- Jana Mascioni
8 Italian Railroad Itineraries
Discover Italy by Train with these Italian Rail Tours
Are you a first-time traveler to Italy who is intimidated by organizing train tickets, accommodations, and tours? Or have you been to Italy before and just want someone else to do the planning for you but don’t want to pay a fee? The newly announced Escorted and Individual rail package tours by ItaliaRail may be your answer.
Before selling you on this idea, I first have to give you my advice on train travel with kids. I recommend waiting for train travel for when kids can carry their own luggage unless you are great at minimalist packing. I expand more on this in my article Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Trip to Italy with a Baby or Toddler. These itineraries also involve moving from hotel to hotel a few times, which I don't recommend for babies and toddlers. Some include group tours that little ones don't always enjoy and may not be appropriate for their age, but you know your child’s temperament best. If you do want to consider taking a child aged 2 and under they travel free.
These 8 different rail packages offered by ItaliaRail offer two types of Tours, 4 Escorted and 4 Independent. The Escorted Tours offer access to an English-speaking tour director, and your luggage will be transferred from hotel to hotel for you. The more economical option of the Independent Tours are more flexible and a great option if you can handle your luggage from the train stations to the hotels. the Independent Tours utilize the YourItalianFriend® messaging service provided through WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger that acts as your virtual travel assistant while you are in Italy. I love all these tour options because they are not jam-packed, minute to minute with scheduled activities, and allow time to explore on your own.
Read below for:
Descriptions of each tour.
What I like about each tour.
My suggested add-on itineraries.
My suggested recommended age range.
This is NOT a paid advertisement, and all the opinions are my own. If you appreciate the advice I give, and if you do purchase a package or tickets through ItaliaRail. Please click through these links and I will receive a small commission to keep Piccolo Italiano going! Thank you!
“See Italy the way it was intended by taking a fully guided tour while traveling by rail. Your tour will start in Venice. From there, you will visit Florence, Tuscany, Rome, Pompeii and Sorrento with Amalfi. You will be traveling to each destination by train. Each of your train tickets will be first-class and includes a luggage delivery service that will bring your suitcase(s) to and from each hotel. Each night you will be staying in a 4-star hotel in the city center.
Your package will include hand-selected activities and dining experiences highlighting the best that Italy has to offer. You will also have free time to explore each destination and the option to add additional activities to your schedule.” - ItaliaRail
What I Love
I love this package because it covers a whole 2-week itinerary in Italy starting in Venice and ending in Rome. It also visits Frascati, one of my favorite towns to visit just outside of Rome with a beautiful view of the Eternal city. This package gives the freedom for time to explore on your own as well as guided tours to help acclimate you to the cities and show you some not to be missed authentic experiences.
Age Recommendation
I recommend for families with older school-aged kids and teens. This package offers 1st class seating in high-speed trains. Kids should be able to quietly entertain themselves and not be a distraction to the other passengers who have paid a premium to relax on the train.
Many of the dinners and lunches offer wine. This is not an issue; your children, of course, do not have to drink wine, and Italians are not uptight about children being around wine.
“Enjoy 11 days traveling across Italy by train with an English and French speaking tour guide. You will visit Venice, Florence, Tuscany, Rome, Pompei, and the Sorrentine coast. Each train trip will be via first-class and include a hotel-to-hotel luggage service. Each package includes guided tours and accommodations at a 4* hotel with a continental buffet breakfast.
Your package will include guided tours as well as free time where you can explore each city on your own. During free time you will have the option of scheduling additional tours and attractions. “ - ItaliaRail
What I Love
This package is similar to the 11 Night Escorted Rail Tour from Venice to Sorrento but ends in Sorrento instead of Rome. This would be ideal if you were wanting to stay a few more nights on your own on the Amalfi Coast.
Age Recommendation
I recommend for families with older school-aged kids and teens. This package offers 1st class seating in high-speed trains. Kids should be able to quietly entertain themselves and not be a distraction to the other passengers who have paid a premium to relax on the train.
Many of the dinners and lunches offer wine. This is not an issue; your children, of course, do not have to drink wine, and Italians are not uptight about children being around wine.
“Enjoy 8 days traveling first class via train across Italy. Your package vacation will include visits to Venice, Florence, Tuscany, and Rome. This package also includes a hotel-to-hotel luggage service and city center accommodations at 4* hotels with breakfast. Your package will include tours, dining and cultural experiences highlighting the best of Italy.” - ItaliaRail
What I Love
I love this week-long package. I believe after your week of scheduled traveling, you will have a good understanding and have built your confidence in how to get around Italy. If you wanted to take a two-week vacation in Italy after the tour ends, you could then spend more time there discovering Rome. Taking day trips on your own, or rent a car and stay at a nearby agriturismo. There is so much to explore just an hour or so from Rome; you could never get bored or even see it all.
Age Recommendation
I recommend for families with older school-aged kids and teens. This package offers 1st class seating in high-speed trains. Kids should be able to quietly entertain themselves and not be a distraction to the other passengers who have paid a premium to relax on the train.
Many of the dinners and lunches offer wine. This is not an issue; your children, of course, do not have to drink wine, and Italians are not uptight about children being around wine.
“Discover the beauty of Italy while traveling by train by purchasing this 7-day Italian vacation package. Your package holiday will include stops in Venice, Florence, Tuscany, and Rome. When traveling from destination to destination we will provide a luggage service so you don’t have to worry about bringing your suitcases to and from the hotels. Each night you will stay at a 4-star hotel in the city center.
