Trains in Italy? That's Trenitalia!

Italy is stepping up its push on rail. Trenitalia has just announced a major order of 74 new Frecciarossa trains, for an investment of around €2 billion by 2030. These new trainsets will reinforce an earlier order placed in 2023 for 36 additional trains (€1.3 billion). In total, more than a hundred new-generation trains will modernise and extend the Italian high-speed fleet. 🚅 Frecciarossa, the backbone of European ambitions Designed by Hitachi Rail and built in Italy (notably in Pistoia and Naples), the Frecciarossa 1000 trains are already well known to French travellers: they run between Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Milan. But the ambition goes much further. These trains are interoperable across several European networks: France, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Belgium. 👉 Stated goal: develop a connected, accessible and sustainable pan-European rail network. A new Milan – Munich link is notably planned by 2026, proof of this continental expansion strategy. 🌍 Towards a European high-speed network The FS Group (Trenitalia's parent company) is clear about its vision: Build a modern, competitive, passenger-focused European high-speed network. Trenitalia has already made its mark by becoming the first foreign operator to enter the French market with the Paris–Lyon and then Paris–Marseille routes. High speed is thus becoming a field of competition… but also of cooperation at European level. 🇫🇷 And in France? The momentum is similar on the French side. SNCF Voyageurs has confirmed the order of 160 TGV M trains from Alstom, including 15 additional trainsets recently approved. These new trains, more modular and more connected, are meant to support an ambitious strategy: 👉 double the number of European passengers in under 10 years. The first TGV M trainsets are expected to enter commercial service in France during 2024, with rollouts continuing until 2029. 🚆 What this means for travellers More frequencies on the major European routes More modern, comfortable and accessible trains Better connections between countries An ever more credible alternative to flying European high speed is entering a new phase of expansion. And travellers are the first to benefit.

Good news: Trenitalia offers several discounts depending on the traveler's age and group type.

Children's fares

• 0 to 4 years: travels free if the child sits on an adult's lap (no assigned seat).
• 0 to 4 years with reserved seat: 50% discount on the adult fare.
• 4 to 14 years inclusive: 50% discount on Base or Serenità fares (e.g. Paris–Lyon from €11.50 in Standard, subject to availability).

These discounts apply on Frecciarossa and international routes operated by Trenitalia, as well as on many routes within Italy.

Youth and senior discounts

• Young (12–27 years): up to -30% with the free CartaFRECCIA card.
• Senior (60 years and over): up to -30% also via CartaFRECCIA.

CartaFRECCIA is free and also lets you earn loyalty points.

Group offers

• Gruppo offer: from €35 per person for groups of at least 10 travelers, on the same train and in the same class.

Tickets are personal and must be selected when booking on the Trenitalia website or app.

In short: the more you plan ahead and adapt the fare to your profile (child, young person, senior or group), the more you optimize your ticket price.

Like all European rail companies, Trenitalia applies the EU regulation on passenger rights: in case of a significant arrival delay, you are entitled to compensation, generally 25% of the ticket price from one hour of delay and 50% beyond two hours.

If your train is cancelled, you can choose between a full refund or rerouting on another train. The request can be made online, in the Trenitalia app or at the ticket counter, ticket in hand.

Remember to keep your ticket and note the train number: these are the two essential elements for any claim.

To buy your Trenitalia ticket, several options are available to you, both online and at the station.

Physical ticket offices in France

• Paris Gare de Lyon: Hall 1 (near platform N / Gamma entrance). Open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 7:30pm (closed Sundays and public holidays).
• Lyon Part-Dieu: 1st floor, Galerie Béraudier. Open Monday to Friday from 7am to 7:30pm (closed weekends and public holidays).

Payment can be made in cash or by card, with no extra fees.

Self-service kiosks

Trenitalia kiosks are also available at certain served stations, including:

• Paris Gare de Lyon
• Lyon Part-Dieu and Lyon Perrache
• Chambéry Challes-les-Eaux

Online and phone purchase

The simplest solution remains buying online via trenitalia.com or the official Trenitalia app, available for booking your journeys in France and Italy.

A phone service is also available at 09 74 91 98 72 (local call rate, during ticket office hours).

Finally, Trenitalia tickets are also available through partner agencies and online platforms, making it easy to compare and book your journeys.

