Best Train App for Italy (and how to use it!)

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Last Updated on September 24, 2024 by Jade and Deeshen

Trenitalia is the best train app for Italy. You can check schedules, prices, purchase tickets and you’ll be able to check real-time status of your train. It’s user friendly, a legit source, and you can purchase tickets directly on the app or website.

Check out our full guide on the 21 best apps for travel to Italy, everything from restaurant reservations, booking the best Italian tour operators, translation, and more!

However, if you’re traveling from Italy to another European country, Trenitalia is not the only train company in Europe.

So, it’s a good idea to have the Trainline app to check multiple train companies offerings to find the easiest way to get where you’re going across Italy and Europe. Trainline is a fantastic third-party app that will let you search and buy tickets for almost all available train and coach companies in Italy.

In this article, we’ll review why Trenitalia is the best train app in Italy, how to use it, its alternative Trainline, and some tips when using both train apps.

We recently traveled across Italy, check out our guides on 24 hours in Venice, or our Milan 3 day itinerary (pssst. be prepared for the strict Duomo Milan dress code).

But first, make sure to book these BEFORE your Italy trip!

  • Best deal for Italy E-Sim – Book your e-sim in advance for the best rates, and avoid long lines. (You can start using internet once you land!)
  • Best deal for Italy Airport Transfers – We highly recommend you book Italy airport transfers in advance. (Hailing a taxi in any Italian city is not fun, and Uber is not available in most Italian cities.)

 Trenitalia – Best Italy Train App to book Train Tickets

Italy is named as one of the best countries for to visit, and its easy to see why! Trains are the easiest and fastest way to travel from city to city across Italy. To be honest, booking Italy train tickets seemed like the most daunting thing for us in the beginning. Not with Trenitalia! Deeshen booked ALL our Italy train tickets across 10 cities in less than two hours using the Trenitalia app. (I must admit, I was impressed at the app and my husband!)

This Trenitalia app is the best train app to buy train tickets in Italy and it’s FREE! The app provides information and tickets for Italian train routes and schedules. Trenitalia is useful for getting around the city and sightseeing in the countryside.

The extensive public transportation system in Italy is great for seeing as much of the country as possible; however, the system can feel disorganized at times, especially in bigger urban cities or small communities with limited service. But Trenitalia makes navigating public transportation in Italy much easier!

We loved all our scenic train rides, and looked forward to each train ride, especially after covering Milan in 2 days, one day in Florence, Rome, and 2 days in Cinque Terre!

Plan your route, buy tickets online, and view departure times using TreniItalia. There are similar apps that are city-specific, but if you’re traveling across multiple cities, regions or even the airport, this is the BEST travel app to cover all of Italy. 

Download Trenitalia app for iOS iphone / Android

Tips for using Trenitalia app to book train tickets for Italy

Here’s how the app looks like and tips for using it to book train tickets for Italy. By leveraging these tips, you can make the most of the Trenitalia app and enjoy a smooth travel experience across Italy.

1. Trenitalia Account Setup

  • Create an Account: Set up a Trenitalia account on the website or app (iOS iphone / Android) to save your preferences, personal information, and payment methods for faster bookings. (We recommend to do this before your trip)
  • Loyalty Program: Sign up for Trenitalia’s loyalty program, CartaFRECCIA, to earn points and enjoy exclusive offers.

2. How to buy train tickets in Italy

  • Advance Booking: Book tickets in advance to secure better prices, especially when buying train tickets for high-speed trains in Italy (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, and Frecciabianca).
  • Flexible Dates: Use the app to compare prices across different days. Sometimes, traveling a day earlier or later can save you money.
  • Ticket Types: Choose the right ticket type. Regional tickets are cheaper but less flexible. High-speed trains offer different classes (Standard, Premium, Business, Executive) with varying levels of comfort and services.

    In our experience, it was completely worth it to upgrade! The seats are better, more spaced out, and less crowded.
  • Seat Selection: If available, choose your seat during the booking process for a more comfortable journey. We always opted to upgrade for longer train rides between cities.

    Here’s a great video on how to book your train tickets in Italy:

3. Download your Offline Tickets

  • Digital Tickets and Offline Access: Download your digital tickets in advance in case you lose internet access. We always had wifi even in the trains, but we downloaded our tickets just in case.
  • Ensure your phone is charged as you will need to show the QR code to the conductor!
  • Real-Time Updates: Use the app to check real-time train schedules, platform information, connection alerts, and any delays or disruptions.

What is the best train app for booking train tickets across Italy and Europe?

Trainline EU is the Best App for European and Italy Train Travel

An alternative to the individual Italian train companies is the Trainline app. If you’re booking a multi-country trip across Europe (and not just Italy), Trainline works for all of Europe. It is a hub for all the train and coach bus companies, schedules, and options.

If you’re just traveling within Italy, use Trenitalia, so that you won’t have to transfer between multiple train companies. If traveling across Europe and Italy, use Trainline.

With Trainline EU, You can easily search, sort, and find the route and times you want and purchase tickets right on the app without incurring additional booking fees. It’s super easy to use, and we love that you can centralize all the bookings in one place. If you’re only booking trains for Italy, though, we still recommend the Trenitalia app above.

It shows you all the times, various train companies’ offerings, and prices, and you can purchase tickets through the app. You get a ticket on your phone to show the conductor, so no paper ticket is needed.

Best Train App for Italy FAQs

Which train app should I use in Italy?

Trenitalia is the best train app to use in Italy. You can check schedules, prices, purchase tickets and you’ll be able to check real-time status of your train. user friendly, lefit source, and you can purchase tickets directly through the app.

However, if you’re traveling from Italy to another European country, Trenitalia is not the only train company in Europe. So, it’s a good idea to have the Trainline app to check the easiest way to get where you’re going across Italy and Europe.

Trainline is a fantastic third-party app that will let you search and buy tickets for almost all available train and coach companies in Italy.

What is the best site to use for trains in Italy?

The easiest way to book train tickets in advance is by using either  trenitalia.com or trainline.com, or the Trenitalia app or Trainline app, with both being valid for Italian train tickets.

What is the best train to use in Italy?

If you plan to take a high speed train in Italy, it may well belong to Trenitalia. Red Arrow (Frecciarossa) trains are the fastest and all passengers benefit from amenities like charging sockets, free WiFi, air conditioning and a food carriage.

What is the best app for traveling around Italy

The best app for traveling around Italy are #1 The Fork for restaurant reservations, #2 GetYourGuide to book the best Italy tour operators, #3 Trenitalia, the best train app for Italy for booking train tickets, #4 Trainline EU, the best train app for booking train tickets across multiple countries in Europe and Italy. Read our my f

Travel Apps to Use in Italy are here . These Italy travel Apps will help you find the best Italy tour companies, learn the Italian language, translate, and find the best Italy restaurants, activities, museums ticket deals, transportation, trains bookings, finding luggage and toilets, and more.

What is the best way to make train reservations in Italy?

Selecting the right train operator when you book your Italy train tickets is crucial. While there are several options available, two of the most reliable choices are Trenitalia and Italo. Both are bookable via Trainline, and we offer user-friendly interfaces, extensive route options, and secure payment methods.

What is the most reliable train company in Italy?

Trenitalia, Italy’s state-run rail network, operates most of the high-speed trains. Others are run by a private company, Italo. The two options are competitively priced and reasonably similar, though they sometimes serve different train stations.

We hope this guide to the best train app in Italy was helpful. Remember to download these best travel apps for Italy check out our other Italy travel itineries and tips!

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