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Roma / Rome to Genova / Genoa by train
How to take a rail journey from Rome/Roma to Genoa/Genova
Due to its coastal location Genova is some distance away from Italy's high speed rail network, therefore the city is served by comparatively few express trains.
Though that location on the shores of the Mediterranean ensures that journeys from the south into Genova by train are spectacular!
There is now a choice of four different rail services when taking a train from Rome/Roma to Genoa/Genova by day.
1: An early morning Frecciargento train races up the high speed line to Firenze and then joins the 'classic' coastal route near Pisa, also on every evening except Saturdays, another Frecciargento train begins its journey at the station at Fiumicino airport, so it doesn't depart from Roma Termini.
2. The Frecciabianca trains don't take the high speed line, but they tilt so they can travel faster on that classic coastal route.
3. The Intercity trains take the same route as the Frecciabianca trains, but they don't tilt and they make more station calls, so they're the slowest option; therefore they're typically the cheapest option too.
4. A new evening Italo service uses the high speed line from Roma to Milano and then travels on from Milano to Genova (uniquely for this route, this train calls at Pizza Principe station in the city first and then terminates at Brignole station).
The overnight train option is best avoided, as it departs from Ostiense station in Roma after midnight and arrives in Genova before 06:00.
Something else that's good to know is that the Trenitalia trains from Rome call at two stations in Genoa; they call first at Genova Brignole station, before going on to call at Genova Pizza Principe station.
So it can be worth checking which station is more convenient for your ultimate destination.
Though if you'll be heading to the city centre, the quickest option will be to leave the train at Genova Brignole and transfer there to the Metro.
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Routes
Option 1: taking the high speed Frecce train
Journey Summary
4hr 10min
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Genova P. Principe
This train also calls at: Pisa, La Spezia and Genova Brignole
If you're heading to Genoa/Genova city centre, the quickest option will be to leave this train at Genova Brignole - and then transfer to the Genoa Metro for a one station hop on to De Ferrari station in the heart of the city.
From: Roma Termini:
1 x direct train per day
Tickets
*Save by booking in advance: Yes, for more details on how to obtain the cheapest prices for Frecce trains see the guide to Italian rail tickets.
Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date; though the booking period will be typically be shorter when looking up journeys for travel after the second Sunday in December.
Making a price comparison with the Italo service:
Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale up to 6 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are made available around 3 to 4 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains: and Italo does not sell tickets for these Trenitalia trains.
If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead and have no particular preference for the train that you will be taking, the price and departure times of the Frecce trains and the Italo train can be directly compared on Trainline or Omio, though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.
Rail Pass Users:
If you will be travelling in Italy with a Eurail or InterRail pass, you can save €10 in rail pass reservation fees by taking an Intercity train from Rome to Genoa.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trenitalia | * | |
| Italia rail | * | |
| Trainline | * | |
| Omio | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
This is the fastest option for a train journey from Roma Termini to Genova, it its typically scheduled to depart daily at at 06:23.
This train takes a different route to the other Trenitalia trains between Roma and Genova as it heads north on the high speed line between Roma and Firenze.
This video, taken while travelling in the opposite direction, showcases that this part of the journey will have a wow factor, the route is more scenic than most other high speed lines.
After departure from Firenze the train will then use conventional tracks for the remainder of the journey; at Pisa it will join the route which the other, slower, trains from Rome to Genova take.
After La Spezia, from the left of the train (when facing the direction of travel) there are some stunning coastal views - keep your eyes peeled as the train rushes the Cinque Terrre villages from tunnel to tunnel.
Though the best of the coastal views are between Sestri Levant and Genova.
SMTJ wasn't lucky with the weather when we travelled between these cities, but this attempt at a video montage, showcases the journey experience which awaits you.
Option 2: taking the Frecciabianca trains
Journey Summary
4hr 53 min
Daily
Travel Information
These train also call at: Pisa, La Spezia and Genova Brignole
If you're heading to Genoa/Genova city centre, the quickest option will be to leave this train at Genova Brignole - and then transfer to the Genoa Metro for a one station hop on to De Ferrari station in the heart of the city.
4 x trains per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: 4 months ahead of the travel date; though this period of time can be shorter, particularly when searching for journeys more than three months ahead during October and March.