Planning your trip with Trenitalia and wondering how much luggage you can bring?

Good news: the company applies a flexible policy. There's no strict weight limit, and your luggage travels free of charge, as long as you can carry it yourself and store it in the designated spaces (overhead racks or dedicated areas).

In practice, it's recommended to travel with a maximum of 2 suitcases + 1 hand luggage per person. On certain France–Italy routes, the recommended dimensions are around 75 x 53 x 30 cm per bag to avoid any overcrowding.

Your personal belongings must never block movement on board or take up seats.

Transporting bikes and special equipment

• Folding or dismantled bikes: accepted free of charge if they respect the maximum dimensions (under 200 cm combined once folded).

• Skis, strollers, musical instruments: allowed free of charge if properly stored.

• Bulky luggage is transported at your own risk in case of loss, theft or damage.

In short: you can travel with peace of mind with your belongings, as long as they remain reasonable and properly stored on board.

The rules for unaccompanied minors with Trenitalia are precise and vary depending on the type of journey.

In France (national routes), children under 12 years old cannot travel alone: they must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

On international France–Italy routes, the minimum age to travel alone is set at 15 years and above. Below this age, an accompanying adult is mandatory.

Unlike some rail or airline companies, Trenitalia does not offer a dedicated unaccompanied minor service. The child must therefore be able to manage their journey independently.

Required documents

• A personal ticket in their name.
• A valid ID (ID card or passport).
• For departures from France to Italy without a parent: a parental authorization to leave the country (AST – Cerfa form) along with a copy of the signing parent's ID.

Also note: children under 4 travel free if seated on an adult's lap, and children aged 4 to 14 generally benefit from around a 50% discount on the base fare.

Before booking, it's recommended to check the exact conditions applicable to your journey on the official Trenitalia website.

Trenitalia offers a free assistance service dedicated to people with reduced mobility (PRM) and travelers with disabilities, both at the station and on board Frecciarossa, Intercity and regional trains.

The assistance is provided by RFI (Rete Ferroviaria Italiana) and includes support from a reception point at the station to your seat on the train, then upon arrival to the exit or to a taxi if needed.

How to book assistance?

It's recommended to book at least 24 hours before departure via the Sala Blu service (online, via the Sala Blu+ app or directly at one of the 16 Sala Blu lounges located in major Italian stations).

The Sala Blu lounges are generally open from 6:45am to 9:30pm.

Onboard equipment and accessibility

• Dedicated wheelchair spaces (maximum permitted dimensions: approximately 70 x 120 cm, up to 250 kg).
• Reserved seats for companions.
• Accessible restrooms on Frecciarossa and Intercity trains.
• Low floors or access platforms on many recent regional trains.

If the traveler is not independent, an accompanying person is required. It's advisable to check the accessibility of the relevant stations and trains in advance on the official Trenitalia website.

Couldn't find the answer to your question about your trip with Trenitalia? Here are the main ways to get in touch.

Customer service in France

• Paris & Lyon ticket offices: 09 74 91 98 72 (local call rate, Monday to Saturday from 8am to 7:30pm, excluding public holidays).

Trenitalia international service

• +39 06 68 47 54 75 (service available from 7am to 11:59pm; voicemail outside these hours with possible callback).

Specific assistance

• PRM service (reduced mobility assistance): 800 90 60 60 (toll-free number from a landline in Italy, 6:45am–9:30pm).
• Complaint form available on trenitalia.com or by mail: Trenitalia France – Customer Service, B.P. 10308, 75563 Paris Cedex 12.

You can also use the official Trenitalia app or website to get real-time information, manage your tickets and track your train.

We wish you a great trip with Trenitalia!

Do you travel regularly with Trenitalia? Good news: the company offers several loyalty programs and promotional deals to lower your ticket prices, both in France and Italy.

CartaFRECCIA: the loyalty program

CartaFRECCIA is free and lets you earn points on every trip on Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca and Intercity trains.

• €1 spent on Frecce trains = 1 point.
• €1 spent on Intercity = 0.5 point.

Points can then be converted into free tickets or exclusive benefits. The card also gives access to dedicated discounts.

