Trenitalia Frecciarossa High-Speed Train Guide
Frecciarossa is Trenitalia’s high-speed train service and is widely regarded as the best train option in Italy.
The name Frecciarossa means “Red Arrow” in Italian, which is quite fitting given the striking design and red livery of these high-speed trains.
In this guide, you can find everything you need to know about Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa high-speed service, including the travel classes on board these trains, the main routes, and other useful details.
About high-speed trains in Italy
Trenitalia is Italy’s national railway company, although it is not the only operator running high-speed trains in the country. In addition to Trenitalia, you can also travel with Italo, a private high-speed train operator that also offers a high-quality service. Trenitalia and Italo compete fiercely, which means that high-speed train tickets in Italy can be highly affordable.
It’s always a good idea to compare ticket prices and departure times between Trenitalia and Italo. A convenient way to search for Italian trains and book your ticket online is by using Omio, which can compare all Trenitalia and Italo options in a single search on its website or app.
High-speed trains in Italy require a compulsory seat reservation, which is automatically included in your ticket. As a result, services can fill up quickly, so booking ahead is strongly recommended, particularly during the summer peak or around public holidays.
High-speed train routes
You can find Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa high-speed train on routes all across Italy, and even on some international routes such as the one linking Milan and Turin with Lyon and Paris in France.
In Italy, the main high-speed rail line runs along the spine of the country, linking Milan with Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples. Turin and Venice are also well connected by high-speed train to the rest of Italy, and Frecciarossa services even run as far north as Bolzano and as far south as Reggio di Calabria.
On dedicated high-speed rail lines, some Frecciarossa trains are capable of reaching speeds of up to 300 kilometres per hour (186 mph). Unsurprisingly, on many Italian rail routes, travelling by high-speed train is faster than flying from city centre to city centre, and competition from rail has significantly reduced the number of daily flights on routes such as Rome to Milan.
Frecciarossa travel classes
On Frecciarossa high-speed trains, you will find the following four travel classes:
- Standard – similar to second class, with seats in a 2+2 configuration. Seats may be upholstered in either cloth or leather.
- Premium – a premium second-class option. Seats remain in a 2+2 configuration but are guaranteed to be leather, and the fare includes a complimentary welcome drink.
- Business – comparable to first class, with wider and more comfortable leather seats in a more spacious 1+2 configuration. A welcome drink and a sweet or savoury snack are included. There is also the option to book Business Silenzio, which offers a first-class seat in a quiet carriage.
- Executive – premium first class, featuring large leather reclining seats in a 1+1 configuration. The fare includes complimentary drinks, snacks, and even meals from an à la carte dine-on-demand menu.
In all travel classes, power sockets are available at your seat, and all Frecciarossa trains are equipped with Wi-Fi. You can store your luggage in the dedicated racks found in each coach or in the overhead bins above your seat.
In addition to these four travel classes, there are several fare types to choose from when booking a Frecciarossa high-speed train ticket:
- Speciale Frecce
- Super Economy
- Economy
- Base
These fare types should not be confused with travel classes, as they only determine whether your ticket is changeable or refundable. It is therefore entirely possible for a restricted Business Class ticket to be cheaper than a fully flexible Standard Class ticket.
Café-bar
On Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa high-speed trains, you will find a café-bar coach where you can buy drinks, snacks and light meals. Of course, you are also free to buy your own food and drinks before departure and bring them on board to enjoy at your seat.
Italian railway stations
At most Italian mainline stations, you must scan the QR code on your ticket to access the platform for your Frecciarossa high-speed train, so make sure you have your ticket ready. Other than this, there is no formal check-in procedure, nor any need to arrive at the station earlier than usual to catch your high-speed train.
Using your Interrail or Eurail pass on Trenitalia Frecciarossa trains
If you are travelling around Italy or Europe with a Global Interrail or Eurail pass, or an Italian rail pass, you can use Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa high-speed trains, although you must make a special passholder reservation.
In our guide on how to make Interrail and Eurail passholder reservations, you can learn how to do this.