Intercity Notte: Italy by night train
Whether in Milan, Turin, or Rome – every evening, night trains set off from Italy's major cities to travel across the country. They'll take you to the most beautiful corners of Italy: from the very tip of Sicily to Trieste on the Slovenian border, and from Piedmont in the northwest to Lecce in the southeast.
Italy is a hidden gem for night train travel. Almost unnoticed, a dense network of connections has survived here, still playing 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'll introduce you to the Italian night train network: What routes are there? What's the comfort like on board? And where can you find the cheapest tickets? We'll answer these questions and many more about the Intercity Notte right here.
Please note: This article only covers Trenitalia's domestic Italian night trains. There are also international night trains to Italy, like the ÖBB Nightjet, which can take you directly from Germany and Austria to Rome or Venice. You can find out more about that here.
Table of Contents
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 main night train hubs in northern Italy are Milan and Turin. Several services to the south start from here, including to Lecce, Salerno, Reggio Calabria, and to Syracuse and Palermo in Sicily. Other night trains run from Rome: besides southern destinations, you can also reach Bolzano in South Tyrol and Trieste on the Slovenian border. Apart from two weekend services 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
Destinations: Taormina, Syracuse, Palermo
Sicily is the southernmost and most spectacular destination for Italian night trains. A total of six services run directly from northern Italy and Rome to the largest island in the Mediterranean. The roughly 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, and then comes the big highlight: 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, get some fresh sea air – and grab your first arancini at the café. It's an experience you'll only find one other place in Europe!
In Messina, the train is then split into two parts. One section continues via Taormina to ancient Syracuse (Siracusa in Italian), 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 Puglia
Destinations: Bari, Brindisi, Taranto, Lecce
Puglia, the region at the heel of the Italian boot, has a lot to offer. Sun and sea are guaranteed, and countless ruins tell tales of past civilisations. The long sandy and rocky beaches, the sea caves, and the delicious food have also been attracting holidaymakers to the Adriatic for generations. From Bari and Brindisi, ferries also run to Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, and Greece.
The night trains to Puglia 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, this is of limited use – the journey from Rome to Lecce takes only five and a half hours during the day and is really 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
Destinations: Naples, Salerno
The Amalfi Coast with its fishing villages by the deep blue sea. The islands of Ischia and Capri. The sunken city of Pompeii. And of course, the famous Neapolitan pizza. Hardly any other region in Italy combines as many highlights as Campania, around the Gulf of Naples. So it's no wonder that several night trains stop here too.
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 travels via Genoa along the Ligurian coast, the other runs via Milan. There, you can find connections 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
Destinations: Villa San Giovanni, Reggio Calabria
In the far southwest, at the tip of the Italian boot, lies Calabria. Ancient forests criss-cross the region, providing pleasant shade in the hot summer. Calabria also has a lot to offer culinarily – besides the bergamot, the region's "green gold", the fiery peperoncini are a must-try 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
Destinations: Venice, Trieste, Bolzano, Innichen
While most Italian night trains head to the holiday regions in the south, there are also services from Rome to northeastern 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's only a short walk across the border to Nova Gorica in Slovenia.
Additionally, a night train runs from Rome to Bolzano (Bolzano in Italian) 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 Innichen (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)
Onboard Comfort
All Intercity Notte services include sleeping cars and couchette cars. With the exception of the services to Sicily, seating cars are also on board. Seat reservations are mandatory in all travel classes. The carriages 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. The lighting and temperature can be controlled by a switch. Luggage space isn't huge, but it's enough for a backpack or suitcase. Washrooms and toilets are at the end of the car; there are no showers in the standard sleeping car.
When you enter the compartment, you'll find the beds freshly made and sealed in plastic. Each passenger receives a small bag with toiletries and slippers, as well as water and a little something to nibble on.
A word on security: The compartments can be locked from the inside. This is highly recommended, as thefts are still occasionally reported.
‘Superior’ sleeping car
On some services, sleeping cars with enhanced comfort are also available. These are called 'Superior'. The compartments have a private bathroom with a shower and WC, as well as a table. They can be booked for single or double occupancy. Unfortunately, there have been several reports in the past that the shower didn't 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, you will usually share the compartment with strangers. As a family, it's possible to reserve a private compartment. Women can also book a berth in a women-only compartment. It can sometimes be a bit restless in the couchette car, as people get on and off during the night.
The simple couchettes are less comfortable, but at 190 cm, they are about 10 cm longer than the beds in the sleeping car. During the day, the couchettes can be converted into seats with fold-out tables. Here too, you'll find the ladder for the upper berths stowed under the lower couchette. Each couchette 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 labelled 'Easy'. Most services have open-plan carriages. Here, most seats are arranged in groups of four, and the lights may stay on all night. Sometimes there are also carriages with compartments of six seats each. Here, you can adjust the light, speakers, and heating yourself, and there's 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 restaurant car. In the sleeping car, a small breakfast is served to your compartment in the morning. It usually consists of an espresso, a simple pastry, and fruit juice. Daily newspapers are also available in the corridor. Your order for hot drinks in the morning is usually taken in the evening, at which point your ticket is also 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 amenities
- Accessibility
The carriages currently used on the Intercity Notte are not accessible and do not have wheelchair compartments. At larger stations, assistance for passengers with reduced mobility is available through the ‘Sala Blu’ service. This must be requested at least 24 hours in advance, and unfortunately, it is not currently possible to book a wheelchair space on Intercity Notte trains. - 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 lead and wear a muzzle. They are only allowed in couchette and sleeping cars if you book 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 snag a compartment in a sleeping car for under €100. The easiest way to get a ticket is on the Trenitalia website. There you'll find the cheapest tickets and all the special offers. The connection search and booking process are also available in English. 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.