Young & Senior discounts

• Young offer: for under-28s, up to -30% on certain routes.
• Senior offer: for those 60 and over, up to -30% on a selection of trains.

These offers are accessible via CartaFRECCIA and vary based on availability.

Seasonal promotions

Trenitalia regularly launches promotions to compete with other European operators:

• Super Economy from €23 on Paris–Lyon–Milan–Marseille (early booking).
• Occasional special deals such as Paris–Lyon tickets at €14 during promotional events.

Winter season sales generally open from September, with attractive fares for travelers who book early.

Group offers and passes

• Gruppo offer: from €35 per person for groups of at least 10 travelers.
• Trenitalia Pass: 3 to 10 trips within a month, ideal for exploring Italy with full flexibility.

To not miss any promotion, be sure to regularly check the Offers section on the Trenitalia website or sign up for the official newsletter.

The level of comfort and services on board Trenitalia trains varies depending on the type of train (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Intercity or regional) as well as the class chosen.

On the Frecciarossa and Frecciargento high-speed trains, you enjoy an excellent level of amenities: ergonomic seats (2x2 layout in Standard, 2x1 in Business), regulated air conditioning, LED lighting, power and USB outlets at every seat, plus free Wi-Fi.

All travelers have access to the Portale FRECCIAPlay, an onboard entertainment platform offering movies, series, music and digital press. Perfect for working or relaxing during the journey.

For catering, a FRECCIABistrò service is available with snacks, drinks and Italian specialties. In Premium, Business or Executive class, a welcome drink is generally included.

In Executive class, the experience is taken up another notch: spacious 1x1 seats, at-seat service and premium amenities for a fully comfortable journey.

Long-distance trains also have dedicated spaces for bulky luggage, bikes and travelers with reduced mobility (upon reservation), as well as a video surveillance system on the main routes.

On the other hand, on Intercity and regional trains, services are more basic: no entertainment portal or full catering on board. It's therefore advisable to bring your own supplies (charged battery, snack) before departure.

Good news: pets are allowed on board Trenitalia trains, subject to certain conditions related to their size and the type of train.

Small animals (under 5 kg)

Small dogs, cats and other pets under 5 kg travel free of charge, without reservation.

They must be carried in a closed bag, basket or carrier (maximum dimensions allowed, depending on the route), and are considered hand luggage. Only one animal is allowed per passenger.

However, they are not allowed in Executive carriages, Silence zones or dining areas.

Larger dogs

Dogs over 5 kg can travel, but a reservation is mandatory and a surcharge applies depending on the route (particularly on international routes).

They must be kept on a leash and wear a muzzle for the entire duration of the trip. Only one large dog is allowed per passenger.

They are not allowed in Executive class or dining carriages.

Guide dogs and required documents

Assistance guide dogs travel free of charge, with no obligation for a muzzle or carrier.

In all cases, you must be able to present the required documents: identification certificate, health record or European pet passport.

The animal remains the owner's responsibility and may be refused on board in case of nuisance or danger to other travelers.

Boarding Trenitalia trains is simple: no formal check-in is required for most services. Just check the display boards at the station (tabelloni) to verify the train number and platform (binario), then head directly there.

If you're traveling with an e-ticket, simply present it on your smartphone during the check. However, for regional trains with a paper ticket, remember to validate it at the yellow machines before boarding.

We recommend arriving at the station at least 20 to 30 minutes before departure, especially at major Italian stations. This gives you time to find your platform and settle in without rushing.

Note: on high-speed trains like the Frecciarossa, the doors lock automatically shortly before departure. Arriving at the last minute is therefore strongly discouraged.

Once on board, store your luggage in the designated spaces and keep your ticket and ID handy for the check.

Yes, Trenitalia also runs in France! The Italian company operates the Paris-Lyon-Turin-Milan line with its Frecciarossa trains, the famous high-speed "red arrows". It also offers Frecciarossa services on Paris-Lyon-Marseille.

It's direct competition for the TGV, and it's great news for your tickets: on these routes, comparing Trenitalia and SNCF often allows you to save several dozen euros, with equal or even better comfort (four classes, including a very spacious Executive).

On Tictactrip, Frecciarossa trains appear in the same search as TGVs: enter your route and let the comparison tool do the work.

Seat selection on board Trenitalia trains depends on the type of train (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Intercity or Regionale) as well as the class selected when booking.

