Planning an Italy trip and wondering how to get around Italy without a car? You’re in luck with this Italy transportation guide. Italy has an excellent transportation network, and during our trip, we were able to travel between several cities using trains, walk through most city centers, take taxis when needed, and even use the subway and urban railway to get to the beach.
Before our trip, I worried that navigating public transportation in Italy would be confusing. Would we find the right train? Would we understand the signs? How would we get a taxi? And what about getting around Rome?
Honestly, it ended up being much easier than I expected.
During our trip, we flew into Florence from Athens, traveled by high-speed train from Florence to Venice, took another train from Florence to La Spezia for the Cinque Terre, continued by train to Rome, and then flew home from Rome.
We also used taxis, the Rome Metro, the Roma-Lido railway, and even took a golf cart tour around Rome.
So if you’re wondering how to travel around Italy, here’s what we learned along the way.
Quick answer: For most travelers visiting Italy’s major cities, trains are one of the easiest ways to travel between cities, while walking, public transportation, and occasional taxis work well once you’re there.
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Our Italy Transportation Experience at a Glance
Here’s the route we took (we flew into Florence after spending 3 days in Greece):
Florence → Venice → Florence → La Spezia/Cinque Terre → Rome → home
And these were the main types of transportation we used:
- ✈️ Airplane — Athens to Florence and Rome to home
- 🚕 Taxi — Florence airport, Rome, and airport transfer
- 🚆 High-speed trains — Florence to Venice and La Spezia to Rome
- 🚆 Regional trains — Cinque Terre
- 🚇 Metro — Rome
- 🚉 Urban railway — Rome to Ostia
- 🚶 Walking — A LOT of walking
- 🛺 Golf cart — guided Rome sightseeing tour
The nice thing about getting around Italy without a car is that we never felt like we were missing out by not having one.
In fact, for this particular trip, I think having a car would have made things more complicated.
Getting From the Airport to Florence
Our Italy adventure began when we flew from Athens to Florence.
After collecting our luggage, we followed the signs toward the taxi area. The taxis were waiting just outside the airport, and finding them was very easy.
This was our first experience with transportation in Italy, and it was refreshingly simple.
We didn’t have to figure out a complicated bus route after a flight. We simply followed the signs, got in a taxi, and headed to our rental apartment. Most taxi’s will take a card or cash.
My tip for getting a taxi at an Italian airport on this Italy Transportation Guide
Look for the official taxi area outside the terminal rather than accepting a ride from someone who approaches you inside the airport.
Airport transportation is one of those situations where having a plan before you land makes everything easier.
And after a long travel day? Easy is good.
Staying Near a Train Station Can Make Italy Travel Easier
One of the best decisions we made was staying within walking distance of the Florence train station.
Our apartment was about half a mile from the station, which worked out beautifully because we used the train more than once.
We could walk from our apartment to the station, catch our train, and head off to another city without worrying about parking or finding transportation to the station.
This is something I’d strongly consider when booking accommodations in Italy.
If you know you’ll be taking several trains, search for a hotel or apartment near the train station.
You don’t necessarily need to stay right beside it. But being within a comfortable walking distance can save you a lot of time and hassle.
Italy Train Travel: Our Experience With High-Speed Trains
Trains became our main way of traveling between cities.
And honestly, I loved it.
For longer journeys, we used high-speed trains, which made traveling by train in Italy much more convenient than driving.
Our first major train trip was from Florence to Venice.
We booked our tickets through Trenitalia, Italy’s national railway company, about a month before our trip.
I had read that booking high-speed trains in advance can give you access to lower fares compared with waiting until the day of travel. Prices and availability can vary, so I preferred having our transportation booked ahead of time.
Do you need to print your Italy train tickets?
For our trip, we printed our train vouchers before leaving home.
The train staff scanned them during the ride between Florence and Venice and again on our return.
Today, many travelers use digital tickets, but I still like having a printed copy of important transportation reservations as a backup.
Especially when you’re traveling internationally.
One dead phone battery can turn a simple train ride into a headache.
How to Find Your Train Platform in Italy: Information You need to know for this Italy Transportation Guide
This was something I wondered about before our trip.