How to book?
The booking process on the Trenitalia website can seem a bit overwhelming, especially due to the frequent use of Italian or English terms (see next section). But it works and is 100% secure. Important: The Night Ride logo is proudly displayed at the top of the page. However, the sale is handled entirely and exclusively by Trenitalia. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Select route
If you are redirected from nightride.com, the departure and destination stations, as well as the date and departure time, are already pre-selected. You can then set the number of passengers (and their ages) and activate the 'WITHOUT CHANGES' switch under 'other search options'.
In the next window, you will almost certainly see just the one night train connection on the correct date. There might be other direct connections that run during the day (Frecciarossa, etc.). You can recognise the night trains by the blue Intercity Notte logo.
Then click on the connection.
- Select comfort class
In the following window ('Travel solution'), you first need to select the carriage type at the top (it's a bit inconspicuous) using the tabs, e.g., 'Comfort' for couchette cars or 'Relax' for sleeping cars. Below that, you can then select the cabin category (e.g., 'Cuccetta 4 posti - promiscuo' for a mixed-gender 4-berth couchette). See our translation guide in the next section for more details.
- Choose ticket type
Right below that, you choose the ticket type, e.g., 'BASE' for the flexible option. For each category, you can also select your preferred bed position, if desired. By the way, at the bottom there is a button 'SHOW OTHER OFFERS' – this just leads to a different view where you can combine comfort and ticket types as you wish. You will not find any additional offers there!
- Book
After clicking 'Continue' or 'Purchase', you'll get to the final step, the actual booking. You can log in or complete the booking as a guest. Either way, you'll need to provide your details and your ID number. You can then pay with all major credit cards / PayPal. You will then receive the ticket electronically via email and for your Google or Apple Wallet.
Note: On desktop devices, the view looks slightly different (it has a matrix of options). However, the functionality is the same.
Quick translation guide
During booking, even on the English or German version of the Trenitalia website, the different compartment types and cabin categories are named in Italian. Here are the most important night train vocabulary words 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, 4-berth compartment |
| Cuccetta Comfort 4 posti – Promiscuo | Couchette, 4-berth compartment, mixed-gender |
| Cuccetta Comfort 4 posti – Donna | Couchette, 4-berth compartment, women-only |
| Cuccetta Comfort 4 posti – Uso esclusivo | Couchette, 4-berth compartment, private use |
| 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
The standard offer with the greatest flexibility. Tickets at the Base fare can be rebooked free of charge or refunded for a fee. Comparable to Deutsche Bahn's Flexpreis or ÖBB's Standard-Ticket. - Economy
A limited offer at a reduced 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 fare. 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 service level (seats, 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 available per train. The earlier you book, the greater your chance of getting a ticket at a reduced price.
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
Reservations can be made through the Interrail reservation service, at ticket counters, and via third-party providers like Rail Europe.
Conclusion
A summer retreat in Puglia, a weekend in Naples, or the grand journey all the way to Sicily – the night train makes travelling to Italy's most beautiful holiday regions a pleasure. The route network is dense, the prices are moderate, and the sleeping cars are comfortable. Whether you're travelling alone, with family, or as a group, a trip on the Intercity Notte can be incorporated into almost any Italian holiday.
And when you wake up to the sight of the sunrise over the sea, with an espresso served to your compartment and endless olive groves passing by your window – then la dolce vita begins long before you arrive.
Buon viaggio!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I book the night train?
The Intercity Notte trains are often released for booking relatively late, especially after the timetable changes in June and December. If a connection doesn't appear yet, it usually doesn't mean it has been cancelled. Mostly, all you can do is be patient and check back regularly.
Do the Intercity Notte trains 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 when moving about the train. However, experience shows that theft is extremely rare.
Can I take my bicycle on the Intercity Notte?
Only with restrictions. 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. Transporting bicycles is usually easier on daytime trains.
How much luggage fits in a sleeper cabin?
Space is limited. It can get cramped quickly with large suitcases or panniers, especially at full occupancy. If you are travelling with a lot of luggage, you should try to book a private or larger compartment.
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 bed 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 travellers 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 to travel with a regular saver fare 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. It has not been possible to transport cars and motorcycles since then.
Can my dog travel on the Intercity Notte?
Yes. The requirement is usually a private compartment, and generally one dog is allowed per person. Small dogs travel for free in carriers, while larger dogs require a ticket and a lead. The muzzle requirement is not consistently enforced, but you should always carry a muzzle with you.
About the authors: Sebastian Wilken is a passionate (night) train traveller 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 stunning photos that he takes himself.
Noam Schaulin has already travelled all over Europe by night train. As a member of the central board of Pro Bahn Schweiz, he advocates for public transport customers.
Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write to us at info@nightride.com.