There are a total of 5,670 public transport passes in all EU countries. It is quite possible that one of them is or will be yours. In order for you to know about all the others and get an idea of the fares and options for public transport in all EU countries, we have prepared a digest EU Public Transport.
The information provided will perfectly orient you in the system of passes, benefits, discounts, and prices for travel on public transport in the cities and towns of each EU country. Our information will help you travel across all EU countries at a price that is clear and chosen by you, which is usually not on the radar of hurried tourists.
* We present to you a visual version. The original version of this page contains direct links, of which there are more than 50 on this Italian page. In this example, you can see, read and understand what information about public transport in all EU countries is presented in the digest.
Italy
Public Transport
Italy has a well-developed transport infrastructure. The Italian rail network is extensive, especially in the north, and includes a high-speed rail network that connects virtually all major cities in Italy. Italy has 11 rail border crossings across the Alps with neighboring countries. Italy's paved road network includes an extensive network of motorways, mostly toll roads, and a network of numerous national and local roads. With its long sea coastline, Italy also has more than fifty ports for the transport of goods and passengers.
Trains
High-speed trains are divided into three categories in Italy:
- Frecciarossa (English: red arrow) trains run at a maximum speed of 300 km/h (186 mph) on dedicated high-speed tracks;
- Frecciargento (English: silver arrow) trains run at a maximum speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) on both high-speed and main tracks;
- Frecciabianca (English: white arrow) trains run on high-speed regional lines at a maximum speed of 200 km/h (124 mph).
Travellers who use the railway frequently during their stay in Italy can use rail passes such as the European Inter-Rail or the Italian National and Regional Rail Passes. These rail passes allow passengers to use regional trains freely for the duration of their validity. All high-speed and intercity trains require a €10 seat reservation fee.
Regional passes, such as the Io viaggio ovunque Lombardia, are available for single-day, multi-day and monthly periods. There are also economy passes for adults travelling in a group, with savings of up to 20%.
International travellers must purchase these passes in advance so they can be mailed before their journey. When using rail passes, the travel date must be entered before boarding the train.
The main state-owned high-speed train operator is Trenitalia.
The new and first private train operator in Italy, NTV - under the Italo brand - has been operating high-speed services in competition with Trenitalia.
Trenitalia
Information on all possible train routes, departure and arrival times, all prices and tickets can be found in the Trenitalia app.
The company offers passengers 58 different ticket and pass options for travel on its trains.
Choose a ticket or a season ticket, buy it and go on a trip!
Each ticket link will take you directly to the exact information on the Trenitalia company's website.
Travel Passes Trenitalia
Base
Economy
SuperEconomy
Carta Verde Discount
Carta Silver Discount
Carta Blu
Non-FS Right to Board
Right to Board for FS Personnel
Special Concession III for Solitary Journeys
Special Concession III with Travelling companion
Special Concession VIII 30% Solitary Journeys
Special Concession VIII 30% with Travelling companion
Family
FrecciaFamily
FrecciaFriends
Same Day return
Same Day return Special
Frecce Weekday Same-Week return
Weekend return
Me&You
Smart CarNet
5-Journey CarNet
10-Journey CarNet
15-Journey CarNet
Global PassL
Night&AV
Young
Senior
FrecciaSenior
FrecciaYoung
FrecciaDays
AlilauroLink
SnavLink
Frecce Special
BimbiI Gratis
Special Events
AV Night Special - SPECIALE AV NOTTE
Conventions
Ordinaria
Civitavecchia Express
Promo Punta Raise Families and
IO Studio-MIUR
Mini-Groups
Weekend FVG
FrecciaLink Base
FrecciaLink Promo
CartaFreccia still Young
Insieme
Ordinary Groups
40% Group Discount
60% Group Discount
Upgrade
Serenita'
International Journeys
Freccia 2X1
VOTERS
SENIOR INSIEME SPECIAL
Night trains
The Nightjet of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) serves various major cities in Italy, such as Rome, Venice, Florence and Milan. The trains can be used for travel both within Italy and abroad. The Nightjet trains offer beds in sleeping cars (the most comfortable Nightjet service category), carriages with berths and carriages with seats. On some routes, cars can also be transported on the train. Bicycles can be transported in a bicycle bag and, on some routes, also on special bicycle racks.
Intercity trains
Italian InterCity train at Napoli Centrale railway station
Italian InterCity train at Roma Termini railway station
Main routes:
- Trieste - Rome (stopping in Venice, Bologna, Prato, Florence and Arezzo),
- Milan - Rome (stopping in Genoa, La Spezia, Pisa and Livorno / stopping in Parma, Modena, Bologna, Prato, Florence and Arezzo),
- Bologna - Lecce (stopping in Rimini, Ancona, Pescara, Bari and Brindisi)
- Rome - Reggio Calabria (stopping in Latina and Naples).
