How to Get Around Italy: Best Transportation for Travelers

When traveling with Zicasso, you can move around easily with the help and guidance of a local expert who will consider your logistics and preferences. They can use their knowledge of Italy and understanding of your dream vacation to plan the best transportation to achieve your goals.

Your Italy travel specialist also handles the booking of all your transfers, giving you one less logistical aspect to worry about. They aim to ensure you enjoy the best of Italy efficiently and comfortably, using their insight to arrange the right logistics for your custom trip.

Italy has many airports that accommodate domestic flights, which makes it easier for you to travel long distances over land and sea, rather than taking the train or a car. With airports in major cities, on several islands, and in various more remote destinations, travelers can access more of Italy in a shorter amount of time by plane.

Perfect for longer trips that combine multiple destinations, such as Milan, Florence, and Rome Itineraries, planes let travelers see as much of Italy as possible regardless of the duration of their itinerary. You can also experience the best of the Italian capital and the island of Sicily on Rome and Sicily Itineraries efficiently by plane.

Best for: Trips that combine multiple destinations in a short amount of time or tours from Rome to the Italian islands.

Trains are another fantastic option for traveling long distances in Italy, as you can enjoy the countryside while transferring between major cities.

The popularity of trains is not limited to tourists, with locals also enjoying their comfort, ease, and speed. It’s not uncommon for Italians to ride the trains daily from the countryside or distant urban neighborhoods into larger cities like Rome or Milan.

High-speed trains are also a great alternative to driving, with speeds reaching over 220 miles an hour. Not all trains will travel as rapidly as these, but regional and interregional trains are great for reaching towns and the seaside on Rome to Amalfi Coast Tours & Vacations or Milan and Lake Como Itineraries.

Best for: Traveling long distances between Italy's best places with panoramic countryside views.

A private driver in Italy allows you to experience, explore, and discover the layers of a city, countryside, or coastline at your preferred pace.

You can indulge in the views and relax as a transportation specialist, who understands the driving culture of the nation and specific region navigates the roads for you. The most typical way to experience a private driver is when transferring to and from airports, train stations, or accommodations and activities.

High-speed trains are much faster than cars when traveling long distances, but a private driver is great during a local tour on Rome Tours & Vacations or when visiting towns and villages on Tuscany Tours & Vacations.

Best for: Exploring the cities at your leisure or enjoying guided trips through countryside destinations like Tuscany.

Italy has an extensive system of state-funded highways that crisscrosses the nation, making it great for renting cars for a road trip.

Different cities have unique roads that reflect modern engineering and ancient grids. Driving in the cities can be hectic, with places like Naples and Palermo being notorious for the chaotic ballet that local drivers understand and their visiting counterparts do not.

That said, typical country roads made of gravel or dirt can take you off the beaten path from popular tourist villages or larger rural towns, but the winding rural roads most often connect to the motorways, providing drivers with easy access to the beauty of the countryside.

Best for: Italian road trips at your pace or exploring the hidden gems from Tuscany to the Amalfi Coast.

The best reason for traveling by bus in Italy is to reach towns and villages away from the tourist centers. Busses are less convenient than traveling by train in Italy and offer fewer luxuries than other modes of transport. However, they are an option for travelers.

While the country has its own national train company, the bus networks are owned by individual companies, which affects their times, routes, and consistency. An even smaller number of bus companies travel across regional boundaries, such as from Rome to Venice, a route that will generally require a transfer.

While certain routes may be difficult to find, buses generally have great quality, with comfortable seats, air conditioning, and wifi access should you wish to book one on Northern Italy Tours or Southern Italy Tours & Vacations.

Best for: Medium-distance travel between neighboring towns or cities for travelers not booking a private transfer.

Italy is surrounded on three sides by the Tyrrhenian, Ionian, and Adriatic seas, making boats and ferries a historical necessity for travel.

Boats are not necessarily the most efficient way to travel around Italy, but do provide unique experiences, stunning views, and access to islands such as Sardinia, the Aeolian Islands, and Elba. A ferry is the only alternative to flying when trying to reach Sicily on Southern Italy & Sicily Tours.

The boats and ferries in Italy are not relegated to the coastline. They can also help you travel across the waters of famous, historic lakes, such as cruises on Lake Como Vacations.

Best for: Cruising around the Italian islands or exploring the breathtaking countryside lakes.

Taxis and local buses are the best alternatives to walking or taking the metro when visiting large Italian cities.

Rome’s metro is small and focuses mainly on the historic city center. Milan’s metro line mainly serves the historic center, but also offers a suburban railway connecting to the greater metropolitan area.

During your travels through Italy, taxis are the fastest and easiest way to get around any city, providing a great way to get your bearings.

Best for: Travelers skipping a walking tour in favor of a faster way to see the city highlights.

There are limitations to Italy’s ridesharing app capabilities, with only Rome and Milan having availability for platforms like Uber. There is strong resistance to ridesharing apps from local Italian taxi services and we do not recommend relying on them during your trip.

They are not widely available or accessible, and although you may be able to hail a ride in some instances, having a private transfer is far more reliable.

Best for: Travelers who need a ride in a pinch in areas where ridesharing services are available.

A Zicasso travel specialist arranges your transportation logistics so you can focus on delving into the culture and exploring Italy in style. Getting around the country and visiting the best sights seamlessly with the best transportation allows you more time to enjoy the country on Italy Tours & Vacations.

For an expansive look into more information and tips to help you plan your custom trip, browse our Italy Travel Guide.