How do we process your data?

We use cookies to improve your browsing experience and personalize our content. They are mainly used for statistical purposes.

Our guide

Rome

Travel by train across Rome: ideas and practical advice

Want to explore the Eternal City? You’re in luck—Rome is just one train transfer away from France! Check out our guide to enjoying a city trip to Rome without a plane or a car, featuring culture, cuisine, and heritage.

Our photos & videos

How to reach Rome by train?

Good news: Several major French cities offer direct or nearly direct connections to Italy! Here’s the best route based on your departure point:

From Paris: A direct Frecciarossa train to Milan or Turin (operated by Trenitalia France from Paris Gare de Lyon), followed by a Trenitalia train to Rome Termini. The total travel time is about 11 hours, with daily departures.
From Lyon: Take the direct Frecciarossa train to Milano Centrale (about 5 hours), then transfer to Rome. This is one of the fastest routes from France, taking about 9 hours in total.
From Strasbourg : A direct TGV connects the Strasbourg train station to Milan in about 10 hours and 45 minutes, followed by a connection to Rome Termini. The total travel time is about 11 hours.
From Bordeaux: The easiest option is to take the TGV to Paris (about 2 hours), then transfer to the direct Frecciarossa train to Milan/Turin and on to Rome—a trip that can be done in a single day with an early morning departure. There is also a direct TGV from Bordeaux to Milan (about 11 hours), but it doesn’t connect well on the same day with the onward trip to Rome: in this case, it’s best to plan a stopover in Milan.
From Marseille: There’s no practical direct route; you’ll need to make several connections via the Italian Riviera. Head to Nice, then Ventimiglia to join the Italian rail network, traveling along the entire French Riviera—the trip takes about 11 to 14 hours, depending on the connections. The detour via Lyon offers a comparable travel time (about 11 hours) if you prefer a more direct route on the French side. For your information, the Espresso Riviera night train used to be a great alternative, but it has not been renewed for the summer of 2026 (see the article below).

A brief nostalgic aside: a direct overnight train, the Espresso Riviera, was quite a success during its first season between Marseille and Rome. However, it was not scheduled to run again for the summer of 2026, as administrative and technical difficulties had hindered its cross-border operation. We’ll tell you about this experience anyway, just in case it makes a comeback:

Article

Rome-Marseille night train: the Espresso Riviera

What to do by train in Rome?

In Rome, there's no shortage of things to do: the Colosseum and the Pantheon are reminders of the Roman Empire, while the picturesque neighborhood of the Trastevere Its winding alleys wind through a friendly atmosphere.

If you love good food, Italian pasta and pizza al taglio are sure to delight your taste buds.

You can easily explore it all on foot or by public transportation: a city that’s as much a pleasure to experience as it is to visit!

Article

What to visit in Rome: our themed recommendations

If your city trip is just a one-day trip, don't panic: we've put together a small selection for you.

Article

Que faire à Rome en une journée ?

When it comes to accommodations, we’ve selected five places that emphasize simplicity and local charm rather than flashiness.

Article

Top 5 des logements éco-responsables à Rome

And in the kitchen veggie ? The Italian capital is full of places that offer something different from the usual carbonara.

Article

Le guide ultime des adresses végétariennes à Rome

What's next?

To continue your journey from Rome, there are plenty of options on the Italian rail network:

If you love the mountains, you’ll be glad to know that a night train runs directly from the Eternal City to the peaks of the Dolomites:

Article

Espresso Cadore: The best night train in Europe between Rome and the Dolomites

If you want to explore Italy more extensively while saving on hotel stays and making the most of your time, let's take a look at Intercity Notte overnight train routes In this article: