Rome Termini to Milan Central Trains from €35.90

Whether you’re keen to shop at Quadrilatero della Moda or see the opera at La Scala, taking the train from Rome Termini to Milan Centrale couldn’t be easier.

Within a few hours of leaving the Eternal City, you’ll be stepping off the train in one of the world’s fashion capitals. There are countless departures throughout the day, too, so you’ll have plenty of flexibility when planning your trip.

There are up to six direct trains an hour from Rome Termini to Milan Centrale, with the first leaving at just after 5 am and the last at around 8:40 pm. Here’s what you need to know about these stations.

Departure station: Departing from Roma Termini

Roma Termini is the city’s main station and is easy to get to from the city’s most popular spots.

• Address: Via Giovanni Giolitti 40, 00185 Rome. The main entrance is on Piazza dei Cinquecento.
• Facilities: Left luggage by platform 24, a supermarket, a pharmacy, cafés, restaurants, paid toilets, the Italo lounge (free for Club Executive passengers), and the Trenitalia lounge (free for Executive passengers).
• Departure platforms: Trains to Milan leave from different platforms, so keep an eye on the departures board to see which one you need.
• Good to know: You’ll need to scan the QR code on your e-ticket at the gates to reach the platforms, so have it ready on your phone. If you’re travelling in Prima Business or Club Executive on Italo, you can use the Fast Track entrance by platform 12. Some trains carry on to Turin, so the board may show Torino Porta Nuova rather than Milano Centrale. If in doubt, check if the train number matches your ticket.
• How to get there:
  • From the Vatican and Prati: Take the orange Metro Line A from Ottaviano towards Anagnina and ride six stops to Termini.
  • From the Spanish Steps: Catch Metro Line A from Spagna in the same direction. It’s three stops to Termini.
  • From the Colosseum and Monti: Hop on the blue Metro Line B at Colosseo and it’s two stops to Termini and one from Cavour.

Arrival station: Arriving at Milano Centrale

Milano Centrale is Milan’s main station, but as it’s outside of the old town, you’ll want to take the metro to reach most of the sights. Luckily, you can jump on the green M2 or yellow M3 right below the main concourse.

• Address: Piazza Duca d’Aosta 1, 20124 Milan.
• Facilities: Left luggage, cafés, a food court, a supermarket and paid toilets.
• Arrival platforms: Your train from Rome will pull into the upper level of the station. Once you’re past the gates at the end of the platform, take a lift, escalator or travelator to reach the main exit on the ground floor.
• Good to know: For the metro, look for the M sign in the colonnade at the front of the station, then tap your phone or contactless card at the barriers. If you’d rather take a taxi, you’ll find ranks on either side of the station, by platforms 4 and 21.
• How to get around:
  • To the Duomo: Hop on the yellow M3 towards San Donato and get off at Duomo (it’s the fourth stop).
  • To Brera: Take the green M2 towards Abbiategrasso or Assago and get off at Lanza four stops later.
  • To the Navigli canals: Catch the M2 in the same direction and ride eight stops to Porta Genova.

Frecciarossa

Frecciarossa is the fastest train from Rome Termini to Milan Centrale — it gets you there in as little as 2 hours 52 minutes.

• Avg. duration: Around 3 hours 10 minutes.
• Best for: Anyone who wants the quickest journey and the widest choice of departure times.
• Onboard perks: You’ll have a choice of Standard, Premium and Business. There’s free Wi-Fi, plug sockets and a café-bar on board (although Premium and Business also include a complimentary snack and drink).
• Worth knowing: Book early and you’ll pay from around £33 in Standard, with Premium often costing just £6 extra. Just keep in mind that the cheapest fares are usually non-changeable and non-refundable. Ticket prices are dynamic and are usually at their most expensive when booking last minute.

Italo

Italo is a privately owned high-speed operator in Italy and is a direct competitor to Frecciarossa, so you can expect a similar onboard experience. Prices are almost identical, too, although Italo is usually a couple of pounds cheaper than Frecciarossa.

• Avg. duration: Most trains take around 3 hours 10 minutes.
• Best for: Travellers looking for the cheapest high-speed fare, or anyone who wants to make the most of their last day in Rome (Italo has the latest departure to Milan).
• Onboard perks: You can choose from Smart, Prima Business and Club Executive. These offer different levels of comfort, but all come with free Wi-Fi and plug sockets. In Smart, there are vending machines, while in the higher classes, the crew serves snacks and drinks at your seat. If you’ve got a big suitcase, though, you’ll need Prima Business or Club Executive, as the size limit for bags in Smart is 75 x 53 x 30 cm.
• Worth knowing: As with Frecciarossa, the cheapest fares don’t allow for changes or refunds, and prices generally go up closer to departure. When booking in advance, the cheapest tickets start from £26 in Smart, £47 in Prima Business and £140 in Club Executive.

Frecciabianca

Frecciabianca is only really worth it if you want to travel along the coast, as it takes twice as long as Frecciarossa and Italo. There’s also only one departure per day. Fares are marginally cheaper, too, but you may offset the savings with food on board.

• Avg. duration: Around 6 hours 45 minutes, as it takes the long way round via Pisa, La Spezia and Genoa.
• Best for: Those who aren’t in a rush and fancy seeing a bit of Tuscany and Liguria on the way to Milan in summer (in winter, it gets dark early) and those who are really counting the pennies.
• Onboard perks: There are 1st and 2nd classes, with both offering reserved seats and luggage racks. In the 2nd, food and drink are available for sale, while in the 1st, there’s a complimentary welcome drink and snack.
• Worth knowing: Fares start from around £22 in 2nd class. These aren’t high-speed trains and don’t come with Wi-Fi.

From elegant Renaissance architecture, world-famous masterpieces and exceptional high-end shopping, Milan is a must for those who like the finer things in life. Here’s a rundown of some of the must-visit attractions and how to get there from Milan Centrale:

• Duomo di Milano: It’s only a short ride on the yellow M3 metro line to this iconic Gothic cathedral. You can take the lift or climb the stairs up to the rooftop terraces — you’ll just need to book a ticket online in advance.
• The Last Supper – Cenacolo Vinciano: Take the green M2 metro line to Cadorna (five stops) and then it’s around a 12-minute walk to where this famous Leonardo da Vinci mural is on show. You can only visit at set times though, so be sure to book ahead.
• Pinacoteca di Brera: Get off the M2 line at Lanza for the city’s top art museum, which is home to works by Raphael, Caravaggio and Mantegna. If you want to beat the crowds, it’s best to reserve a time slot online before you visit.