Intercity Notte: On the night train through Italy
With the Intercity Notte, you can travel comfortably and affordably to the south in your sleep. Here are all the routes and the best tips and tricks for the night train in Italy.
Whether in Milan, Turin, or Rome – every evening, night trains set off through the country from Italy's major cities. They take you to the most beautiful corners of Italy: from the southernmost tip of Sicily to Trieste on the border with Slovenia, from Piedmont in the northwest to Lecce in the southeast.
Italy is a hidden gem of night train travel. Almost unnoticed, a dense network of connections has been preserved here, which continues to play a central role in transport between the north and south. The night trains are operated by the state railway company Trenitalia under the name Intercity Notte. More than a dozen lines connect almost all regions of the country.
In this guide, we introduce you to the Italian night train network: What routes are there? What is the comfort like on board? And where can you find the cheapest tickets? We answer these and many other questions about the Intercity Notte here.
Please note: In this article, we exclusively cover the domestic Italian night trains of Trenitalia. With the ÖBB Nightjet, there are also international night trains to Italy, which allow you to travel directly from Germany and Austria to Rome or Venice. You can find out more about this here.
Routes
Italy's night train network is one of the densest in Europe. In total, the Intercity Notte operate on 15 routes, primarily from the north to the holiday regions in the south of the country. On some routes, several night trains even run per night. Through different routes and intermediate stops, they serve not only the major cities but also numerous smaller towns.
The most important night train hubs in northern Italy are Milan and Turin. Several connections to the south start from here, including to Lecce, Salerno, Reggio Calabria, as well as to Syracuse and Palermo in Sicily. Other night trains operate from Rome: Besides destinations in the south, you can also reach Bolzano in South Tyrol and Trieste on the Slovenian border from there. Except for two weekend connections from Rome, all Intercity Notte trains run daily.
Below you will find an overview of all Italian night train connections, sorted by the regions and destinations you can reach with them.
Night trains to Sicily
Reachable destinations: Taormina, Syracuse, Palermo
Sicily is the southernmost and at the same time most spectacular destination of the Italian night trains. A total of six connections lead from northern Italy and Rome directly to the largest island in the Mediterranean. The approximately 20-hour journey from Milan to Sicily is one of the great classics of European night train travel.
In the morning, the journey takes you along the beautiful coasts of Campania and Calabria, then the big highlight awaits: In Villa San Giovanni at the tip of the Italian boot, the entire train is loaded onto a ferry and transported to Sicily. The crossing takes a good 20 minutes. During this time, you can get off the train, breathe in the fresh sea air – and eat your first arancini in the café. An experience that exists only once more in Europe!
In Messina, the train is then split into two parts. One part of the train continues via Taormina to ancient Syracuse (Italian: Siracusa), with views of the smoking Mount Etna included. The other follows the north coast to Palermo, the lively capital of Sicily.
Milan – Sicily
- Milan to Syracuse
Intercity Notte 1963 - Syracuse to Milan
Intercity Notte 1962 - Milan to Palermo
Intercity Notte 1963 - Palermo to Milan
Intercity Notte 1964
Rome – Sicily
- Rome to Syracuse
Intercity Notte 1955, Intercity Notte 1959 - Syracuse to Rome
Intercity Notte 1956, Intercity Notte 1960 - Rome to Palermo
Intercity Notte 1955, Intercity Notte 1959 - Palermo to Rome
Intercity Notte 1954, Intercity Notte 1958
Night trains to Apulia
Reachable destinations: Bari, Brindisi, Taranto, Lecce
Apulia, the region at the heel of the Italian boot, has a lot to offer. Sun and sea are guaranteed here, and countless ruins tell of past civilizations. The long sandy and rocky beaches, the sea caves, and the good food have been attracting holidaymakers to the Adriatic for generations. Ferries also depart from Bari and Brindisi to Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, and Greece.