In total, 86 intercity trains operate daily in Italy.
Italo Family Offer, children travel for free!
Children under the age of 14 travel for free!
Italo 2x1 Offer, discounts of up to -50%!
Traveling as a couple pays off with Italo!
Free train tickets for children with Italo
Infants under 36 months of age travel free of charge
Italo Friends Offer, discounts up to -60%!
Discover all the convenience of traveling with friends!
Italo Young Offer, discounts up to -70%!
With Italo, travelers aged 14 to 29 travel at incredible prices!
Italo Senior Offer, discounts up to -60%!
With Italo, people over 60 enjoy an advantageous discount!
Italo eXtra Magic, discounts of up to -70%!
Italo’s best travel offer for exploring Italy!
Travel with your pets
Travel on board with your four-legged friend
Travel Pack Smart Worker, up to -80% discount!
Valid for 30 days, in Smart and Prima class.
Day return ticket Offer, discounts of up to -50%!
Explore Italian cities in just 1 day with up to 50% off!
Round Trip Magic Offer
With Italo, traveling during the week between Italian cities is even more affordable!
Travel Pack 10, up to -50% discount!
Valid for 180 days in Prima and Smart class
Waterways
A car ferry across Lake Maggiore from Verbania (Piedmont) to Laveno (Lombardy). In the background are the Monte Rosa and Verbania mountain ranges.
Italy has 2,400 km (1,491 mi) of navigable waterways for various types of commercial traffic, although their overall value is limited.
In the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto, commuter ferries ply Lake Garda and Lake Como, connecting towns and villages on either side of the lakes. The waterways in Venice, including the Grand Canal, serve as a vital transportation network for locals and tourists.
Frequent shuttle ferries (vaporettas) connect various points on the main island of Venice and other outlying islands of the lagoon. In addition, there are direct shuttle boats between Venice and Venice Marco Polo Airport.
Genoa has one of the busiest seaports in Italy.
Gioia Tauro Port
Ravenna Port
Trieste, the main port of the northern Adriatic and the starting point of the Transalpine Pipeline
With its long coastline, Italy also has many ports for the transport of both goods and passengers. In 2004, there were 43 major seaports, including the port of Genoa, the largest in the country and the third busiest in the Mediterranean in terms of cargo tonnage.
Tram
When introducing tram service, we only talk about those cities where it exists.
Bergamo
Cagliari
The Metrocagliari light rail system is a two-line light rail system serving the city of Cagliari and part of its metropolitan region in Sardinia, Italy.
The Cagliari trolleybus system is part of the public transport network of the city and commune of Cagliari in the Sardinia region of Italy. The system consists of three routes serving the city and surrounding communes.
Florence
Trams in Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Type of transport: Tram; Number of lines 2
Fares for Florentine trams are €1,70 per ride, or €15,50 for a ten ride strip. They can be purchased at stations for the trams.
Almost 100 bus lines cross Florence. The city also has a special night service called "Nottetempo".
The most interesting routes for getting around the city center are C1, C2, C3 and C4. Lines 12 and 13 "climb" the hill south of the Arno River and take you to Piazzale Michelangelo and the church of San Miniato al Monte.
The night bus "Nottetempo" runs from 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM and goes to different areas of the city.
Florence has various types of transport.
A single ticket is valid for 90 minutes from the moment it is validated. The ticket costs 1.50 euros.
Agile 10 Card
This magnetic card is loaded with 10 trips of 90 minutes. Like the 4-trip ticket, it can be shared with several people. The card costs 14 euros.
Palermo
The Palermo metropolitan railway service is a commuter rail system operated by Trenitalia.
Mestre
The Venice Tram is a system of rubber-tired trams or shuttle buses that form part of the public transport system in Venice, Favaro Veneto, Mestre and Marghera, three districts of the city and comune of Venice in northeastern Italy.
Milan
Milan's public transport consists of the metro, commuter trains, trams and buses.
Milan Public Transport Tickets
Milan Metro Map
Milan Suburban train map
Naples
Naples City Passes, Cards & Tickets
Naples Metro
The Naples metro network consists of two ANM metro lines, namely the central yellow line 1 and the purple line 6. There are four suburban trains of different companies, namely lines 2 to 5.
A metro ticket valid for one journey on one ANM vehicle costs €1.10.
A metro ticket valid for one or more journeys within 90 minutes, including with different transport companies and funiculars, costs €1.60.
