Rome to Milan by Train
Direct high-speed (Frecciarossa / Italo) service · from €19
Route Overview
Travel from Rome to Milan by high-speed train in as little as 2 hours and 45 minutes. With up to 90 daily departures operated by both Trenitalia (Frecciarossa) and Italo, this is Italy's busiest and most competitive rail corridor. Non-stop services run between Roma Termini and Milano Centrale at speeds up to 300 km/h on the dedicated TAV high-speed line.
Italy is the only country in Europe with two competing high-speed rail operators on the same routes. Trenitalia's Frecciarossa offers four service levels -- Standard, Premium, Business, and Executive -- while Italo provides Smart, Comfort, Prima, and Club Executive. Both operators include free WiFi and power outlets in all classes.
Tickets start from €19 per person one way in the lowest class. Advance booking is strongly recommended -- Trenitalia's Super Economy and Italo's Low Cost fares offer the deepest discounts but are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Booking typically opens 120 days (approximately 4 months) before departure.
Train Operator
Trenitalia Frecciarossa
Frecciarossa (ETR 500, ETR 1000) high-speed service. Italy's national operator. Four classes: Standard, Premium, Business, Executive.
Direct high-speed · 300 km/h max
Train Operator
Italo
Italo (AGV 575, EVO) private high-speed operator. Four classes: Smart, Comfort, Prima, Club Executive.
Direct high-speed · 300 km/h max
Departure & Arrival Stations
Roma Termini
- Piazza dei Cinquecento, 00185 Roma
- Metro A, Metro B, Bus, Taxi. Leonardo Express to Fiumicino Airport (32 min). Nearby: Roma Tiburtina (some Frecciarossa and Italo trains also stop here)
Milano Centrale
- Piazza Duca d'Aosta 1, 20124 Milano
- Metro M2, M3, Tram 2, 5, Bus. Malpensa Express to Milan Malpensa Airport (52 min). Nearby: Milano Rogoredo (some services stop here, useful for south Milan)
Classes of Service
Standard (Trenitalia) / Smart (Italo)
- Free WiFi
- Power outlets at seats
- Fold-down tables
- Trenitalia: FrecciaBistro cafe-bar car
- Italo: leather seats, snack bar
Premium (Trenitalia) / Comfort (Italo)
- All Standard/Smart features
- Trenitalia Premium: welcome drink and snack service at seat
- Italo Comfort: wider seats with extra legroom
- Power outlets at seats
- Free WiFi
Business (Trenitalia) / Prima (Italo)
- Wider seats with more legroom
- Trenitalia Business: at-seat catering service, Silence Area option
- Italo Prima: Fast Track boarding, welcome service
- Free WiFi and power outlets
- Quieter carriages
Executive (Trenitalia) / Club Executive (Italo)
- Trenitalia Executive: 10 seats per carriage, FRECCIALounge access, chef menu at seat
- Italo Club Executive: personal screen, private catering, Italo Club Lounge access
- Maximum space and privacy
- Free WiFi and power outlets
- Priority boarding
Tickets & Booking Tips
Starting Price
from €19 per person, one way in Standard (Trenitalia) / Smart (Italo) class. Prices range from €19 (Super Economy/Low Cost, advance) to €100+ (Base/Flex, last-minute).
Book Early
Tickets are available Up to 120 days (approximately 4 months) in advance. Advance bookings typically offer the lowest fares.
Children & Youth
Children aged 4-14 receive discounted fares on Trenitalia. Italo offers child fares for ages 2-13.. Standard adult fares apply from age 15.. Children aged 0-3 travel free on an adult's lap without a ticket.
Luggage
No formal baggage limits on Italian high-speed trains.
Good to Know
Two Operators, One Route -- Compare Before You Book
Italy is unique in Europe: two high-speed operators compete directly on the Rome-Milan corridor. Trenitalia's Frecciarossa and Italo offer comparable journey times and onboard services, but prices can differ significantly depending on availability and fare type. On EuroTrain, both operators appear in search results, making it easy to compare.
Non-Stop vs Stopping Services
The fastest Frecciarossa and Italo trains run non-stop between Roma Termini and Milano Centrale in under 3 hours. Other services stop at Florence Santa Maria Novella and Bologna Centrale, adding 20-40 minutes. Non-stop trains are labelled clearly in search results. There are approximately 28 non-stop Frecciarossa services per day on this corridor.
Roma Termini -- Italy's Largest Station
Roma Termini is the main hub for high-speed trains in Rome. It is served by Metro lines A and B, numerous bus routes, and the Leonardo Express shuttle to Fiumicino Airport (32 minutes). Frecciarossa trains typically depart from the western end of the station, while Italo trains depart from the eastern end. Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure to find your platform.
Milano Centrale -- A Station Worth Seeing
Milano Centrale, opened in 1931, is one of Europe's most architecturally impressive railway stations. It is connected to the city by Metro lines M2 (green) and M3 (yellow). The Malpensa Express runs from here to Milan Malpensa Airport in approximately 52 minutes. Shops, restaurants, and luggage storage are available inside the station.
Trenitalia CartaFreccia Loyalty Programme
Frequent travellers on Trenitalia can join CartaFreccia, a free loyalty programme that earns points on every journey. Points can be redeemed for free tickets, upgrades, and lounge access. CartaFreccia members also receive exclusive fare offers and priority customer service. Registration is available on trenitalia.com.
Italo Club Lounge Access
Italo's Club Executive passengers have complimentary access to Italo Club Lounges at major stations including Roma Termini and Milano Centrale. Lounges offer comfortable seating, refreshments, and WiFi in a quiet environment. Prima passengers can purchase day access for an additional fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fastest non-stop Frecciarossa and Italo services take approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. Services that stop at Florence and Bologna typically take around 3 hours and 10 minutes.
Tickets start from €19 per person one way when booked in advance. Trenitalia Super Economy and Italo Low Cost fares offer the deepest discounts. Base (fully flexible) fares cost significantly more, typically €80-100.
Approximately 90 trains operate between Rome and Milan every day, including both Trenitalia and Italo services. Around 45 of these are direct high-speed services.
Most high-speed trains depart from Roma Termini and arrive at Milano Centrale. Some services also stop at Roma Tiburtina (departure) and Milano Rogoredo (arrival). Check your ticket for the correct station.
No. This is a domestic Italian route. No passport, ID check, or check-in is required. Simply board the train with your ticket.
Yes. Frecciarossa trains have a FrecciaBistro cafe-bar car with hot and cold food and beverages. Business and Executive passengers receive at-seat catering service. Italo trains have a similar snack bar, with at-seat catering in Prima and Club Executive classes.
Yes. There is no luggage limit on Italian high-speed trains. Overhead racks and dedicated luggage areas are available at the end of each carriage. Large suitcases should be placed in the luggage area rather than overhead.