Travelling between Rome and Naples by train is one of those travel decisions that just makes sense the moment you think it through. The high-speed rail takes around an hour and ten minutes, runs constantly throughout the day, and connects two of the most compelling cities in southern Europe without any of the airport hassle. One train, two completely different personalities, and a journey that's genuinely enjoyable rather than something to endure.

If you’ve got a bit more time you can see Italy's four great cities on a single rail journey! Rome, Naples, Florence and Venice are each extraordinary on their own. Strung together by one of Europe's best high-speed rail networks, with no airports between them and no rental cars required; they become something close to the ideal European holiday.

Our Rome and Naples by train vacations include your return flights from Canada, accommodation in each city, and all intercity rail journeys. Some itineraries include guided elements, while others are entirely self-guided with everything pre-booked and waiting for you.

Departure Airports 

Most of our Rome and Naples by train vacations are priced from Toronto and Montreal. If you're departing from another Canadian city, give us a call at 1-800-665-4981 and our agents can find the best routing and pricing for you.

Where you’ll stay

Rome: Give Rome enough time. The Vatican deserves a half-day at minimum, the Colosseum and Roman Forum another. But leave room for just walking: across the Tiber into Trastevere in the evenings, through the Campo de' Fiori market in the mornings. The city reveals itself slowly, and that's part of the experience.

Naples is a short high-speed train ride south and feels like a completely different country. This is where you eat: pizza from Sorbillo or Di Matteo, fried street food from the Spanish Quarter, espresso standing at a bar for about a euro. Pompeii is an hour away and is genuinely one of the most remarkable places you can visit anywhere in the world. Budget at least a half day and go early.

Florence sits between Rome and Venice geographically, and in many ways culturally too — it's the Renaissance distilled into a walkable city. The Uffizi Gallery houses one of the greatest art collections on earth, and the Duomo is the kind of building that stops you mid-sentence when you first see it. What surprises a lot of visitors is how enjoyable Florence is just to be in: the Oltrarno neighbourhood across the river, the Boboli Gardens, the view from Piazzale Michelangelo at golden hour. Book the Uffizi and the Accademia (Michelangelo's David) in advance — the queues without reservations are long and avoidable.

Venice is unlike anywhere else, there are no cars, no bikes, no roads — just canals, bridges and pedestrian lanes. The light on the water in the early morning and evening is extraordinary. The crowds in the middle of the day on the main routes can be intense, which is why the practical advice is simple: get up early, stay late, and walk away from the main tourist corridors into the quieter sestieri. 

When to Go

• Spring, from March through May, is the best window for this itinerary. The weather across northern and central Italy is warm and pleasant, the cities are lively but not crushed, and you can move between them comfortably. Early May in Florence and Venice in particular is close to ideal.
• Summer, from June through August, is peak season in every meaningful sense. Venice in July is extremely crowded; Florence in August is hot. That said, Italy in summer has a certain magic — the long evenings, the outdoor restaurants, the general energy — and millions of people enjoy it. Just book everything well ahead and set your expectations accordingly.
• Autumn, from September through October, is wonderful throughout this route. Crowds thin, temperatures stay pleasant well into October, and there's a shift in the quality of the light that photographers notice immediately. September is often the best month to visit Venice.
• Winter, from November through February, is cold in Florence and Venice but perfectly manageable, and both cities are dramatically quieter. Rome and Naples stay relatively mild.

Not sure which itinerary is right for you?

Our agents know Italy well and can help you figure out the pace that works for you. Give us a call at 1-800-665-4981 and let's work it out together.