Rome to Milan train

Trains from Rome to Milan

Each day about 75 trains make the approx. 296-mile (477 km) journey from Rome to Milan. Two operators offer high-speed express service which can complete the trip between 2h 59min-3h 10min. Regional/commuter and overnight trains from Rome to Milan take between 6h-10h 30min, some of which involve connections. The highest frequency of train departures leave from Roma Termini Railway Station and arrive at Milano Centrale Railway Station.

Rome to Milan train time: daily departures

Italo runs an average of 32 trains daily or about 225 weekly trains from Rome to Milan, with three departures during the 7:00 a.m. rush hour and two each hour thereafter. Trenitalia operates various lines with a minimum of 40 daily or 280 weekly trains along this route. Frecciarossa high-speed trains make about three trips during the 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and 2:00-7:00 p.m. hours. Overall, the first departure from Rome occurs about 12:10 a.m. and the last leaves around 11:55 p.m.

How long is the journey by train from Rome to Milan?

The majority of Trenitalia Frecciarossa trains from Rome to Milan are direct, completing the leg in about 3h. A few Trenitalia Intercity and Inter Notte departures involve one connection at locations including Pisa, Florence, Genoa and Bologna. Comparatively, if you book reservations with Italo, all departures from Rome run without interruption to Milan and the ride takes between 3h 10min-3h 40min to complete.

Fountain and the Pantheon in Rome. Source: Shutterstock

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Rome to Milan?

Departure train station: Roma Termini, the city’s principal railway station, is located about 1.6 miles (2.7 km) or 8min by car and approx. 15min by metro from Villa Borghese. You can find several essential facilities at Roma Termini such as ticket office, cashpoint machines, currency exchange bureaux, car hire services, luggage storage facilities, bars, restaurants, several retail stores and an Information Desk. Two metro lines (A and B) and a central bus station offer convenient travel links around the city. Rome Tiburtina, the second busiest rail station in the city, has a location about 2.73 miles (4.4 km) or 15min’ drive and approx. 30min via metro to Villa Borghese. Line B metro service and several bus lines provide municipal transport across the city. Upon arrival at Roma Tiburtina you can find convenient facilities such as a ticketing office, car hire centre, cashpoint machines, foreign exchange office and an onsite shopping centre with retail shops and restaurants. Rome’s third busiest station, Roma Ostiense, is approx. 4.5 miles (7.3 km) or 20min by car and about 35min via metro or bus from Villa Borghese. If your Rome to Milan train arrives here, there’s a ticket office, refreshment areas, shops, newsagents, toilets, assistance for disabled passengers and a Help Desk. Metro Line B, bus and tram connections offer transport throughout the city.

Arrival train station: Milano Centrale is located approx. 2.6 miles (4.3 km) or about 20min by car and around 10min via metro from Duomo di Milano. The city’s main rail terminal has metro, tram and bus links for transport around the metropolis. Arriving here on trains from Rome to Milan you can find an Information Office, ticketing centre, cash point machines and left luggage facilities, with shops and restaurants on both Ground and Mezzanine levels. Milano Porta Garibaldi is about 20min via tram and metro or a 15min’ drive of approx. 2.4 miles (4 km) to Duomo di Milano. You can locate various facilities in the station’s main concourse like a main ticketing office and wait rooms. Escalators and lifts provide access to a number of onsite restaurants and retail outlets and there are several cashpoint machines to be found if you need to make withdrawals.

Which train companies travel from Rome to Milan?

Trenitalia and Italo are the principal providers of Rome to Milan trains. Italo offers the most consistent daily service with express trains from Roma Termini to Milano Centrale. Trenitalia provides a number of services such as Inter Notte, Intercity and Frecciarossa high-speed trains, some of which require transfers at Genoa, Bologna, Grosseto and Florence enroute to Milan. If you select Trenitalia Frecciarossa direct trains on this route, your journey time is about 3h while the fastest Italo departures from Rome take approx. 3h 10min to Milan.

