Thanks to the fast train connections, planning day trips from Rome by train is easy.
With up to 186.4 mph (300 km/h), some of the best places and cities in Italy are within reach.
Here we share the best trips from Rome you wouldn’t thought be possible.
First, we share our top 3 trips from Rome, followed by other day tours that might be interesting to you.
Day Trips From Rome: Our Top 3 Highlights
1. Florence: A Renaissance gem packed with art and history, just 1.5 hours away.
2. Naples and Pompeii: Explore ancient ruins and vibrant city life, about 2 hours from Rome.
3. Amalfi Coast: Breathtaking coastal views and charming, small towns, accessible in about 3 hours.
Trips By Train
Before you book your train trip to one of the highlights, there are some things you should consider:
- Book tickets for the high-speed trains in advance; we booked our train tickets through Omio. Train tickets are automatically validated, and you get notifications in case trains run late
- If you book them at the train station, you need to validate them before entering the train
- Leave yourself some time; trains might arrive later than scheduled.
⭐️ Pro Travel Tip: If you plan on taking multiple train trips in Italy and Europe consider getting a Eurail Pass.
Places To Visit Near Rome
If you explored the best things to see in Rome, and are looking for destinations close to Rome to visit, check out these tips:
Tivoli
Just 30 minutes from Rome, Tivoli offers two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Villa d’Este with its stunning Renaissance gardens and fountains, and Villa Adriana, Emperor Hadrian’s ancient retreat.
Orvieto
This charming hilltop town in Umbria is only an hour away. Don’t miss the Gothic cathedral and the underground cave network.
Ostia Antica
Rome’s ancient port city is a 30-minute train ride away. You can wander through well-preserved ruins and get a glimpse into daily life in ancient Rome.
Appian Way
The Appian Way is one of the oldest and most important Roman roads. You can rent a bike and explore the ancient catacombs and roads. It’s easily accessible from the center of Rome.
Train Trips From Rome From 2 To 3 Hours
These train rides take 2 to 3 hours, but the following excursion tips are among the best sights in Italy:
Day Trip From Rome To Florence
Florence is a city you can easily explore on foot. It’s named one of the most walkable cities in the world and is one of the best cities to visit in Italy.
The high-speed train from Rome takes you to the capital of Tuscany in just under 2 hours.
There’s a lot to see here. You can already see the best sights of Florence in one day during a day trip from Rome.
Download our free Italy travel planning checklist:
Train Ride From Rome To Pompeii And Naples
Pompeii is one of the most popular historical sites in southern Italy. The site and the city of Pompei are considered one of the best cities in South Italy.
You can spend up to a whole day here if you want to see everything in detail. I’ve been to Pompeii twice and spent about 3-4 hours there each time.
If you enjoyed the Colosseum in Rome, you will love Pompeii too. It has one of the oldest Roman amphitheaters.
For me, this was enough time to see the main sights.
In any case, we recommend booking tickets for Pompeii in advance.
Pompeii is one of the most important sights in Italy. Especially if your time is limited, you certainly don’t want to stand in line forever.
There are three entrances in Pompeii. Your train will go from Roma Termini to Pompei Scavi. The travel time with one change is 3 hours one way.
From Pompeii Scavi, you’re just a few minutes’ walk from the entrance.
You can read more here about how to visit Pompeii.
Alternatively, you can also make a more stress-free trip from Rome to enjoy Pompeii and Naples in a day. There are guided tours that include transportation, admission, and guided tours.
Here you travel by train from Rome to Naples. Then you continue by an air-conditioned bus to Pompeii.
This saves you time, as the trains from Naples to Pompeii take longer. (We’ve tested this ourselves).
You can find the details of the guided tour here:
Rome to Pompeii and Naples Guided Tour
⭐️ Travel Tip: Check out our Rome to Naples itinerary to see the best of both cities (including the best things to do like hiking Mount Vesuvius, and visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum).
Day Trip From Rome To The Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is a dream destination for many. Of course, it’s best to spend several days on the Amalfi Coast. But not everyone has that much time.
From Rome, you can take a day trip to the Amalfi Coast including the most beautiful place, Positano.
Even though it’s theoretically possible to travel to Sorrento and then take public transportation to the Amalfi Coast, we would advise against it.
It takes far too much time.
However, since the Amalfi Coast is one of the most popular travel destinations in Italy, we want to mention this day trip for the sake of completeness.
If you want to see the stunning coast, we would recommend a guided tour in this case.
Rome to Amalfi Coast Guided Tour
Not Recommended Day Trips From Rome (And Why)
There are some other amazing places I’m sure you’d love to add to your bucket list.
When I do my research, I come across too many travel websites recommending day trips from Rome to Cinque Terre or Pisa.
I don’t recommend including these because they’re simply too far away.
You could travel to Pisa, which takes about 3 hours by train.
The Cinque Terre, however, is more than 4 hours one way.
If you want to see the Cinque Terre, which I totally understand because it’s as beautiful as the Amalfi Coast, you can more easily plan it as a day trip from Florence or a day trip from Milan.
Day Trips From Rome By Train & The Complete Train Travel In Italy Guide
Day trips from Rome by train offer an amazing opportunity to explore Italy’s landscapes, cities, and historical sites.
If you experience Rome in the rain, it’s a good idea to check the weather forecast and consider booking a day trip from Rome. There might be sunshine just around the corner.
You can enjoy some of the best attractions in Italy, including Renaissance art in Florence, wandering through Pompeii with a view of Mount Vesuvius in the background, or enjoying the coastal beauty of the Amalfi Coast.
⭐️ Don’t miss reading the train travel in Italy guide to avoid hefty fines and to travel with more ease.
⭐️ Pro Travel Tip: Consider buying a Eurail Pass if you plan on taking multiple train trips in Italy and Europe. It can save you money and give you flexibility.
If you found this article helpful for your travel planning and you’d like to show your appreciation, please consider sharing the article link or treating me to a coffee. ☕️