The night trains to Apulia terminate in the beautiful baroque city of Lecce on the Salento peninsula. Two trains depart from Milan every evening, one of which travels via the industrial and port city of Taranto on the gulf of the same name. Another night train to Lecce starts from Turin. All three are perfect for a journey from German-speaking countries, with convenient transfer times in Milan or Bologna from the EuroCity trains from Munich, Innsbruck, and Zurich.
There is also a night train from Rome to Lecce, but only on weekends. From a tourist's perspective, it is only suitable to a limited extent – the journey from Rome to Lecce takes only five and a half hours during the day and is actually too beautiful to sleep through.
Milan – Lecce
- Milan to Lecce
Intercity Notte 755, Intercity Notte 765 - Lecce to Milan
Intercity Notte 752, Intercity Notte 758
Turin – Lecce
- Turin to Lecce
Intercity Notte 757 - Lecce to Turin
Intercity Notte 754
Rome – Lecce
- Rome to Lecce
Intercity Notte 789 (Fridays) - Lecce to Rome
Intercity Notte 788 (Sundays)
Night trains to Campania
Reachable destinations: Naples, Salerno
The Amalfi Coast with its fishing villages on the deep blue sea. The islands of Ischia and Capri. The sunken city of Pompeii. And of course, the famous Neapolitan pizza. Hardly any region in Italy combines as many highlights as Campania around the Gulf of Naples. It's no wonder that several night trains also stop here.
Two Intercity Notte trains run daily from Turin to Campania. Both terminate in Salerno and also stop in Naples in the morning. In the north, their routes differ: while one of the two trains runs via Genoa along the Ligurian coast, the other goes via Milan. There, connections are available to trains from German-speaking countries.
Turin – Salerno
- Turin to Salerno
Intercity Notte 795, Intercity Notte 797, Intercity Notte 799, Intercity Notte 899 - Salerno to Turin
Intercity Notte 794, Intercity Notte 796, Intercity Notte 798, Intercity Notte 1558
Milan – Salerno
- Milan to Salerno
Intercity Notte 797, Intercity Notte 1963 - Salerno to Milan
Intercity Notte 798, Intercity Notte 1558, Intercity Notte 1962
Night trains to Calabria
Reachable destinations: Villa San Giovanni, Reggio Calabria
In the far southwest, at the tip of the Italian boot, lies Calabria. Ancient forests crisscross the region, providing pleasant shade in the hot summer. Calabria also has a lot to offer culinary-wise – besides the bergamot, the region's "green gold," the fiery peperoncini are a must in Calabrian cuisine.
In addition to the night trains to Sicily, which stop in Villa San Giovanni, there is a dedicated long-distance night train from Turin to the Calabrian port city of Reggio Calabria. The train departs in the early afternoon and stops at numerous cities in northern Italy along the way.
Turin – Reggio Calabria
- Turin to Reggio Calabria
Intercity Notte 795 - Reggio Calabria to Turin
Intercity Notte 794
Night trains to Veneto & South Tyrol
Reachable destinations: Venice, Trieste, Bolzano, San Candido
While most Italian night trains head to the holiday regions in the south, there are also connections from Rome to the northeast of Italy and the Alps. A daily Intercity Notte runs via the lagoon city of Venice to Trieste in the border region with Slovenia. From the stop in Gorizia just before Trieste, it is only a short walk across the border to Nova Gorica in Slovenia.
Additionally, a night train runs from Rome to Bolzano (Italian: Bolzano) in South Tyrol on weekends. The city is considered the gateway to the Dolomites and is an ideal starting point for mountain adventures of all kinds. During the winter season, the service is sometimes extended to San Candido (San Candido) in the Three Peaks ski area.