Seat reservations are complimentary and included within the ticket price.
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.
Though when looking up this journey you can easily compare it with the prices of the alternative faster early morning Frecciargento train and the Intercity trains on the ItaliaRail and Trenitalia booking>
Making a price comparison with the Italo service:
Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale around 4 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are made available around 5 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains: and Italo does not sell tickets for these Trenitalia trains.
If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead and have no particular preference for the train that you will be taking, the price and departure times of the Frecce trains and the Italo train can be directly compared on Trainline or Omio, though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.
Rail Pass Users:
If you will be travelling in Italy with a Eurail or InterRail pass, you can save €10 in rail pass reservation fees, by taking an Intercity train from Rome to Genoa.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trenitalia | from €19.90 | |
| Italia rail | from €19.90 | |
| Save A Train | from €19.90 | |
| Omio | from €19.90 | |
| Trainline | from €19.90 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
The route that these trains take, follows the Mediterranean Coast north from Rome, there are sea views south of Civitavecchia and north of Grosetto; though the railway also heads inland between Livorno and La Spezia.
These coastal views are on the left, soo if you're in luck, your assigned seat(s) will be on that side of the train.
This is a journey that becomes ever more spectacular, the further north you travel.
After La Spezia ,there are some occasional coastal views for around 20 mins, while the train passes through the Cinque Terre.
Keep your eyes peeled as the train rushes from tunnel to tunnel.
However, this journey saves the best to last - the best of the sea views are between Sestri Levant and Genova.
The part of the journey north of La Spezia is so fabulous that it has been included on Tour Radar's list of Europe's most scenic train rides.
SMTJ wasn't lucky with the weather when we travelled between La Spezia and Genova, but this attempt at a video montage, showcases the journey experience which awaits you.
Option 3: taking the Intercity trains
Journey Summary
5hr 35min - 5hr 40min (approx)
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Torino or Ventimiglia
These Intercity (IC) trains are usually scheduled to depart from Roma Termini at around 09:57 and 15:57.
These trains also call at: Roma Ostiense*, Pisa, La Spezia and Genova Brignole
*The alternative Frecciabianca trains from Rome to Genoa do not call at Roma Ostiense.
If you're heading to Genoa/Genova city centre, the quickest option will be to leave this train at Genova Brignole - and then transfer to the Genoa Metro for a one station hop on to De Ferrari station in the heart of the city.
2 x trains per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 3 months ahead of the travel date
These trains are usually scheduled to depart from Roma Termini station at around 09:57 and 15:57
Seat reservations are complimentary and included within the ticket price.
These trains tend to be cheapest options on this route, though when looking up this journey you can easily compare the with the prices of the alternative, faster trains.
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 mind of remaining in the same seat for the entire journey, paying the optional €3 reservation fee is virtually essential.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trenitalia | from €12 approx | |
| Italia rail | from €12 approx |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
These Intercity (IC) trains take the same route as the Frecciabianca trains from Rome to Genoa.
Those trains are faster than these IC trains because they tilt, so that they can travel around the bends on this this twisting route and they also call at fewer stations.
Take food and drink with you on this journey, there are no on-board catering facilities available on Intercity trains.
These Intercity trains take the same route as the Frecciabianca trains.
Option 4: taking the Italo train
Journey Summary
5hr 4min
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Genova Brignole
This train also calls at: Genova Piazza Principe
Note that this train call as Genova Piazza Principe station before it arrives at Genova Brignole station.
This train is typically scheduled to depart daily from Roma Termini at 18:05 and arrive in Genova at 23:09.
1 x train per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 5 months ahead of the travel date
Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale around 4 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are made available around 5 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo train; and Italo does not sell tickets for the Trenitalia trains.
If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead and have no particular preference for the train that you will be taking, the price and departure times of the Frecce and Italo trains can be directly compared on with Trainline or Omio, though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.
Rail passes are not valid on the Italo trains
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Italo | * | |
| Trainline | * | |
| Omio | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
This train will race up the high speed from Roma to Milano (it is non-stop between Roma and Milano Rogoredo), it will then reverse direction on departure from Milano Centrale station and the use the conventional railway to travel on to Genova.
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