What if everything at the station is written in Italian?
Fortunately, finding our train was easier than expected.
At the Florence train station, we checked the large information boards for our train number and destination.
The information is presented in Italian, but English translations are also available, so we didn’t have trouble figuring out where to go.
My Italy train travel tip
Don’t arrive at the station and immediately start looking for a platform.
Instead:
- Find the departure information board.
- Locate your train number.
- Check the destination.
- Look for the departure time.
- Find the platform number.
- Follow the signs to your platform.
And keep checking the board.
Your platform can be assigned or changed closer to departure, so it’s better to rely on the station’s current information rather than assuming you know where your train will leave from.
Florence to Venice by High-Speed Train
Our first excursion from Florence was Venice.
We took the high-speed train, and it was one of the easiest travel days of our Italy trip.
There’s something wonderful about sitting on a train and watching the Italian countryside pass outside the window instead of worrying about traffic.
Once we arrived in Venice, we were ready to explore.
And if you’re planning your own Venice day trip, I highly recommend reading my guide on how to spend 1 day in Venice before you go.
We immediately bought our water taxi tickets and headed toward Rialto, where we spent the first part of the day exploring, shopping, and grabbing lunch.
The train made it possible to visit Venice without renting a car or dealing with parking.
That’s one of the biggest advantages of public transportation in Italy.
Florence to Cinque Terre: Changing Trains in Pisa
Our next train adventure took us from Florence to La Spezia, which we used as our base for exploring the Cinque Terre.
This trip required us to change trains in Pisa.
If you’re new to Italy train travel, don’t let a train change scare you.
It sounds more complicated than it really is.
We followed the information on our tickets and the station signs to figure out where we needed to go.
Our hotel in La Spezia was only about 900 feet from the train station, which was fantastic.
With luggage, that short walk made a huge difference.
Again, choosing accommodations near transportation hubs can make getting around Italy without a car much easier.
Using the Train to Explore Cinque Terre
The train is one of the easiest ways to visit the Cinque Terre villages.
Instead of driving between the towns and trying to find parking, we used the train to move from one village to the next.
We traveled from south to north, visiting the villages along the way.
For visitors planning several stops in one day, the Cinque Terre Train Card can be worth considering. Depending on the version you purchase and the current rules, the card can combine train travel between the Cinque Terre stations with access to certain park services and trails. The cost is somewhere around 30 euro.
Before buying one, check the current Cinque Terre National Park information because ticket options and prices can change.
We also did something I highly recommend if you have time.
After touring the villages by train, we took a boat back.
Seeing the colorful villages from the water gave us an entirely different perspective.
So our Cinque Terre transportation strategy became:
Train there → explore the villages → boat back.
And it was fantastic.
Here is a map of exactly how we saw Cinque Terra and which villages we decided to focus on. We took the train from La Spezia to Manarola, continued by train to Vernazza, then took the water shuttle from Vernazza back to Riomaggiore before catching the train back to La Spezia.
Taking the Train From La Spezia to Rome
After our Cinque Terre adventure, we continued to Rome.
We took the train from La Spezia to Rome, giving us another chance to experience high-speed train travel in Italy.
By this point in our trip, we had become pretty comfortable with Italian train stations.
We knew what information to look for, how to find our platform, and what to expect when boarding.
That first Florence-to-Venice trip had taken away most of the nervousness.
And that’s something I’d tell anyone planning their first Italy trip: the first train may feel intimidating. The second one won’t.
Getting Around Rome: Walking Was Our Favorite Transportation
Once we arrived in Rome, we walked to our apartment.
It was about 0.6 miles from the train station, which wasn’t bad for us.
If you have several large suitcases, though, you may want to take a taxi.
There are taxis readily available outside the train station, so you don’t have to walk with luggage if you don’t want to.
Once we settled in, we discovered something important about how to get around Italy’s major cities:
Sometimes the best transportation is your own two feet.
We walked A LOT in Rome.
And honestly, that’s part of the fun.
You can be heading toward the Colosseum and suddenly find yourself walking past a beautiful fountain, tiny café, ancient ruins, or a street that looks like it belongs in a movie.