Rome – Venice – Trieste
- Trieste to Rome
Intercity Notte 770 - Rome to Trieste
Intercity Notte 774
Rome – Bolzano
- Rome to Bolzano
Intercity Notte 764 (Fridays, Saturdays) - Bolzano to Rome
Intercity Notte 763 (Saturdays, Sundays)
Comfort on board
On all Intercity Notte lines, sleeping cars and couchette cars are available. With the exception of the connections to Sicily, seating cars are also on board. Seat reservations are mandatory in all travel classes. The cars have been renovated in recent years and are generally clean. The punctuality of night trains in Italy is high, although minor delays can always occur.
Thanks to extensive renovation work on the Italian rail network, the night trains now run relatively quietly, and the old rumbling of the wheels has significantly decreased. All cars are air-conditioned and have fold-out seats in the corridors.
The train staff often only speak Italian. However, communication usually works out with hand gestures and the help of fellow travelers.
Sleeping car
The standard sleeping cars in Italy are called 'Relax'. All compartments have three beds and can be booked for single, double, or triple occupancy. Solo travelers automatically receive a single compartment; sharing a compartment with strangers is no longer possible. For families and groups, adjoining compartments can be connected by a door.
The beds are comfortable and can be converted into seats during the day. In single or double occupancy, the middle seat can also be folded out to form a table. A ladder for climbing into the upper beds is stowed under the lower bed.
The compartment has a washbasin with a mirror, a small shelf, and coat hangers. Each bed has a two-pin socket and a reading light. Lighting and temperature can be controlled by a switch. Luggage space is not abundant, but it's enough for a backpack or suitcase. Washrooms and toilets are located at the end of the car; there are no showers in the standard sleeping car.
When you enter the compartment, you will find the beds freshly made and sealed in plastic. For each passenger, there are small bags with toiletries and slippers, as well as water and a snack.
A word on security: The compartments can be locked from the inside. This is highly recommended, as thefts are still occasionally reported.
Sleeping car 'Superior'
On some connections, sleeping cars with enhanced comfort are also offered. These are designated as 'Superior'. The compartments have a private bathroom with a shower and toilet, as well as a table. They can be booked for single or double occupancy. Unfortunately, there have been multiple reports in the past that the shower did not work.
The 'Superior' sleeping cars are currently only used on the connections from Rome to Trieste, Bolzano, and Lecce.
Couchette car
In the couchette cars, called 'Comfort', there are only 4-berth compartments. Unlike in the sleeping car, the compartment is usually shared with strangers. It is possible for a family to reserve a private compartment. Women can also book a berth in a women-only compartment. It can sometimes be noisy in the couchette car as people get on and off along the route.
The simple berths are less comfortable, but at 190 cm, they are about 10 cm longer than the beds in the sleeping car. During the day, the berths can be converted into seats with folding tables. Here too, you will find the ladder to the upper berths stowed under the lower one. Each berth has a reading light, and there are usually two sockets per compartment. Washrooms and toilets are at the end of the corridor. The compartments can be locked from the inside.
Before departure, the train crew distributes thin fabric sleeping bags, small pillows, and woolen blankets for the night. Additionally, each traveler receives a gift kit with toiletries, a bottle of water, a small snack, and a fruit juice packet.
Seating car
The seating cars are labeled 'Easy'. On most connections, open-plan cars are used. Here, most seats are arranged in groups of four, and the lights may stay on throughout the night. Sometimes, there are also cars with compartments of six seats each. Light, speakers, and heating can be adjusted individually here, and there is also a curtain to the corridor. All seating cars have sockets and a small table; toilets are always at the end of the car.
There is more space for luggage in the seating car than in the couchette and sleeping cars; a disassembled bicycle can also be transported in a suitable bag.
Catering
The night trains in Italy do not have a dining car. In the sleeping car, a small breakfast is served to the compartment in the morning. It usually consists of an espresso, simple pastries, and fruit juice. Daily newspapers are also available in the corridor. Usually, the order for hot drinks for the morning is taken in the evening. At the same time, the wake-up time is arranged and the ticket is checked. Coffee and fruit juice are also available in the couchette car.
