaneum (Circumvesuviana €3, both sites in one day). Day 8: Matera (bus from Potenza or hire car from Bari, 65km). Day 9: Lecce (train from Bari 1h 30', €10 — Leccese Baroque, pasticciotto). Day 10: Alberobello and Itria Valley (hire car — trulli, bombette di Cisternino). Days 11-12: Palermo (overnight ferry from Naples 12h, Tirrenia or GNV — Palatine Chapel, Monreale, Ballarò). Day 13: Agrigento (train 2h from Palermo — Valley of the Temples at sunset). Day 14: Catania and Etna (train 3h from Agrigento — return flight from CTA).
Tickets, Passes and Logistics
The Interrail Italy pass (3 days in 1 month, ~€120; 7 days, ~€180) is worthwhile for 4+ full-price Frecce journeys. Those buying online 2+ weeks in advance often save more — Frecce tickets start from €9.90. Mandatory reservations on Frecce cost €10 extra with Interrail. The Circumvesuviana (Naples-Pompeii-Herculaneum) is not covered by Interrail — separate ticket €3-5. The Naples-Palermo ferry (Tirrenia or GNV, 12h, evening departure ~22:00, morning arrival ~10:00): double cabin €50-80, reclining seat €30-40 — the itinerary's most memorable experience. Book online 1-2 weeks in advance in July-August. Luggage: with the train there are no weight limits — bring what you want without low-cost restrictions.
Variants and Customisations
North-east instead of Sicily: from Rome instead of descending to Naples, go back up towards Venice (1h 30', €30-60), Verona (50 min, €15-30) and Lake Garda. Sicily with more days: add Syracuse (train from Catania 1h 20') and the Val di Noto (Noto, Ragusa Ibla, Modica — UNESCO Baroque and Modica chocolate). Sardinia instead of Sicily: ferry from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Olbia (6h, Tirrenia) — but requires mandatory hire car. Tuscany in depth: add Siena (75km from Florence by SITA bus, €9) and Pienza/Montalcino (hire car). The route can also be done in reverse — start from Catania, travel north, end in Milan.
Practical tips
The Naples-Palermo overnight ferry (12h, €50-80 cabin) is the most memorable experience — arrive in Palermo rested without losing a travel day
Buy Frecce tickets online at least 2 weeks in advance — prices increase significantly as the date approaches
Matera has no direct trains from Naples — the most practical way is a hire car from Bari (1h 30') or Naples (2h 30')
With the train there are no baggage weight limits — bring what you want without low-cost flight restrictions
The Valley of the Temples of Agrigento at sunset (evening opening April-October) is the itinerary's most beautiful image
Plan your Italy by train tour
North to south in 14 stops without planes — tailored itinerary in 5 minutes.
Plan now
