Italy has an excellent train system. Eurostar offers Italy's fastest, most direct and comfortable train service between the major cities. To give you an idea of travel times, a trip from Milan to Naples takes about 6.5 hours on Eurostar, Florence to Rome is 1.5 hours and Venice to Rome is 5 hours. You should make a reservation for Eurostar service, although tickets are often available at the last minute.

Second class on Eurostar is very comfortable and meets the needs of most travelers. The first class carriages offer more sitting room and free drink service.

If you are traveling between smaller cities, you will most likely be on Intercity trains and probably don't need a reservation (unless it is a holiday or weekend), which cost 3 euros extra. First class cars are much more comfortable than second class. Intercity Notte trains run at night and provide sleeping compartments (for 3 or 6 people), for an extra fee. Interegionale, Regionale and Diretto trains are basically commuter trains and sometimes there may not even be a station agent to buy tickets from at these stations. In this case, buy your tickets at the newsstand. Be sure to validate your own ticket on the smaller trains. For more information: www.trenitalia.com

Although Italy is very safe, always pay close attention to your belongings when in a big-city train station and while on traveling on the trains.