You can also buy various other snacks, drinks, and even small hot meals in the evening from the train crew. A menu is available here. On the night train journey to Sicily, there is also the option to use the catering services on board the ferry.
Other facilities
- Accessibility
The cars currently used on the Intercity Notte are not accessible and do not have wheelchair compartments. At larger stations, assistance for boarding and alighting for persons with reduced mobility is available through the “Sala Blu” service. This must be requested at least 24 hours in advance, and booking with a wheelchair on the Intercity Notte is unfortunately not possible at the moment. - Bicycle transport
Taking assembled bicycles on the Intercity Notte is not possible. Folding bikes and disassembled bicycles can be carried free of charge, provided they do not exceed the dimensions of a standard piece of luggage. - Pets
Dogs, cats, and other pets can be carried free of charge, provided they are in a carrier (max. 70 x 30 x 50 cm). For larger dogs, an additional ticket costing €5 is required. Dogs must be on a leash and wear a muzzle. They are only allowed in couchette and sleeping cars in a private compartment. You can also order pet food items from the train crew.
Tickets & Prices
Night train travel in Italy is very affordable compared to the rest of Europe. Even for the epic journey from Milan to Sicily, you can often get a compartment in a sleeping car for under €100. The easiest way to get a ticket is via the Trenitalia website. There you will find the cheapest tickets and all special offers. The connection search and booking are also available in German. Of course, we recommend you compare prices via nightride.com:
Compare all offers and prices here
A ticket for a sleeping or couchette car always includes a personal reservation. You will need a valid identification document for the journey. The ID number is noted when the ticket is purchased, and the corresponding ID must be presented along with the ticket during the evening check.
A little translation guide
When booking, even on the German or English version of the Trenitalia website, the different compartment types and comfort categories are designated in Italian. Here are the most important night train vocabulary and their meanings:
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Vagone letto Relax | Sleeping car |
| Vagone letto Relax – Uso singolo | Sleeping car, single compartment |
| Vagone letto Relax – Doppia | Sleeping car, double compartment |
| Vagone letto Relax – Tripla | Sleeping car, 3-berth compartment |
| Cabina Superior | Sleeping car with shower/WC |
| Cabina Superior – Uso singolo | Sleeping car with shower/WC, single compartment |
| Cabina Superior – Doppia | Sleeping car with shower/WC, double compartment |
| Cabina intera | Whole compartment (standard in sleeping car) |
| Cuccetta Comfort 4 posti | Couchette car 4-berth compartment |
| Cuccetta Comfort 4 posti – Promiscuo | Couchette car 4-berth compartment, mixed gender |
| Cuccetta Comfort 4 posti – Donna | Couchette car 4-berth compartment, women-only compartment |
| Cuccetta Comfort 4 posti – Uso esclusivo | Couchette car 4-berth compartment, private compartment |
| Posto a sedere Easy | Seating car |
Ticket types
Trenitalia generally offers three types of tickets, which differ in terms of flexibility, availability, and price:
- Base
Basic offer with the greatest flexibility. Tickets at the Base fare can be rebooked free of charge or returned for a fee. Comparable to the Flexpreis of Deutsche Bahn or the Standard-Ticket of ÖBB. - Economy
Limited offer at a saver price. The price varies depending on occupancy and booking time. The ticket is non-refundable but can be rebooked before departure. Available up to three days before departure. - Super Economy
The cheapest offer, the super saver price. Tickets cannot be changed or refunded. Available up to six days before departure.
Discounts
People under 30 ('Young') or over 60 ('Senior') travel at reduced prices, provided they participate in Trenitalia's loyalty program.
With the 'Family Night' offer, families of 3 to 5 people, including at least one adult and one child under 15, receive a 50% discount on the Base fare. Single compartments and Superior cabins are excluded. Further discounts are available for small groups ('Insieme') and couples ('Me&You').