A one-day ticket with unlimited journeys until midnight using public transport of different companies and funiculars costs €4.50.
Naples Train
Several trains depart from the Central Station from Piazza Garibaldi. To plan your route, use the Trenitalia route planner.
Naples Ferry
There are 39 ferries daily from the port of Naples, mostly to the islands off the coast of Naples, but also to Sicily, Capri, Procida and Ischia.
Ferry to Capri, 50 minutes one way, return tickets from 40 to 50 euros
Ferry to Ischia, 60 minutes one way, return tickets around 40 euros
Ferry to Procida, 40 minutes one way, return tickets from 30 to 40 euros.
Naples has a Funicolare line with 14 stations. They take passengers to the tops of the hills. Tickets are sold at machines at the funicular station.
Turin
To travel around the city by public transport, you can use the metro, 8 tram lines and more than 80 bus lines.
Tickets and passes for public transport in Turin are available in digital and paper format. Digital tickets are cheaper.
You can also pay for travel on the Turin metro with a bank card by placing it on the control device.
Trieste
Trieste - Ronchi dei Legionari Airport is located about 35 km from Trieste. It can be reached by bus number 51, operated by APT - Provincial Transport Company of Gorizia. The bus ride from the stop at the train station takes about 1 hour. A one-way ticket costs 4.05 euros.
A railway connection from the Trieste Airport terminal to the Trieste central station is also active with an hourly frequency. The cost is € 8.10 on weekdays and € 6.40 on weekends.
Ferry
The local transport company Trieste Trasporti S.p.A. also manages maritime transport in the Gulf of Trieste. There are currently two routes: Trieste-Muggia all year round and Trieste-Barcola-Grignano-Sistiana in summer. For more information, visit www.triestetrasporti.it/orari-e-percorsi/servizi-marittimi/
Tram
The historic tram Tram de Opicina departs from the central Piazza Oberdan, connecting the centre of Trieste with Villa Opicina, located at 348 metres above sea level, along a very panoramic route. www.triestetrasporti.it/servizi-e-progetti/tram-di-opicina/
Bus
Italy does not have a nationwide coach operator. Many coach companies operate regionally, and particularly offer intercity connections and airport shuttle services. The largest nationwide coach operators include Baltour, Marinobus, Buscenter.it, Italo and FlixBus.
Airports
Rome Fiumicino
Milan Malpensa
Bergamo / Orio al Serio Airport
Venice Marco Polo
Milan Linate
Catania Fontanarossa
Naples Capodichino
Bologna Guglielmo Marconi
Rome Ciampino
Palermo Punta Raisi
Passenger ports of Italy
Palau
Olbia
Naples
Messina
Civitavecchia
Capri
Trieste
Ravenna Port
Romе
Regardless of which type of public transport you plan to use in Rome, the ticket you buy is valid for travel on all public transport in Rome, namely: Metro, Cotral Buses (within Rome), Trams and Trenitalia Regional Trains (second class) on the Rome-Lido, Rome-Viterbo and Rome-Pantano routes. Bus tickets can be bought at any metro station, newsstand or local shop. You can buy several tickets or buy a travel card.
Bus
Currently, Rome has 338 bus lines that run throughout the day, 22 night buses and 8,260 stops. While the size is impressive based on the numbers alone, delays and long waits are also worth mentioning as quite common occurrences.
Each bus stop provides detailed information about the bus lines that serve it.
Types of buses
In Rome there are various types of lines, these are the most popular:
- Urban lines (U): The large majority. They start between 5 am and 6:30 am and finish at midnight. It's important to note that the frequency varies.
- Night buses (N): These lines operate while the urban lines "rest", that is to say, between midnight and 5:00-6:00 am. They operate with very little frequency but are very punctual.
- Express (X): These lines are for the outskirts of Rome, for longer journeys.
- Exact (E): These lines link the centre with the surrounding neighbourhoods. They run on fixed timetables.
Metro
The Rome Metro has only three lines and is currently the smallest metro system in Europe. However, it is capable of reaching the most important sights of the city.
The reason the metro network is limited is because every time a new tunnel is built, many archaeological remains are discovered.
Line A (Orange) It has 27 stations running from northwest to southeast. Battistini - Anagnina. The metro runs every 3 to 5 minutes depending on the day of the week.
Some important stops are:
Cipro - Musei Vaticani - the closest stop to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
Ottaviano - San Pietro - this station is a short walk from St. Peter's Square and St. Peter's Basilica.