Your package will include tours, dining and cultural experiences highlighting some of the best Italy has to offer. Along with escorted tours, you will have free time to explore each location on your own. You also have the option of purchasing additional tours.” -ItaliaRail
What I Love
Just as with the 7-day package, I also love this 6-day long package with a similar itinerary. I believe after your week of scheduled traveling, you will have a good understanding and have built your confidence in how to get around Italy. If you wanted to take a two-week vacation in Italy after the tour ends you could then spend more time there discovering Rome. Taking day trips on your own or rent a car and stay at a nearby agritourism. There is so much to explore just an hour or so from Rome; you could never get bored or even see it all.
Age Recommendation
I recommend for families with older school-aged kids and teens. This package offers 1st class seating in high-speed trains. Kids should be able to quietly entertain themselves and not be a distraction to the other passengers who have paid a premium to relax on the train.
Many of the dinners and lunches offer wine. This is not an issue; your children, of course, do not have to drink wine, and Italians are not uptight about children being around wine.
“Spend 10 days traveling around Italy hassle-free by booking this package! We have organized everything for you. By purchasing this package we will take care of train tickets, accommodations and organize tours to top destinations. You will visit Venice, Florence, Rome, and the Sorrento coast. You will also have access to YourItalianFriend® a messaging service provided through WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger that acts as your virtual travel assistant while you are in Italy.” -ItaliaRail
What I Love
I love this tour because you are not escorted as a group, giving you more flexibility, especially with kids. There are group led activities and excursions to join. You have multiple options each day to choose from, like a Pizza & Tiramisu cooking class, a Twilight city stroll with Gelato, or Bike Tour!
Age Recommendation
I recommend for families with children old enough to carry their own luggage. Many of the guided tours to choose from would appeal to kids and teens of all ages!
"Spend 7 days traveling around Italy hassle-free by booking this package! We have organized everything for you. By purchasing this package we will take care of train tickets, accommodations and organize tours to top destinations. You will visit Venice, Florence, and Rome. You will also have access to YourItalianFriend® a messaging service provided through WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger that acts as your virtual travel assistant while you are in Italy.” - ItaliaRail
What I Love
I love this tour because you are not escorted as a group giving you more flexibility, especially with kids. There are group led activities and excursions to join. You have multiple options each day to choose from, like a Pizza & Tiramisu cooking class, a Twilight city stroll with Gelato, or Bike Tour!
Suggested Add-On Itinerary
I believe after your week of scheduled traveling, you will have a good understanding and built your confidence in how to get around Italy. If you wanted to take a two-week vacation in Italy after the tour ends in Venice. You could then spend more time exploring placed like Verona, Lake Como, Lake Garda, or Milan. If you are traveling in the heat of summer, these northern Italian locations are an ideal place to spend your time where it is cooler.
Age Recommendation
I recommend for families with children old enough to carry their own luggage. Many of the guided tours to choose from would appeal to kids and teens of all ages!
“Spend 7 days traveling around Italy hassle-free by booking this package! We have organized everything for you. By purchasing this package we will take care of train tickets, accommodations and organize tours to top destinations. You will visit Rome, Florence, and Venice. You will also have access to YourItalianFriend® a messaging service provided through WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger that acts as your virtual travel assistant while you are in Italy.” -ItaliaRail
What I Love
More economical than the previous 6 Night Independent Rail Tour from Rome to Venice with 4-start hotels because you will be staying in 3-star hotels.
I love this tour because you are not escorted as a group giving you more flexibility, especially with kids. There are group led activities and excursions to join. You have multiple options each day to choose from, like a Pizza & Tiramisu cooking class, a Twilight city stroll with Gelato, or Bike Tour!
Suggested Add-On Itinerary
I believe after your week of scheduled traveling, you will have a good understanding and built your confidence in how to get around Italy. If you wanted to take a two-week vacation in Italy after the tour ends in Venice. You could then spend more time exploring placed like Verona, Lake Como, Lake Garda, or Milan. If you are traveling in the heat of summer, these northern Italian locations are an ideal place to spend your time where it is cooler.
Age Recommendation
I recommend for families with children old enough to carry their own luggage. Many of the guided tours to choose from would appeal to kids and teens of all ages!
“Spend 7 days traveling around Italy hassle-free by booking this package! We have organized everything for you. By purchasing this package we will take care of train tickets, accommodations and organize tours to top destinations. You will visit Rome, Florence, and Cinque Terre. You will also have access to YourItalianFriend® a messaging service provided through WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger that acts as your virtual travel assistant while you are in Italy.” – ItaliaRail
What I Love
Another economical choice with 3-star hotel options. This is also the most flexible option with only one scheduled group tour in Florence. You also receive access to the kid-friendly Hop-On Hop-Off pass in Rome and access to an unlimited number of trips by rail to fully enjoy the Cinque Terre.
Suggested Add-On Itinerary
I believe after your week of scheduled traveling, you will have a good understanding and built your confidence in how to get around Italy. If you wanted to take a two-week vacation in Italy after the tour ends in Cinque Terre. You could then spend more time exploring placed like Genoa, Lake Como, or Milan. It would also be an excellent opportunity to rent a car and head back South to explore Tuscany.
Age Recommendation
I recommend for families with children old enough to carry their own luggage. Many of the guided tours to choose from would appeal to kids and teens of all ages!
Traveling Italy by train with kids is a great way to avoid the frenzy and stress of the airports. It allows the whole family to relax and enjoy the scenery along the way. In March, I will be posting an article all about how to travel by train with kids plus tips, so sign up for my mailing list here to not miss it and also receive my free travel planner. Here is what else you will receive:
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Carry-on Checklist by Age
Packing Checklist by Age
Discount Codes for Tours, Rentals, Babysitters & More!
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