Are you looking for a train route to visit northern Italy in 1 week? Well, in this article, I offer you a romantic itinerary that will take you by train to discover Rome, Florence, Venice, Verona, Milan and the magnificent Cinque Terre.

I also share my tips for traveling cheaply in Italy and getting the most out of your trip of a week or more.

Why choose the train to visit Italy in 1 week?

Traveling by train in Italy has many advantages:

• First of all, Italy's rail network is well developed, providing convenient connections between major cities, as well as connections to more remote destinations. This allows travelers to plan a comprehensive itinerary covering a wide variety of sights.
• Additionally, the train offers a relaxing and comfortable travel experience. Modern railcars are equipped with spacious seats, amenities such as power outlets and Wi-Fi, and often offer on-board dining options. Travelers can thus enjoy the landscape while having the opportunity to move freely on the train to stretch their legs or visit the dining cars.
• Another significant benefit is the reduction in travel-related carbon footprint. By choosing the train rather than the car or plane, travelers contribute to environmental sustainability while having the opportunity to experience Italy in a more authentic way. Indeed, the train allows you to fully immerse yourself in Italian culture by offering direct connections to city centers, avoiding the hassle of parking and providing easy access to sights and local experiences.

How to travel cheaply in northern Italy?

When I decided to visit northern Italy, I compared the prices of transportation by car, plane and train. However, I was able to see that the train is indeed the most economical way to travel in Italy.

In fact, for approximately € 200, all Europeans can visit the most beautiful cities of Italy by choosing the Interrail Italy Pass which allows me to make my itinerary below. If you are not European, you have the same possibilities but on the site eurail.com.

How long is this train tour?

By taking an Interrail pass, you can visit Italy in as much time as you want but in a maximum of 1 month. In fact, this package allows you to freely choose the dates and times of your train journeys provided they do not exceed 30 days.

But if you have little time, you can visit Italy by train in 1 week by following this optimized circuit (choose night trains or trains with very early morning schedules).

Italy by train in 1 week – Itinerary

This route starts from Rome and passes through the most beautiful cities in Italy: Florence, Venice, Verona, Milan and Manarola in the Cinque Terre. It is therefore an itinerary which allows you to visit the most beautiful sites in Northern Italy. You can combine it with another itinerary that allows you to visit Southern Italy by train.

Here is the route map to visit Northern Italy by train:

Tour to visit northern Italy by train

Here are details of the most beautiful sites that you can visit in northern Italy with this train itinerary:

Day 1 – Rome

Your train journey begins from the city of Rome, nicknamed the “Eternal City”.

From Roma Termini train station you can easily and quickly get to the city center. In fact, the station is 15 minutes from the city center. You can take the bus (direction Fontana di Trevi) or the metro (Spagna or Colosseo station).

After dropping off your luggage at your accommodation, head towards the historic heart of the city to discover its ancient treasures: See how to visit Rome on foot in 1 day.

At the end of the day, go to San Miniato al Monte to admire the sunset over the city and then spend the night in Rome. See this hotel to stay in Rome.

The next day you will go from Rome to Florence by train in 1h30 journey.

Day 2 – Florence

The next stop on your trip is Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance.

You will arrive at Firenze SMN station and can reach the historic center of Florence on foot (12 minutes walk) via Via Panzani.

This city is full of art, history and magnificent architecture. To visit it, I recommend that you follow my tour to visit Florence on foot in 1 day.

Then you will spend the night there (see this nice hotel in the heart of Florence)

The next day you will go from Florence to Venice by train in less than 3 hours of travel.

Days 3 and 4 – Venice

Day three of your Italy train adventure takes you from Florence to Venice, a city renowned for its romance and timeless charm.

You will arrive at the Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia where my walking tour leaves for visit Venice in 1 day.

You can spend 2 days in Venice to fully enjoy this exceptional site. See my hotel recommendation: Ca' Dei Dogi

Two days later you will go from Venice to Verona by train in 1 hour journey.

Day 5 – Verona

You will arrive at Porta Nuova station where you can take a bus to Stazione S. Fermo 2. In 20 minutes you will be in the center of Verona.

Verona is a romantic city par excellence and is famous for being the setting of the greatest romantic tragedy of all time, Romeo and Juliet. Visit Juliet's house, the Casa di Giulietta, and admire the famous balcony that inspired the famous love scene in Shakespeare's play.

Stroll around the beautiful Piazza delle Erbe and soak up the city's romantic atmosphere.

If you are lucky enough to visit Verona in summer, don't miss the Verona Festival, an opera festival held in the 2-year-old Roman amphitheater.

The next day you will go from Verona to Milan by train in less than 2 hours of travel.

Day 6 – Milan

You will arrive at Milan Central Station. From there you can get to the historic center in just 10 minutes with metro line 3 (yellow) from Centrale FS to Duomo.

Milan is the fashion capital of Italy, but this city has much more to offer than luxury boutiques. See how visit Milan in 1 day on foot.

Be sure to go to the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie to admire the famous mural by Leonardo da Vinci, The Lord's Supper.

If you don't know where to stay in Milan, I recommend the Radisson Collection Hotel, Palazzo Touring Club Milano.

The next day you will go from Milan to Cinque Terre by train in 3 hours and 15 minutes of travel.

Days 7 and more – Cinque Terre

You arrive at La Spezia, the main city train station closest to the Cinque Terre tourist spot. From there you can travel by train from one village to another.

To visit the most beautiful villages of the Cinque Terre (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare), I suggest you read my article: How to visit Cinque Terre by train

Here is a very practical hotel for visiting all the villages by train because it is very close to the station in Spezia: Venice hotels