Fares
The fare depends on the route, the desired comfort level (seating, couchette, or sleeping car), and the ticket type. The Economy and Super Economy offers are subject to quotas, meaning there is only a limited number per train. The earlier you book, the greater the chance of getting a saver ticket.
Due to dynamic pricing, it is impossible to make meaningful predictions about the ticket price here. You can always find current prices in our journey planner here on nightride.com.
Interrail
A journey on the Intercity Notte is also possible with Interrail. This applies to the Interrail Global Pass as well as the One Country Pass for Italy. However, you must make an additional reservation. The prices depend on the comfort category and are currently:
- Seating car:
Seat: €3 - Couchette car:
Berth in a 4-berth compartment: €41 - Sleeping car:
Triple compartment: €48
Double compartment: €58
Single compartment: €122
The reservation is available through the Interrail reservation service, at ticket counters, and from third-party providers like Rail Europe.
Conclusion
A summer retreat in Apulia, a weekend in Naples, or the grand journey to Sicily – with the night train, traveling to Italy's most beautiful holiday regions becomes a pleasure. The route network is dense, the prices are moderate, and the sleeping cars are comfortable. Whether you are traveling alone, with family, or as a group: a journey on the Intercity Notte can be incorporated into almost any trip to Italy.
And when you wake up to the sight of the sunrise over the sea, an espresso is served to your compartment, and endless olive groves pass by the window – then Dolce Vita begins long before you arrive.
Buon viaggio!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I book the night train?
The Intercity Notte are often opened for booking relatively late, especially after the timetable changes in June and December. If a connection does not yet appear, it usually does not mean that it has been canceled. Usually, the only solution is patience and checking regularly.
Do the Intercity Notte run all year round?
Yes, the night trains in Italy operate year-round. Seasonal cancellations are rare and usually due to construction work.
How secure are the compartments?
The compartments in the couchette and sleeping cars can be locked from the inside, but not independently from the outside. It is advisable to take valuables with you during short trips within the train. However, experience shows that thefts are extremely rare.
Can I take my bicycle on the Intercity Notte?
Only to a limited extent. Bicycles must be packed in a transport bag and must not exceed certain maximum dimensions. Often, they can only be taken in the seating car. Bicycle transport is usually easier on daytime trains.
How much luggage fits in a sleeping car compartment?
Space is limited. With large suitcases or bicycle bags, it can quickly become cramped, especially at full occupancy. Those traveling with a lot of luggage should book a private or larger compartment if possible.
Do children travel for free on the Intercity Notte?
Children under four generally travel for free in Italy, as long as they do not require their own berth or seat. For older children, there are often family discounts or cheap saver fares.
Can families or groups be accommodated together?
Yes. When booking in a couchette or sleeping car, Trenitalia usually places travelers from the same party in one compartment automatically. Some compartments in the sleeping car can be connected by an adjoining door, but these cannot always be explicitly selected online.
How does booking with Interrail work?
Reservations for Italian night trains cannot be made directly online via Trenitalia. Booking is possible through the Interrail reservation service, at a ticket counter, or via third-party providers. However, it is often cheaper anyway to travel with a regular saver ticket and save a travel day on your Interrail Pass.
Are there car trains in Italy?
No. The classic Italian car trains were discontinued a few years ago. Transporting cars and motorcycles has not been possible since then.
Can my dog travel on the Intercity Notte?
Yes. The prerequisite is usually a private compartment, and generally one dog is allowed per person. Small dogs travel for free in carriers; larger dogs require a ticket and a leash. The muzzle requirement is not strictly enforced, but you should always carry a muzzle with you.
About the authors: Sebastian Wilken is a passionate (night) train passenger and writes about train travel in Europe in his Zugpost. He monitors the night train market for Night Ride and provides you with the best tips and tricks for the most beautiful routes – including great pictures, all of which he takes himself.
Noam Schaulin has already traveled all over Europe by night train. As a member of the central board of Pro Bahn Switzerland, he advocates for public transport customers.
Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write to us at info@nightride.com.