Rome is a city where getting a little lost can be part of the experience.
Taking Taxis in Rome
We didn’t use taxis constantly, but when we needed one, we used the FREE NOW app.
This was incredibly easy.
We could request a taxi through the app, see the ride information, and pay through the app.
That meant we didn’t have to stand on a street corner trying to flag down a taxi or worry about whether we had enough cash.
For travelers wondering about taxis in Italy, my biggest tip is to use an established taxi service or app rather than accepting unsolicited rides.
And if you’re traveling with luggage, a taxi can be worth every euro.
We Even Took a Golf Cart Through Rome
Here’s a fun addition to our Rome transportation experience.
We booked a golf cart tour through Rome with Viator.
Normally, we would walk between attractions, but this was a great way to see more of the city without wearing ourselves out.
Rome in August is HOT.
And when you’re already walking thousands of steps every day, sitting in a golf cart with a guide while someone else does the driving starts to sound pretty fantastic.
👈🏻Tip: This air-conditioned neck fan was a game changers while touring Rome in August. If you’re going to Italy in the summer, I highly recommend.
The tour also gave us a different view of Rome than we would have gotten simply walking from one attraction to another.
So if you want to see a lot of Rome but don’t want to walk the entire time, a golf cart tour is something I’d consider.
Taking the Rome Metro to the Beach
One of my favorite transportation experiences was actually getting out of Rome.
August in Rome can be brutally hot, so we decided to spend a beach day at Aura Beach Club in Ostia.
Getting there using public transportation in Italy was surprisingly simple (and affordable).
We started at Cavour station and took the Metro toward Laurentina.
The really cool part?
We didn’t need to stand at a ticket machine and figure out what ticket to buy.
We simply tapped our credit card at the reader to enter.
Rome’s ATAC system currently supports contactless Tap & Go payments on the Metro and on the Roma-Lido urban railway, among other services.
Then we switched to the Roma-Lido railway
At the transfer point, we changed from the Metro to the Roma-Lido railway.
You don’t need to leave the railway system to make the transfer.
And, based on our trip, we didn’t have to pay a separate fare for the transfer.
The entire journey to Ostia cost us around €1.50 each way.
The exact fare structure can change, so check current ATAC pricing before your trip.
The signs were easy to follow, and the railway made several stops along the way.
Once we reached the beach, we spent the day at Aura Beach Club.
It was exactly what we needed after several busy days of sightseeing.
One Important Tip When Using Tap-to-Pay in Rome
Here’s something I learned that is worth knowing before you go.
When using Rome’s Tap & Go system, use the same card or device throughout the journey.
ATAC says the service is individual, meaning one contactless card cannot be used to pay for multiple travelers. It also advises travelers to tap when changing transportation.
So don’t tap your physical card for one part of the trip and then switch to Apple Pay for another.
Pick one payment method and stick with it.
And when tapping, remove the card from your wallet so the reader doesn’t accidentally detect another contactless card.
Getting Back From Ostia
When we were ready to leave the beach, we simply reversed the journey.
We took the Roma-Lido railway back toward Rome and then continued on the Metro.
The whole experience made me realize just how practical public transportation in Italy can be.
We had gone from the middle of Rome to the Mediterranean coast without renting a car, arranging a private transfer, or spending a fortune.
That’s a win in my book.
Getting a Taxi to the Rome Airport
When our Italy trip came to an end, we flew directly home from Rome.
Rather than worrying about finding a taxi early in the morning, we booked one through FREE NOW the day before.
The taxi arrived on time, and we got to the airport without any problems.
For an airport departure, I prefer having this part of the trip arranged ahead of time.
You have a flight to catch. It’s not the morning to experiment with transportation.
Do You Need a Car in Italy?
For the itinerary we did, absolutely not.
We traveled between Florence, Venice, La Spezia, Cinque Terre, and Rome using trains and public transportation.
Within the cities, we mostly walked.
When we needed transportation, we used taxis or local transit.
This is why getting around Italy without a car can be such a good option for a first-time visitor.
A car might be useful if you’re exploring rural Tuscany, small villages, or areas where train service is limited. But if your Italy itinerary focuses on major cities, trains can be much easier.
