What to expect when visiting Rome
Rome is Italy’s capital, a perfect mix of history, culture, and vibrant street life. It’s a beauty in ruins. With the Colosseum and the Pantheon still standing proud, it is easy to understand why Rome was once one of the world’s most powerful empires.
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! Truly, a visit to Rome will take you back in time.
3 ways to get from Milan to Rome
There are 3 ways to travel the distance of 570 kilometers (354 miles) from Milan to Rome by bus (7 hours 25 minutes to 13 hours), train (3 hours to 4 hours 30 minutes) and flight (3 hours 10 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 3 to 13 hours and the quickest way is by train. The lowest priced tickets start from €12.50 for the bus.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 hours 25 minutes to 13 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 €12.50, 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
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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.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
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 €1.50. You can also take a bus from Milan Centrale Station for €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. Ordinary taxis are a bit more expensive with fares from €33.
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 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 for a journey of 1 hour.
Buses depart once every hour from 00:45 to 23:00. They park at Roma Termini, located 2 km northeast of Piazza Venezia.
Looking for other modes of transport from Fiumicino Airport to the city centre? You can also take a 30-minute train that costs €14 or a 40-minute Uber or taxi with rates from €50.
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. 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 €66, 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.
- Frecciarossa high-speed trains have a bit longer travel time of around 4-4.5 hours and are more expensive at €95. 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
Frequently Asked Questions about Milan to Rome
What is the distance from Milan to Rome?
The distance from Milan to Rome is 570 kilometers (354 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Milan to Rome?
The fastest way to get from Milan to Rome is by train and takes 3 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Milan to Rome?
The cheapest way to get from Milan to Rome is by bus with ticket costs starting from €12.50.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Milan to Rome. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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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.