• Regional trains (Regionale): seating is unassigned. There's no pre-assigned seat; you choose your seat among those available at boarding.

• Long-distance and high-speed trains (Frecce, Intercity): a seat is automatically assigned when the ticket is purchased. On most routes, you can select your seat via an interactive map (window, aisle, facing, quiet zone, table, etc.) when booking or through the app.

Configuration by class (Frecciarossa)

• Standard (2nd class): 2x2 layout, comfortable seats with tray table and power outlets.
• Premium: more spacious 2x2, leather seats with welcome service.
• Business (1st class): 2x1 layout for more space and quiet.
• Executive: exclusive 1x1 configuration, wide, highly reclinable seats, a very premium space.

Depending on the fare chosen (particularly Super Economy), fees may apply to change or select a specific seat. It's therefore advisable to choose your seat at the time of booking if you have a particular preference.

The Trenitalia network breaks down into three levels. The Frecce (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca) are the high-speed trains: Rome-Milan in 3 hours, mandatory reservation, maximum comfort.

The Intercity trains connect major cities at a classic speed, often running day and night (Intercity Notte), at intermediate prices. Finally, the Regionale trains serve the entire country without reservation: it's the cheapest option, perfect for short distances, with a fixed fare regardless of when you buy.

For the same route, the price difference can be significant: compare the three categories on Tictactrip before booking.

Trenitalia's cancellation and refund policy depends on the type of train and, above all, the fare chosen at the time of purchase.

Cancelling before departure

• Base fare (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Intercity): refundable up until the train's departure, with a penalty of around 20% of the amount.

• Economy and Super Economy fares: non-refundable tickets. No refund is provided in case of cancellation.

• Regional trains (tickets over €10): refundable up until the day before departure with around 20% fees. Some specific tickets (e.g. certain airport routes) may be non-refundable.

Cancellation or change requests are made via the "My bookings" section on trenitalia.com, via the official app, or at the point of sale where the ticket was purchased.

Ticket exchanges

Base tickets and, under certain conditions, Economy tickets can be changed before departure. If the new train is more expensive, the fare difference must be paid.

Refunds in case of delay

Since 2025, for regional electronic tickets, the refund is automatic in case of delay:

• 25% of the ticket for a delay between 60 and 119 minutes.
• 50% of the ticket for a delay of 120 minutes or more.
• 100% in case of train cancellation or major service disruption.

The refund is generally credited back to the payment method used at purchase.

Not always easy to understand the different types of Trenitalia tickets? Here's a clear guide to choosing the fare that suits your trip.

Tickets for regional trains

On Regionale trains, the system is simple: you buy an Ordinaria ticket (fixed fare based on distance).

The price does not vary with demand. The ticket is usually valid for a set period (24h to several days depending on the route) and can be changed up until the day before departure.

Ideal for routes like Pisa – Florence or for exploring an Italian region without constraints.

Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Intercity tickets

For long-distance and high-speed trains, several levels of flexibility are offered:

• Super Economy: the lowest fare. Non-changeable and non-refundable.
• Economy: more flexible. Usually 1 change allowed (under conditions), non-refundable.
• Base: flexible fare. Unlimited changes before departure and refund possible with around 20% penalty.
• Serenità (on some international lines such as Paris–Lyon–Milan): unlimited changes and possibility of cancellation under specific conditions.

Choosing classes (Frecciarossa)

In addition to the fare, you choose a service class:

• Standard: comfortable 2nd class, the most economical option.
• Premium: more spacious seats + welcome service.
• Business: 2x1 layout with more space.
• Executive: the most exclusive class, 1x1 layout and premium services.

Example: for a Rome – Florence trip on Frecciarossa, the cheapest ticket will be a Standard Super Economy, while the most flexible, premium option will be an Executive Base.

Discounts and special offers

• Children aged 4 to 14: around -50%.
• Under 4: free on an adult's lap.
• Young (under 30) and Senior (over 60 with CartaFRECCIA) offers.
• Group fares (from 10 people).
• Trenitalia Pass (3 to 10 trips over 1 month).

In short: first choose your class, then your level of flexibility. The real question to ask yourself is simple: "Do I need to be able to change my ticket?"