You don’t have to worry about:
- Finding parking
- Driving in unfamiliar cities
- Traffic
- ZTL restricted driving zones
- Paying for fuel
- Navigating narrow historic streets
And let’s be honest, nobody wants to spend their Italian vacation hunting for a parking space.
My Best Tips for Getting Around Italy
After traveling through Italy using several different types of transportation, these are the tips I’d pass along to another traveler.
Book high-speed trains ahead when possible
We booked our Florence-to-Venice train about a month ahead.
Advance fares can be cheaper, although prices depend on the route, train, fare type, and how far ahead you book.
Stay near train stations when you’ll use them often
Our Florence apartment was about half a mile from the station, and our La Spezia hotel was only about 900 feet away.
That made train travel much easier.
Don’t panic about Italian train stations
Look at the departure boards.
Find your train number.
Check your destination and platform.
The English information made it much easier than I expected.
Keep your transportation information handy
I like having both digital and printed copies of important reservations.
It’s a simple backup that can save you stress.
Use trains between major cities
For our route, trains were the clear winner.
They’re convenient, comfortable, and eliminate the hassle of driving into historic city centers.
Walk whenever you can
Some of our favorite moments in Italy happened while we were simply walking from one place to another.
Use taxis when they make sense
You don’t have to be completely committed to public transportation.
Sometimes you’re tired.
Sometimes you have luggage.
Sometimes it’s 95 degrees outside.
Take the taxi.
Don’t be afraid of local transportation
The Rome Metro and Roma-Lido railway looked intimidating on paper.
In reality, they were easy to use.
And being able to reach the beach for roughly the cost of a quick snack was pretty fantastic.
How to Travel Around Italy: What I’d Do Again
If I planned this exact trip again, I wouldn’t change much about how we handled transportation.
I’d still fly into Florence.
I’d still use the high-speed train to Venice.
I’d still take the train to La Spezia and use the trains to explore Cinque Terre.
I’d still take the train from La Spezia to Rome.
And I’d still rely on walking, taxis, and public transportation once we reached Rome.
The biggest lesson I took away is that how to travel around Italy doesn’t have to be complicated.
You don’t need to rent a car.
You don’t need to understand every Italian word.
And you don’t need to be an expert in European train systems.
You need a little planning, a good transportation app or two, and enough confidence to look at the departure board and figure it out.
And once you do it the first time, you’ll probably wonder why you were nervous about it in the first place.
Final Thoughts on Public Transportation in Italy Guide
Italy’s transportation system ended up being one of the easiest parts of our trip.
We used airplanes, high-speed trains, regional trains, taxis, the Metro, an urban railway, and even a golf cart — and each one served a different purpose.
For travelers asking how to get around Italy, my biggest recommendation is to think about transportation based on the type of trip you’re taking.
Between major cities? Take the train.
Exploring a city center? Walk.
Have luggage or need an airport transfer? Take a taxi.
Going farther outside the city? Look at local trains, buses, or flights.
And if you’re planning a first Italy trip like ours, don’t let transportation be the thing that holds you back.
We went from Greece to Florence, then Florence to Venice, Florence to Cinque Terre, La Spezia to Rome, and finally Rome to home — all without renting a car.
For us, getting around Italy without a car wasn’t just possible.
It was one of the best parts of the trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Around Italy on This Transportation Guide
Is it easy to get around Italy without a car?
Yes! Getting around Italy without a car is very easy, especially if your itinerary includes major cities such as Florence, Venice, Rome, and La Spezia. High-speed trains connect many popular destinations, while walking, taxis, subways, and local trains make it easy to get around once you arrive.
What is the best way to travel around Italy?
For most travelers, trains are the best way to travel around Italy, especially between major cities. High-speed trains are comfortable and convenient, while regional trains are useful for shorter trips and destinations such as the Cinque Terre. Within cities, walking and public transportation are often the easiest options.
Do I need a car to travel around Italy?
No, you don’t need a car for many popular Italy itineraries. We traveled from Florence to Venice, Florence to La Spezia, and La Spezia to Rome entirely by train. We also explored Rome mostly on foot and used the Metro, local railway, and taxis when needed.