Trenitalia trains from Rome to Milan

Trenitalia is the national rail provider operating multiple services to Milan from Rome, with high-speed, regional/commuter and night services for your convenience. In total, the company provides a minimum of 40 daily and over 300 weekly departures from Roma Termini and Roma Tiburtina stations. The daily schedule has about four trains Inter Notte trains, five for Intercity transport and at least 30 Frecciarossa high-speed trains. Train durations aboard Trenitalia Frecciarossa are about 3h, with Intercity journeys around 6h 40min and on Inter Notte trains about 7h non-stop. The earliest departures from Rome are around 12:10 a.m. and the latest about 11:55 p.m.

Italo trains from Rome to Milan

Italo has 32 daily departures or about 235 weekly trains on this route, with at least one night train per day. You can expect consistent express service choosing Italo for this route, with at least two departures per hour between 8:00 a.m. - 8:40 p.m. and three during the 7:00 a.m. morning rush hour. Italo high-speed trains take between 3h 10min-3h 40min to make the trip to Milano Centrale. The earliest departures leave Roma Termini at approx. 5:40 a.m. and the last (night train) leaves around 8:40 p.m.

Trains Rome to Milan: services on board

Passengers aboard Frecciarossa trains from Rome to Milan can travel Executive, Business or Premium class with Standard seating as the economy option. First and Second class seating is available on Trenitalia Intercity and Inter Notte trains. Two suitcases plus one piece of hand luggage can be stored in the storage spaces provided. One disassembled bike per customer is allowed and you may carry one small pet in an appropriate carrier in any seating class. Sale Blu provides assistance to passengers with disabilities given advance notice and there is priority seating with accessible toilets aboard some trains. Wi-Fi and entertainment options are standard on Frecciarossa trains.

Club Executive, Prima, Comfort and Smart are among the seating classes you can enjoy travelling on Italo trains. Two suitcases you and one personal bag per passenger can be stored in the compartments/overhead racks provided. Small cats and dogs weighing less than 11 lbs (5 kg) in pet carriers are permitted onboard but there are no restrictions for assistance animals. Folding and disassembled bikes are allowed in storage cases, storage space permitting. Catering services are provided according to ticket class while the Italo Live Portal offers entertainment choices via Wi-Fi. Designated seating for disabled passengers is available and most trains are equipped with accessible toilets.

Night trains Rome

While Italo provides at least one night train per day, Trenitalia offers at least three during the overnight period, with Frecciarossa running two per day. All night trains run express from Rome to Milan with the longest trip via Inter Notte taking about 7h while the shortest take about 3h.

Traveling by train: sustainable journey

Travelling by train from Rome to Milan is not only fast and cheap, but it is also one of the most sustainable methods of transport between the two cities. Most of the service on this route are powered by electric high-speed trains rather than diesel locomotives, so there fewer emissions which reduce harm to you and the environment.

How to find cheap train tickets from Rome to Milan?

The best way to find cheap train tickets from Rome to Milan is via advanced bookings. Early morning, night trains and those with connecting service are usually offered at less inexpensive fares, so be flexible as possible with your travel dates and plans. You can also check for discounts applicable to minors, seniors, students, disabled travellers and large groups for other ways to save. Our magazineWindow Seat is a great resource for additional savings and travel tips.

Arch detail from a cathedral in Milan. Source: Shutterstock

To Milan by train—travel tips

The northern city of Milan is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular in Western Europe. Home of the Italian Renaissance, it has developed to become a world centre for fashion, tourism, finance and art. Several important building and landmarks dominate the city centre starting with Duomo di Milano or Milan Cathedral, the nearby Palazzo Reale Milano museum and Teatro alla Scala opera house. From here you can find other famous buildings, exciting restaurants and activities for a day of adventure, so consider the following list for some great ideas:

• Sempione Park with Sforsezco Castle and Triennale di Milano museum
• Santa Maria della Grazie, Basilica Sant’Ambrogio and Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore
• Stadio San Siro, home to A.C. Milan and Inter Milan football teams
• Trattatoria Trippa, Seta and Langosteria Bistro for delicious risotto, pasta and seafood dishes
• Via Torino, Corso Vittorio Emmanuelle II and Via della Spiga for fashionable retail shops.