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How to get from Milan to Rome
Rome is a beauty in ruins, a perfect mix of history, culture, and vibrant street life. The Colosseum and the Pantheon still standing proud are a testament to why it was once one of the most powerful empires in the world. No doubt a trip to Rome is like going back in time.
At its heart is a world of its own – Vatican City – which yearly draws millions of believers and non-believers alike. The jaw-dropping architecture and art in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums are not to be missed!
4 ways to get from Milan to Rome
We recommend taking the train when travelling the 570 km distance from Milan to Rome. A regular train journey takes 7.5-10.5 hours and fares start from €61 ($64). High-speed trains take only 3-4.5 hours for €73 ($77). Other options include a 7.5 to 11.5-hour bus and a 1-hour flight (plus transfers). Rates range from €19 ($20) to €38.50 ($40.50).
The train is the most comfortable option when travelling from Milan to Rome. Depending on your budget, you can take a 7.5 to 10.5-hour Intercity train or a 3 to 4.5-hour high-speed train. Fares start from €61 ($64). Overnight trains are also available so that you can maximize your daytime for exploring the 2 cities.
Train tickets can be more expensive the later you book. When train fares get too pricy, then you can go for the bus. Both day and night trips are available with rates starting from €19 ($20). If you don’t mind the long travel, you can save money with this bus than taking the Intercity train that is 3x more expensive.
We don’t recommend taking a flight from Milan to Rome. While the flight itself only takes an hour, you’ll have to add the airport transfers and waiting time for your flight. Total of 3 hours, at least, which is about the same price as a direct high-speed train. The train will be a more convenient and environment-friendly option.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Milan to Rome by Train
Taking the train is a convenient way to get from Milan to Rome. The trains depart and arrive at the city centre, so you only need to either walk or take a short taxi ride between the train stations and your hotel.
There are multiple train departures every hour from 04:35 to 20:40. If you’re on a budget and do not want to waste valuable day time, then you can take the overnight Intercity train to Rome for €53 ($56). This way, you can also save a night on accommodation.
You can choose from 3 kinds of trains:
- Intercity trains are the cheapest with fares €61 ($64), but also the slowest. Travel time is between 7.5 to 10.5 hours. Note that these trains require 1-2 transfers.
- Italo trains are privately-owned high-speed trains. They can get you to Rome in just 3-3.5 hours for €73 ($77).
- Frecciarossa high-speed trains have a bit longer travel time of around 4-4.5 hours and are more expensive at €79 ($84). If you want to take a high-speed train, we suggest booking with Italo which is cheaper and has a shorter travel time.
Below is a breakdown of train schedules from Milan to Rome.
Departure and arrival station
Most trains depart from Milan Centrale, 4 km north of Milan Cathedral. Several Italo trains are also available at Milan Rogoredo on the southeastern side of Milan city centre.
There are also two arrival points in Rome. The main train station is Roma Termini, about 2 kms away from the famous Colosseum. You can also choose a train that stops at Roma Tiburtina in the city centre.
Train schedules from Milan to Rome
Ticket prices are usually cheaper the earlier you book. We recommend booking online via Omio for the cheapest rates and easy user interface.
Milan to Rome by Bus
The bus is the slowest of all the options but is the cheapest option for the Milan to Rome route.
FlixBus and Itabus are the companies offering daily bus trips on this route. Travel time can range from 7.5 to 11.5 hours, which is around the same time as the Intercity train. If you don’t mind the long travel, we suggest taking the bus to save money.
Rates can get as cheap as €19 ($20), but note that they can still vary on how early you book your bus tickets.
Departure and arrival station
The main bus station is Lampugnano Bus Station, about 10 km northwest of Milan city centre. There are also some FlixBus buses departing from San Donato M3.
You will be dropped off at Rome Tiburtina Bus Station. From here, you can take the Metro to any of the city’s major tourist areas.
Bus schedules from Milan to Rome
When booking online, you can buy Itabus tickets from BookAway, a very easy-to-use platform. Meanwhile, FlixBus tickets are available on its own website.
Milan to Rome by Flight
Taking a flight from Milan to Rome does seem like the fastest option. The plane ride only takes a little over an hour. But when you add the transfers to and from the airports, as well as the waiting time for your flight, then it really takes over 3 hours.
While overall costs for this flight option are cheaper than any of the trains, this option requires several transfers. If you want a comfortable ride between Milan and Roma, you can go with the direct high-speed train.
Do you still want to take a flight? Then you can check out the step-by-step guide below.
Step 1: Milan City Centre to Linate Airport by Bus
Flights from Milan to Rome depart from Linate Airport, the nearest airport to Milan city centre, located just 7 km east. To get to the airport, you can take a bus from several areas in Milan.
Local bus line 73 buses are available at Duomo M1 M3. From here, it is a 1-hour bus ride to the airport for €2 ($2.10). You can also take a bus from Milan Centrale Station for €5 ($5). Travel time is just 25 minutes.
You can buy your tickets at the ticketing machine at the bus stop or on the bus. You can also book them in advance on BookAway.
For more convenience, you can also take an Uber Black to the airport. Rates for a 2-seater car start from €26 ($27.50). Ordinary taxis are a bit more expensive with fares from €33 ($35).
Step 2: Milan to Rome by Flight
ITA Airways operates multiple direct flights from Milan to Rome daily. There are more flights during the peak season.
Airfares start from €31 ($32.50) and the flight takes a little over an hour.
You will arrive at Fiumicino Airport, about 30 km west of Rome city centre.
Step 3: Fiumicino Airport to Rome City Centre by Bus
From Fiumicino Airport, the cheapest way to reach the city centre is by bus.
There are several airport buses available, but we prefer Terravision for their competitive rates and good reviews. A ticket costs €6 ($6) for the 1-jour journey.
Buses depart once every hour from 00:45 to 23:00. They park at Roma Termini, located 2 km northeast of Piazza Venezia.
Check Bus Tickets with BookAway
Looking for other modes of transport from Fiumicino Airport to the city centre? You can also take a 30-minute train that costs €14 ($14.50) or a 40-minute Uber or taxi with rates from €50 ($53).
Routes from Rome
Most popular routes in Italy
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
