Scenic Train Routes in Italy: Coast, Venice & Lake Journeys
Illustration for trip planning. Check current operator information and your ticket conditions.
Cover photo: a Trenitalia ETR 104 passes the former Vernazza station, 29 October 2023. Reduced image. Photo: Benjamin Smith / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
For scenery, choose the actual railway segment, not just a famous city pair. High-speed lines often pass through long tunnels. A slower coastal or lakeside journey can be a better fit when the view matters more than the quickest arrival.
Cinque Terre: La Spezia to Levanto
The regional railway connects Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso between La Spezia and Levanto. Expect short glimpses of the coast between tunnels rather than an uninterrupted sea view. The main advantage is reaching the villages without a car. Corniglia station sits below its hilltop village, so include the climb or local connection in your day plan.
Compare single tickets with the current Cinque Terre Treno MS Card for the journeys you will actually make. Prices and service patterns are seasonal. See the Cinque Terre ticket and station guide.
Venice: continue to Santa Lucia
If you want to arrive in historic Venice, select Venezia Santa Lucia. Trains reach it across the lagoon causeway; the station exits beside the Grand Canal. Venezia Mestre is on the mainland and has a different arrival experience. The view is a brief part of the journey, not a description of the whole route from Rome or Milan.
Plan the final walk or water transport to your hotel, including bridges and luggage. Compare Santa Lucia and Mestre before selecting your train.
Lake Como: choose the lake town first
Como and Varenna are different rail gateways. A train to Como does not deliver you to Varenna or directly to every lakeside village. For the eastern shore, check current trains towards Varenna-Esino and beyond; for Como, compare the appropriate Como station with your hotel or boat departure point. Views can be interrupted by buildings, tunnels and the train's position.
Check rail and ferry timetables separately, especially out of season. Leave enough time to reach the pier rather than treating the train arrival as a guaranteed boat connection.
Build a practical scenic day
- Choose the station nearest the place you want to visit.
- Check daylight hours and the last useful return train.
- Compare total travel time, changes and time at the destination.
- Read the ticket's format-specific validation rules.
- Recheck disruptions and any replacement buses before leaving.
Use high-speed trains for longer city transfers and regional trains where they help you reach a coast or lake. Do not pay for a specific window view that the operator has not guaranteed.
