When travelling from Milano to Rimini by train, travellers have a choice of three different train services:
1: the fastest and typically most expensive option is to take the Frecciarossa trains which spend most of the journey rushing down the high speed line from Milano to Bologna.
2: Other 'Frecce' trains, which are slower because they don't take the high speed line.
3. The Intercity trains which also take the non high-speed 'classic route', but are slowest of all, because they make more station calls.
Italo trains don't operate on this route.
When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.
2hr 19min
Daily
2 x trains per day from Milano Centrale
1 x train per day from Milano. P. Garibaldi
Italiarail lives up to its name by selling tickets for rail journeys within Italy and the core feature of its service is that it is primarily designed to be used by international visitors to Italy.
So the English translations of place names are used when looking up journeys and the terms and conditions for using each type of ticket are clearly explained.
It also clearly points out the additional costs of upgrading to other classes and types of tickets while spelling out the additional benefits of doing so.
Though Italiarail will charge a booking fee, typically of around €3.
The Early Bird service
Italiarail has launched an 'early bird' pre-booking service for journeys by Frecce trains.
Tickets can be booked up to a year ahead of travel at a flat-rate price per route, before the tickets have been released for sale by Trenitalia.
If when they are placed on sale, the price is cheaper than what you have already paid to Italiarail, it will automatically refund the price difference.
Conversely, if the price is more expensive, you won't be charged the price difference.
You can also have the peace of mind of securing your seat(s) on the Frecce train(s) when you are first planning a trip.
If before the tickets are placed on sale, you decide to change your plans, you can request a refund; but once the tickets are released for sale, you will then be bound by the terms and conditions of the ticket(s) you have booked.
Trenitlalia is the national rail operator in Italy and in addition to its cheaper types of ticket; it also typically offers other discounts available to non-Italians, which include:
One departure at 10:13 now leaves from Milano Porta Garibaldi station.
Final Destination: Bari and Lecce
These trains also call at: Bologna
These trains travel along the high-speed line from Milano to Bologna,
The Frecciabianca and Intercity trains use the conventional line between Milano and Bologna, but these Frecciarossa trains travel at speeds of up to 290 km/h on Italy's fastest high speed line.
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 4 months* ahead of the travel date
*Bookings generally open 4 months ahead for Frecce train services, but tickets for this service MAY only be available around 6 weeks ahead
These Frecciarossa trains are usually scheduled to depart from Milano Centrale and from Milano Porta Garibaldi station.
If you enter 'Milano ( Tutte Le Stazioni )' as the starting parting of your journey on the Trenitalia website, the search results will include the departures from both stations.
On the ticket booking websites you can also compare these trains with the prices of the slower, but more frequent Frecciargento trains
Rail Pass Users:
If you will be travelling with a valid Eurail or InterRail pass, you will need to reserve prior to boarding these trains, either at the station (using a Trenitalia ticket machine or ticket desk) OR by booking them online.
How to book the rail pass reservations online is included on our guide to using rail passes in Italy.
Though the €10 rail pass reservation fees are also payable on the slower Frecce trains, so if the timings suit, target these Frecciarossa trains, if you will be happy tp pay the charge.
2hr 59min (approx)
Daily
7 x trains per day
Trenitlalia is the national rail operator in Italy and in addition to its cheaper types of ticket; it also typically offers other discounts available to non-Italians, which include:
Italiarail lives up to its name by selling tickets for rail journeys within Italy and the core feature of its service is that it is primarily designed to be used by international visitors to Italy.
So the English translations of place names are used when looking up journeys and the terms and conditions for using each type of ticket are clearly explained.
It also clearly points out the additional costs of upgrading to other classes and types of tickets while spelling out the additional benefits of doing so.
Though Italiarail will charge a booking fee, typically of around €3.
The Early Bird service
Italiarail has launched an 'early bird' pre-booking service for journeys by Frecce trains.
Tickets can be booked up to a year ahead of travel at a flat-rate price per route, before the tickets have been released for sale by Trenitalia.
If when they are placed on sale, the price is cheaper than what you have already paid to Italiarail, it will automatically refund the price difference.
Conversely, if the price is more expensive, you won't be charged the price difference.
You can also have the peace of mind of securing your seat(s) on the Frecce train(s) when you are first planning a trip.
If before the tickets are placed on sale, you decide to change your plans, you can request a refund; but once the tickets are released for sale, you will then be bound by the terms and conditions of the ticket(s) you have booked.
Final Destination: Lecce or Ancona (or Taranto or Bari)
These trains also call at: Bologna
These trains don't use the high speed line and travel through Parma and Modena
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 4 months ahead of the travel date
Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.
On the ticket booking website you can compare these non high-speed Frecce trains with the prices of the faster Frecciarossa trains.
Rail Pass Users:
If you will be travelling with a valid Eurail or InterRail pass, you will need to reserve prior to boarding these trains, either at the station (using a Trenitalia ticket machine or ticket desk) OR by booking them online.
How to book the rail pass reservations online is included on our guide to using rail passes in Italy.
Though the rail pass reservation fees will be the same price on the alternative faster Frecciarossa trains, so if you're happy to pay the €10 fee and the timings suit, target those trains.
3hr 52min - 4hr
Daily
Mon-Fri 2 x trains per day
Saturday 3 x trains per day
Sunday 2x trains per day
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for: Comparing different train services; Booking international journeys with connections; Travelling between the UK to destinations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris - and for international travellers who don't reside in western Europe.
Trenitlalia is the national rail operator in Italy and in addition to its cheaper types of ticket; it also typically offers other discounts available to non-Italians, which include:
Final Destination: Taranto or Bari or Pescara
These trains also call at: Bologna
These trains typically depart from Milano daily at around 07:05 and 15:05 and on Saturdays at 10:00.
It seems as though tickets cannot be booked online for this journey by Intercity (IC) train.
Trenitalia seems to have assumed logically, that travellers will opt to take the alternative faster trains when travelling from Milano to Rimini
Rail pass users:
Target these IC trains if you want to save €10 on rail pass reservation fees.
Though if you'll want the peace of remaining in the same seat for the entire journey, paying the optional €3 fee is virtually essential, though if you wait until you are in Italy to book reservations for these trains, they may be sold out.
So this is an instance when making reservations before you arrive in Italy is the best option.
How to book these rail pass reservations online is included on our guide to using rail passes in Italy.
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