Traveling from Spain to Italy: A Guide to Your Journey

The most popular way to travel from Spain to Italy

There are several popular ways to travel from Spain to Italy, depending on your preferences and budget. Overall, the most popular ways to travel from Spain to Italy are by plane and train, followed by bus. It all depends on personal preferences, budget, and travel needs.

Trains from Spain to Italy

You can take a high-speed train from major cities in Spain. The journey takes between 8 and 12 hours depending on the route. There is no direct train from Spain to Italy.

There are various high-speed train routes available, such as the Renfe-SNCF-cooperation which connects cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia with Italian cities like Milan and Rome.

Flights from Spain to Italy

The most popular way to travel from Spain to Italy is by air. There are many direct flights available between major cities in Spain, such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, and major cities in Italy, such as Rome, Milan, and Venice. The flight duration can vary, ranging from 2 to 3 hours, making this option one of the fastest and most convenient.

Bus from Spain to Italy

If you are looking for a budget-friendly option, you can consider taking a bus from Spain to Italy. There are several bus companies that offer direct and indirect routes. The journey can take between 15 and 20 hours, depending on the route.

Cheapest tickets to travel from Spain to Italy

The cheapest tickets for travel from Spain to Italy depends on a few factors, including the time of year and the airports you are flying in and out of.

Budget airlines like Ryanair, Vueling, and easyJet often offer cheaper flights within Europe. If you are looking for the cheapest tickets to travel from Spain to Italy, you should check the prices charged by these budget airlines.

If you use Omio to book a flight from Spain to Italy, you can save money and time, ensuring you get what you need with minimal fuss.

How many hours do I need to travel from Spain to Italy?

The travel time from Spain to Italy depends on several factors such as the mode of transport and the route.

The flight from Madrid, Spain to Rome, Italy takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes, while the flight from Barcelona, Spain to Milan, Italy takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes.

The train travel time from Madrid, Spain to Rome, Italy ranges from 12 to 20 hours, depending on the route and the number of connections. The train travel time from Barcelona, Spain to Milan, Italy ranges from 12 to 15 hours, depending on the route and the number of connections.

The bus travel time from Madrid, Spain to Rome, Italy ranges from 24 to 30 hours, depending on the route and the number of connections. The bus travel time from Barcelona, Spain to Milan, Italy ranges from 16 to 22 hours, and this also depends on the route and number of connections.

Parma Cathedral, Italy. Source: Shutterstock

What companies run services between Spain and Italy?

Train providers

There are several train companies that run services between Spain and Italy, depending on your budget. Here are some of the most popular:

• Renfe-SNCF train provider is a joint venture between Spain's national rail operator, Renfe, and France's national rail operator, SNCF. Renfe-SNCF trains run between Spain and various destinations in Italy, including Milan and Turin.
• Trenitalia is Italy's national rail operator, which runs trains to several destinations in Spain, including Barcelona and Madrid.

Airlines

There are a lot of airline service providers between Spain and Italy. We have listed some of the most popular ones below:

• Iberia is the flagship airline of Spain and operates direct flights from several Spanish cities to various destinations in Italy, including Rome, Milan, and Venice.
• Ryanair is a budget airline that operates flights between various Spanish cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia and several Italian cities including Rome, Milan, and Venice.

Bus providers

There are numerous popular bus service providers from Spain to Italy, depending on the starting location in Spain and the destination in Italy. Here are some examples below

• FlixBus is a well-known bus provider in Europe that offers frequent services between Spain and Italy. They have a wide range of routes and departure times to choose from, so check them out and see which one suits your needs.
• Eurolines is another popular bus provider that offers services between Spain and Italy. They have a variety of routes, including some overnight services.

The most popular routes from Spain to Italy

There are several popular routes from Spain to Italy, depending on the starting location in Spain and the destination in Italy.

• Valencia to Venice(flight time = 2h 30m; train time = 15h; bus time = 27h): This is a popular route that connects two beautiful cities in Southern Europe. Regardless of which method you choose, you will be rewarded with stunning views and memorable experiences along the way.
• Madrid to Rome (flight time = 2h 45m; train time = 17h; bus time = 27h): This is a popular route that connects Spain and Italy. It is always recommended to check the schedules and travel times for your specific journey with the relevant transportation companies to get the most accurate and up-to-date information.
• Munich to Milan (flight time = 1h 35m; train time = 7h; bus time = 9h): These cities are well-connected by bus, flights, and trains. Each of these modes of transportation has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is recommended that you research them beforehand and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.

A beautiful day in the city of Rome. Source: Shutterstock

The most popular stations departing from Spain & arriving in Italy

To enjoy your traveling experience from Spain to Italy, you must be very knowledgeable about their various departure and arrival locations. That way, you won’t find yourself stranded at any stations and can ensure that you always have the quickest, easiest, and cheapest travel options at your disposal. Here are some of the few common stations in these two popular countries:

• Madrid Barajas Airport
• Barcelona Sants Train Station
• Barcelona El Prat Airport
• Barcelona Nord Bus Station
• Barcelona Sant
• Madrid Estación Sur Bus Station

At the end of your trip, here are some major destinations upon arrival in Italy:

• Florence Santa Maria Novella station
• Rome Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
• Roma Termini station
• Milan Malpensa Airport
• Milan Lampugnano Bus Station

Best destinations & highlights in Italy

Italy is a country rich in culture, history, and cuisine. It is the home of the Etruscans and the Romans. It is also where pizza was born and where you will find some of the best olive oils, wines, vinegars, and cheeses that the world has to offer. It’s no wonder that so many tourists flock to this country every single year.

Diversity is one of the things that makes Italy so special. You can immerse yourself in the history of cosmopolitan Rome, travel to the wine regions in the north, or sample some island life in Sicily. And that’s just a snippet of the many great experiences available here.

Here are some of the best destinations and highlights in Italy:

• Rome is the capital of Italy and is known for its ancient ruins, such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
• Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region and is known for its art and architecture.
• Venice is a unique city built on a lagoon and is known for its canals, bridges, and beautiful architecture.
• Milan is the fashion and design capital of Italy and is home to many high-end boutiques and designer stores.
• Naples is a city in southern Italy that is famous for its cuisine, including pizza and seafood.
• Tuscany: Tuscany is a city located in the central region of Italy. This area is popular because of its charming hilltop towns, rolling hills, and vineyards. It’s a dream destination for foodies and wine lovers.
• Cinque Terre: Cinque Terre is a group of five picturesque seaside villages located in the northwest region of Italy. These groups are connected by hiking trails and offer stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.
• Sicily: Sicily is one of the twenty regions in Italy and it is the largest and the most populous in the Mediterranean sea. It is famous for its beautiful beaches, rich history, and delicious food.
• Pompeii: Pompeii is an ancient Roman city near Naples that was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It provides an experience that you simply can’t get in other historical regions, including Rome.
• Sistine Chapel: The Sistine Chapel is a must-visit attraction in Vatican City. It is famous for its stunning ceiling painted by Michelangelo.

Best time to travel from Spain to Italy

Traveling from Spain to Italy by flight, train, or bus will be eventful and full of lifelong memories. It is worth the effort as there are many important things that you will experience.

Some common festivals to attend in Italy includes Festa del Redentore (Venice), Festa della Madonna Bruna (Matera), Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of Two Worlds), Palio di Siena (Siena), and Umbria Jazz Festival (Perugia).

If you want to enjoy these festivals, you should plan your trip around July as these festivals are celebrated around this time.

If you want to avoid crowds and high prices, consider traveling outside of these periods when things are a little quieter.