Question 1

What is it like to travel by train in each region of Italy?

Accepted Answer

There are 20 regions in Italy, including two islands, and every single one is served by Italian trains. The degree of service in each region, however, differs quite a bit.Travel by train in Tuscany, Lazio, Lombardy, Veneto, Piedmont, and other heavily-touristed and more densely populated regions is easy. Cities of all sizes and many small towns have train stations, and the popular routes between regions have frequent train service. High-speed trains cover most of the major cities in these regions.In the less-traveled regions—particularly in the southern part of Italy—train travel is still available though a bit less robust. There are high-speed train lines in some of the southern regions of Italy now, including Puglia and Calabria, but service is less frequent than in the north. Many of the smaller towns in the south or the mountainous north do not have train stations or, if they are on the train line, frequent service.The islands of Sicily and Sardinia are two of the regions in Italy where it's most challenging to get around by train. Visitors in those regions, and in much of the south, are often better served with a rental car.

Question 2

When is the best time to travel to Italy?

Accepted Answer

What's best in this case varies significantly depending on several factors - including your itinerary, budget, and travel style. Here are some things to consider when determining what's ideal for your trip.WeatherItalian summers can be extremely hot, while winters are typically cold and wet. The heat can start as early as late April in some places, so don't count on spring being mild. November is almost universally the wettest month.If your travel dreams include beaches, hiking, or other outdoor recreation that relies on sun, the summer months are likely your best bet for ideal weather - keeping in mind that strenuous activities should be done early in the day before the heat gets too bad.If your travel dreams include skiing and hot spiced wine, the winter months are your best bet.If you don't mind the potential for rain, spring can be an excellent option.BudgetSummer is Italy's high season, when prices are usually at their highest, but the high season these days begins as early as April and runs through early October.On the other hand, in areas where snow sports are big business, the winter months are the high season.For most itineraries, the late fall through late winter are generally the most budget-friendly (excluding major holidays such as Christmas and Carnevale).CrowdsThere are few times in Italy's most popular cities that are truly crowd-free. High seasons draw huge crowds, from summer travelers to people visiting for brief holidays.It can be a good idea to consult a calendar of Italian holidays while planning your trip so you know if your travels overlap with any big local celebrations (which can cause not only larger-than-expected crowds but also extremely full trains).

Question 3

What should I know about traveling in Italy by train with kids?

Accepted Answer

Bringing the kids along on a trip through Italy is both an exciting and rewarding adventure and, at times, challenging. We have covered some of the things that help make traveling with children by train in Europe easier in another article. Here, we want to make sure you know all about the various train ticket and rail pass options for your kids when you take the train around Italy. Train Tickets for Children in ItalyChildren under age four travel for free on Trenitalia trains in Italy. They do not get their own seat, however, when traveling for free. This can be a problem if it's a train that requires reservations and all the other seats are taken, leaving you with a child in your lap for the whole trip. Children ages 4-11 travel at a sometimes-discounted child fare on most trains in Italy (including Thello). Check the adult fare for the trip, as they are occasionally less expensive than the dedicated child fare. On high-speed Frecce, InterCity, and ICN trains, children ages 4-14 are eligible for the sometimes-discounted child fare. On Italo trains, children under age two travel for free, and children ages 2-16 are eligible for a child rate. Seat, couchette, and other reservations must be made even for a child traveling for free, and these still require reservation fees. Rail Passes for Children in ItalyThere are rail passes for children ages 4-11, which are free of charge with the purchase of an adult rail pass. Each adult pass can have up to two children added for free, though each child must have his or her own pass. Children under age four do not need a rail pass, but if you want to be sure of a seat you'll need to reserve one for the child as well as yourself.

Travel distance	94 miles
Fastest time	1h 22m
Daily trains	35
Ticket from	13

Bari Lecce

Train from Bari to Lecce

Train from Bari to Lecce

Amenities on the trains between Bari and Lecce

Bari Bari to LecceTrain from Bari to Lecce Lecce

Train from Bari to Lecce

Train from Bari to Lecce

Amenities on the trains between Bari and Lecce

Bari Lecce