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4.6The most popular way to travel from France to Italy
If you want to travel from France to Italy, taking a train is the preferred method for many tourists. Below, we’ve highlighted the benefits of train travel between France and Italy and have provided an in-depth look at the best options between these two countries on the railways. Keep reading to learn more.
Train from France to Italy
Train tickets from France to Italy offer travelers the best of both worlds. They’re not as expensive as flights from France to Italy and are often considerably faster than traveling between the two countries on a bus. For example, you can get from Paris to Milan in under 7 hours on a high-speed train.
One thing to note about purchasing train tickets from France to Italy is that it’s better to do so in advance when possible. It’s often the case that the earlier you purchase your ticket, the cheaper it will be.
You may also be able to save money by traveling outside of the busiest parts of the year. Train tickets in winter can be more affordable than tickets in early spring and late fall, for instance.
Cheapest tickets to travel from France to Italy
The cheapest train tickets from France to Italy are typically available online, on sites like Omio that compare all of the best options automatically for travelers. The most affordable routes are often the ones that are used most, such as the line between Paris Gare Du Nord and Milan Centrale
It’s also the case that train tickets tend to be cheaper the earlier in advance that a traveler purchases them. They also may be more affordable during non-peak travel season, such as during the winter.
How many hours do I need to travel from France to Italy?
The average train ride from France to Italy can take anywhere from 7 to 14 hours. It’s dependent upon where you depart in France and where you arrive in Italy. Additional factors like the time you leave and the train company you use can also impact your travel time.
For example, the fastest major route between large French and Italian cities is from Lyon to Milan, which takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes on a train. But if you want to travel from Paris to Naples, it could take 16 hours to do so.
A sunny Spezia Port. Source: Shutterstock
What companies run services between Switzerland and Italy?
Train providers
There are two main train companies offering tickets between France and Italy: SNCF and Trenitalia. We’ll take a look at each of these options below.
SNCF is the nationally owned railway company of France. It offers a wide variety of routes through the country and is your best option for international trains as well, including those departing for Italy.
Trenitalia is the national railway company of Italy. It operates both high-speed and regional trains throughout Italy and internationally. There are a few sub-companies underneath the Trenitalia umbrella, such as Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, and Frecciabianca. These are all part of the same company. The distinction is mostly based on the routes that each offers.
The most popular routes from France to Italy
Traveling from France to Italy is easiest with major routes between large cities. The following route options have the most train times to choose from and are often cheaper than traveling between two smaller cities in France and Italy.
- Paris to Milan is perhaps the most common route by rail from France into Italy. There is a dedicated high-speed rail servicing this route, which takes around 6 hours and 50 minutes to complete the trip. However, the average length of the trip is closer to 10 hours.
- Paris to Rome is another very popular rail trip between these two countries. It takes 14 hours on average, or 10 hours and 15 minutes if you find the fastest option. That being said, there is no direct route, so you will need to change trains at some point.
- Marseille to Milan is a popular route for tourists leaving from Southern France. The trip takes an average of about 7 hours and 20 minutes to complete by train.
- Paris to Naples can be a good rail route to use if you want to travel to the south of Italy. However, it’s a relatively long journey, which will last about 16 hours and 30 minutes on an average day.
- Marseille to Rome is another popular route for departures from the south of France. The fastest trains can complete the journey in just over 10 hours. However, most trains take around 14 hours to go from Marseille to Rome.
- Lyon to Milan rounds out our list but is one of the fastest rail options between any two major French and Italian cities. You can complete the journey in around 4 hours and 30 minutes on most days.
Parma Cathedral, Italy. Source: Shutterstock
The most popular stations for departure in France and arrival in Italy
Sometimes, when planning a trip on the railways, it makes sense to start by researching arrival and departure times for specific stations. If that’s how you prefer to plan for your upcoming trip from France to Italy, these are the main railway stations to consider.
- Paris Gare du Nord is the busiest railway station in Europe. It’s where you’ll find the most trains departing for Italy in all of France.
- Paris Gare de Lyon is another railway station in Paris but is a bit more centrally located than Gare du Nord. You can often find trains departing for Italy here.
- Milan Centrale is the main train station in Milan’s downtown area. Most trains that leave France for Italy will at least pass through here, and you may have to change trains at Milan Centrale as well, depending on your final destination.
- Rome Termini is the central train station in Rome and another good place to arrive when departing from France. It’s another train station where you’ll sometimes need to swap trains, depending on your final destination.
- Santa Maria Novella is Florence’s main train station. Florence is only around 296 miles from Marseille, so this may be one of the first major stations you pass through in Italy after entering the country.
- Naples Centrale is the final and southernmost station on our list. It’s centrally located in downtown Naples and is a good spot to arrive if you want to visit this city.
Cathedral Florence. Source: Shutterstock
Best destinations & highlights in Italy
Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world and has plenty to offer to everyone regardless of their interests. That being said, you’ll find the most highlights in major cities. Here are some of our favorites to get you started.
- Milan is one of the closest major cities to France and has a long list of exciting highlights for tourists to enjoy. From the world-famous Duomo di Milano to some of the best fashion and shopping in all of Europe, this popular Italian city will definitely keep you busy.
- Florence is another Italian city that’s relatively close to France’s borders. It’s home to the Uffizi Gallery, which houses some of the most famous Renaissance paintings in the world. The city also has some excellent options for dining and shopping to keep you busy after the museums.
- Venice is an Italian city that stands out not for any single attraction but for the way the town itself is built. Constructed on a series of canals and bridges, Venice is as much water as it is cobblestone. It’s a place everyone should see at least once.
- Rome is a city that needs no introduction. It’s home to the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and many other ancient Roman artifacts. It’s also a truly global city with major sports teams, art galleries, and eclectic shops to visit.
- Naples is the last city on our list, but it’s still a great one to visit when coming from France. It’s home to special southern Italian cuisine, a beautiful coastline, and some wonderful museums, such as Museo Cappella Sansevero.
Best time to travel from France to Italy
The best times to travel from France to Italy are between May and June or September and October. These months offer the best weather but are also the busiest and most expensive times to be a tourist in Italy.
You may be able to save money on your trip by visiting Italy outside of these peak times. However, northern Italy is often busy and expensive throughout the entire spring, summer, and early fall seasons.