Is public transportation in Italy easy to use?
Yes. We found public transportation in Italy much easier to navigate than we expected. Train stations have departure boards with English translations, and major cities have clear signs for subways and other public transportation. Once you understand how the system works, getting around becomes much less intimidating.
Is it cheaper to book trains in Italy in advance?
Booking high-speed trains in advance can help you find lower fares, although prices vary by route, train, fare type, and availability. We booked our Florence-to-Venice train about a month ahead of time rather than waiting until the day of travel.
How do you buy train tickets in Italy?
Train tickets can be purchased online through railway websites such as Trenitalia, at train stations, or through ticket machines. For our trip, we booked our high-speed trains through Trenitalia ahead of time and printed our vouchers before leaving home.
How do you find your train platform in Italy?
Look for the large departure information boards inside the train station. Find your train number, destination, departure time, and platform number, then follow the signs to your platform. English translations are generally available, which made this much easier for us as first-time visitors.
Are taxis easy to find in Italy?
Yes. Taxis are readily available in major cities and at transportation hubs. We found taxis outside the Florence airport and Rome train station. In Rome, we also used the FREE NOW app to request taxis and pay through the app.
Can you use a credit card to pay for transportation in Italy?
In many places, yes. Payment options vary by transportation system, but contactless payment is increasingly common. In Rome, we used a credit card to tap into the Metro and continue onto the Roma-Lido railway.
Can you use the Metro in Rome with a credit card?
Yes. Rome’s ATAC system offers Tap & Go, allowing travelers to use a contactless credit or debit card or compatible mobile device on participating public transportation. ATAC currently includes the Metro and Roma-Lido/Metromare among the services where Tap & Go is available.
How much does public transportation cost in Rome?
The price depends on the ticket or pass you choose. During our trip, our journey from Rome to Ostia using the Metro and Roma-Lido railway cost us about €1.50 each way. Fares can change, so check the current ATAC prices before your trip.
Can you take a train to the Cinque Terre?
Yes. The train is one of the easiest ways to visit the five Cinque Terre villages. We stayed in La Spezia and used the train to travel between the villages. A Cinque Terre Train Card may also be a good option if you plan to visit several villages in one day.
What is the best way to get around Cinque Terre?
For our trip, we used the train to travel between the Cinque Terre villages and then took a boat back. The train was convenient and allowed us to travel from south to north through the villages without worrying about parking.
Is it better to take a train or fly between cities in Italy?
For many popular city-to-city routes, the train is a great choice. High-speed trains connect cities such as Florence, Venice, Rome, and other major destinations without the extra airport time involved with flying. For longer distances, however, flying may make more sense depending on your itinerary.
How do you get from the airport to your hotel in Italy?
Your options will depend on the city and airport. Taxis, trains, airport buses, and private transfers are common choices. We took a taxi from the Florence airport to our apartment and booked a taxi through FREE NOW when we needed transportation to the Rome airport.
Is Italy’s transportation system safe for tourists?
Italy’s major transportation systems are widely used by both locals and visitors. As with any busy tourist destination, keep an eye on your belongings in crowded train stations, trains, buses, and Metro stations. Pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas, so it’s smart to keep valuables secure.
What is the easiest way to get around Rome?
For us, it was a combination of walking, the Metro, and taxis. Rome’s historic center is very walkable, but the Metro is useful when you’re traveling farther across the city. We also used FREE NOW for taxis and took a golf cart tour to see more of Rome without walking the entire day.
Can you travel around Italy by train with luggage?
Absolutely. We traveled by train with our luggage throughout our trip. However, keep in mind that you’ll need to get your luggage on and off the train yourself, and some train stations can involve stairs or a fair amount of walking. Staying near the train station can make a big difference when you’re traveling with several bags.
What is the best way to travel around Italy for first-time visitors?
For a first trip, I’d recommend a combination of high-speed trains between major cities, local public transportation within cities, and walking whenever possible. Add taxis when you have luggage or simply need a break. That’s essentially what we did, and it allowed us to visit several Italian destinations without renting a car.
