While there's no direct London to Italy train, it's a surprisingly easy and enjoyable journey to La Bella Italia by rail. Whether you want to get there as quickly as possible, take in the scenery, or travel in ultimate comfort, there's a route to suit you. Fancy spending a day in Paris on the way, or exploring the French Riviera? It's all possible by train.
Crossing Europe: London to Italy
Your adventure from London to Italy will always begin with the Eurostar service from St Pancras International to Paris. From there, you can choose your onward path based on your priorities: speed or scenery.
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The quickest way: via Paris
For the fastest journey, the high-speed train is your best friend. The Eurostar whisks you from London to Paris in as little as 2 hours 16 minutes. From Paris Gare de Lyon, you can jump on a high-speed TGV or Frecciarossa train direct to Milan, a journey of about 7 hours. From Milan, the heart of Italy is at your feet, with Trenitalia's modern Frecciarossa trains reaching Rome in just 3 hours.
Travel in Style with Frecciarossa
When travelling in Frecciarossa Premium, Business, or Executive Class, a complimentary welcome service is offered at your seat, with a choice of drinks and snacks. All classes can also access the FrecciaBistrò catering service for Italian gourmet meals and refreshments.
The scenic routes
If you have more time, the journey itself can be a highlight of your trip. Consider breaking up the travel with a stopover in one of Europe's most beautiful regions.
Option 1: The French Riviera
Travel from London to Marseille by train (approx. 6.5 hours via Paris) and immerse yourself in the South of France. The onward journey from Marseille to Genoa in Italy is a beautiful 6-7 hour trip that hugs the sparkling Côte d'Azur and Ligurian coast, passing through Nice, Monaco, and Cannes.
Option 2: The Alpine Gateway
Take the TGV from Paris to Lyon (under 2 hours), France's culinary capital and a gateway to the Alps. From there, continue on to Turin (approx. 4 hours), the elegant home of Italy's royal family. Turin is a major hub, with fast connections to Milan (45 mins), Bologna (2 hours), and Florence (2 hours 40 mins).
What you need to know
France and Italy have well-developed but separate railway systems, dominated by SNCF and Trenitalia respectively. Their ticketing systems aren't directly linked and unfortunately you can't use trainslive.uk to plan your travel beyond the UK (yet!)
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Your journey will start on Eurostar, which offers several ticket classes, from Standard up to Business Premier, which includes a menu curated by a Michelin-starred chef. Even Standard tickets have perks, like discounted entry to museums in Paris. Most Eurostar trains have WiFi, power sockets, and ample luggage space.
Top tips for your trip
Do
- Look for deals: booking Eurostar tickets in advance can save a lot of money.
- Consider a rail pass: for scenic, multi-stop journeys, an Interrail or Eurail pass can offer great value and flexibility.
- Explore hidden gems: stop off in cities like Turin or Antibes to discover incredible food, history, and culture beyond the main tourist trail.
Don't
- Forget to book seats: high-speed trains in France and Italy almost always require a seat reservation, even with a rail pass.
- Underestimate connection times: when changing stations in Paris (e.g., from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon), allow at least an hour.
- Limit yourself: the joy of train travel is the journey. Make the most of it!