Spagna - very convenient for visiting Piazza di Spagna and Villa Borghese. Barberini - Fontana di Trevi - this station is five minutes from the Trevi Fountain. It is also the closest station to Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. Termini - stops at Rome Termini train station. Here visitors can catch the Leonardo Express to reach Fiumicino Airport.
Line B (Blue) Running northeast to south, Line B runs from Laurentina to Rebibbia or Jonio. It has 22 stations plus an extension to four more. The frequency is 5 minutes on weekdays and about 9 minutes on Saturdays and Sundays. The most important stops are:
Termini - a transfer point between the two lines and the arrival point of the Leonardo Express from Fiumicino.
Colosseo - located near the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Piramide - if you are taking the FR1 regional train from Fiumicino, you can catch the metro at this stop.
Line C (Green) This line runs through Rome from the center to the east, connecting San Giovanni (line A) with Monte Compatri Pantano. Trains run every 12 minutes, every day of the week.
Tram
The tram network in Rome consists of six lines:
Line 2: Piazza Mancini – Piazzale Flaminio.
Line 3: Piazza Thorwaldsen – Trastevere.
Line 5: Giovanni Amendola – Piazza dei Gerani.
Line 8: Torre Argentina – Trastevere.
Line 14: Giovanni Amendola – Palmiro Togliatti.
Line 19: Piazza Risorgimento – Piazza dei Gerani. The best line for travellers is line 8, which connects Trastevere with Largo di Torre Argentina.
Trams run from 5:30 am until midnight every day, as do city buses in Rome. At night, trams are replaced by night buses.
Don't forget to validate your ticket Otherwise you will be fined.
The urban trains in Rome
The urban trains in Rome, called Ferrovie Urbane, complement the three metro lines and are run by the same company. The tickets are the same and the prices too.
The Ferrovie Urbane is made up of following three lines:
- Rome – Lido
- Rome – Viterbo
- Rome – Giardinetti
Of these lines the most important from a tourist's point of view is the Rome-Lido, since it stops at Ostia Antica.
Public transport tickets in Rome
Regardless of which type of public transport you plan to use in Rome, the ticket you buy is valid for travel on all public transport in Rome, namely: Metro, Cotral Buses (within Rome), Trams and Trenitalia Regional Trains (second class) on the Rome-Lido, Rome-Viterbo and Rome-Pantano routes.
The tickets for public transport in Rome offered for purchase vary in terms of their validity period and, of course, in price.
- One-way ticket
This ticket is valid for 100 minutes from the moment it is first validated and allows unlimited transfers between metro, buses, trams and urban trains. The only unauthorized transfer is exiting and returning to the metro (via metro turnstiles). The ticket costs €1.50.
- MetroBus 24 hours
This ticket allows unlimited use of public transport - metro, buses, trams or urban trains - from the moment the ticket is validated until midnight of the same day. MetroBus 24 hours costs €7.
- MetroBus 48 hours
A 48-hour ticket allows unlimited use of Rome's public transport - metro, buses, trams or urban trains - for 48 hours from the moment it is first used. The price is €12.50.
- MetroBus 72 hours
It allows unlimited use of public transport for 72 hours from the first use. The price is €18.
- Weekly Pass
You will be able to use public transport without restrictions for 7 days. The price is €24.
- OMNIA Rome & Vatican Card
The OMNIA Rome & Vatican Card, which provides priority access to the main attractions in Rome and the Vatican, includes unlimited use of public transport for 72 hours.
Other passes
If you are planning to stay in Rome for a longer period, there are also annual pass for 250 EUR and monthly pass for 35 EUR.
Don't forget to validate your ticket. At first glance, it may seem that everyone bypasses ticket checks on public transport. However, the reason many people don't validate their tickets is because they have monthly passes. Remember, even if you have a valid ticket, you must validate it at the machine when entering to avoid fines.
Public transport tickets in Rome can be bought:
- from vending machines at any metro station,
- from convenience stores or newsagents.
- to buy tickets by SMS, if you have an Italian phone number.
- from your smartphone
All monthly and annual Metrebus Rome and annual Metrebus Lazio passes are available only in electronic format.
Also BIT, 2-BIT, 3BIT, 5-BIT, 10-BIT, ROME 24/48/72 hour tickets and the Integrated Weekly Card (CIS) can be charged and purchased electronically - as well as in paper format.
E-tickets are durable, reduce queues at the turnstiles and - in case of subscriptions - can be rapidly duplicated in case of loss.
Buy and validate tickets from your smartphone
Bpiù is a payment method via app that is developed across multiple platforms.
Currently you can use the apps MooneyGo, Tabnet, TicketAppy, Dropticket and Telepass Pay to buy 100-minute BIT tickets, ROMA 24/48/72 hour tickets and the monthly and annual personal travel passes.
How it works for 100-minute BIT tickets and ROMA 24/48/72 hour tickets
Follow the guided tour
- When you travel on surface lines: activate your ticket by pressing the “Bus” button before boarding surface transport vehicles (buses, trams and trolleybuses)
- When you travel on metro lines: activate your ticket by pressing the “Metro” button. The QR code readers are placed on the upper part of the access gates (the first gate on the right and the last on the left of each metro station). To avoid the risk of malfunctions, do not lean the phone against the reader, but position it parallel or diagonally to the glass of the reader. It is also advisable to increase the brightness of the phone screen before putting it in front of the reader. Remember that once you have activated the QR Code on your smartphone you will have to pass the gate within two minutes.
- When you travel on metro line C: activate your ticket by pressing the “Bus” button. To gain access, the generated QR code must be held close to the optical readers placed on the metro turnstiles (for detailed information on the use of the QR code see "When you travel on metro lines")
- When you travel by train activate the ticket by pressing the “Train” button and choose the departure station.
How it works for monthly and annual passes
Access the app, sign up for the service and purchase your travel pass. The pass will be issued with the fixed starting and expiry dates and is already active upon purchase. With MooneyGo it is also possible to purchase the personal annual Roma pass.
When you travel on metro lines: hold the QR code generated by the system close to the QR code reader placed on the turnstile, or, if you have an Android device equipped with NFC technology, hold the smartphone close to the NFC reader on the turnstile. The QR code readers are placed on the upper part of the access gates (the first gate on the right and the last on the left of each metro station). To avoid the risk of malfunctions, do not lean the phone against the reader, but position it parallel or diagonally to the glass of the reader. It is also advisable to increase the brightness of the phone screen before putting it in front of the reader.
In case of ticket inspections
In case of ticket inspections, simply open the app and show the ticket inspector the QR code of the activated ticket on your smartphone.
Ferry
Blue Star Ferries routes with Eurail Pass and Global Pass
Aboard Blue Star Ferries you can travel within the following Greek island complexes:
The Cyclades
From the port of Piraeus to Paros - Naxos - Santorini - Amorgos - Ios - Iraklia - Schinoussa - Koufonissi - Donousa - Syros - Tinos - Mykonos and Anafi
The Dodecanese
From the port of Piraeus to Rhodes - Kos - Leros - Patmos - Kalymnos - Astypalea - Tilos - Nisyros - Kastellorizo - Symi - Lipsi and Karpathos
The Northeast Aegean Islands
From the port of Piraeus to Chios - Mytilene - Psara - Oinousses - Samos (Karlovassi & Vathy) - Kos - Rhodes and Karpathos
Crete
From the port of Piraeus to Heraklion and Chania (route in partnership with Anek Lines Ferries)
Discounted passage with a Eurail Global Pass
Holders of a Eurail Global Pass
get a 30% discount on the passenger fare in Economy class on domestic ferries. Surcharges and taxes apply.
Important: The discount is available on the condition that you've made a crossing or have already booked a crossing between Greece and Italy.
You have to prove this by showing the ticket from that crossing.
Discounted passage with a Eurail Greece or Italy Pass
Holders of a Eurail Greece Pass or Italy Pass get a 30% discount on the passenger fare on domestic ferries. Surcharges and taxes apply.
1st class Pass holders are entitled to travel in dormitories (when available*) or air type seats.
2nd class Pass holders are entitled to deck passage.
Grimaldi Lines routes with Eurail Pass and Global Pass.
Routes:
- Barcelona (Spain) - Civitavecchia (Italy)
via Porto Torres (Sardinia)
- Barcelona (Spain) - Savona (Italy)
- Civitavecchia (Italy) - Porto Torres (Sardinia)
- Brindisi (Italy) - Igoumenitsa (Greece)
- Brindisi (Italy) - Patras (Greece)
- Livorno (Italy) - Palermo (Italy)
- Livorno (Italy) - Olbia (Italy)
- Salerno (Italy) - Palermo (Italy)
- Salerno (Italy) - Catania (Italy)
Discounts for Eurail Pass holders
Eurail Pass holders get a 20% reduction on ship passage and 10% discount on accommodation (cabin, berth, pullman seats).
Port taxes, fixed dues, fuel surcharge, and costs for on-board services and meals are excluded from the discount.
For reservation:
- Online at www.grimaldi-lines.com by selecting the agreement EURAIL PASS from the Partnership list and entering your Pass Cover code in the related field. You can find your Pass Cover code in your Travel Diary, shown circled in the image below.