When heading to Milan from Verona by train, there is a choice between taking:
1: the Regional trains, they're more frequent and generally cheaper (they will be when booking last minute at the station)
However, they're also the slowest option and seats can't be reserved; though modern, smart double-decked trains are now used on most departures.
2: the express trains, which are faster and seats are assigned when booking, but the speed comes at a price because they tend to be more expensive.
Fastest of all are the Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia and the rival Italo trains; because these two services whizz down the high speed line between Brescia and Milano.
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.
1hr 50min (approx)
Daily
Mon-Friday = 16 x trains per day
Saturday = 13 x trains
Sunday = 14 x trains
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: Milano Centrale
All trains also call at: Brescia and Milano Lambrate
If your final destination is located along line M2 of the Milano Metro you will have a faster journey and an easier interchange, if you transfer to the Metro at Milano Lambrate station.
After midday the departures are hourly, but the morning service of these Regionale trains is much more sparse.
On Monday to Fridays there are no departures usually scheduled between 09:43 and 12:43 and at weekends there are no departures usually scheduled between 09:43 and 11:43
If you want to take a train journey from Verona to Milano you have a choice of four different train services:
(1)These slower Regionale trains, they will be cheaper if you are booking tickets last minute at the station.
Rail pass users can also save €10 by taking these trains.
This trains are operated by Trenord and not Trenitalia.
(2) The Frecce trains which are also operated by Trenitalia and the limited numbers of Super Economy tickets for those Frecce trains, which will be placed on sale on the Trenitalia website, will be cheaper than taking these Regionale trains.
So if those tickets haven't sold out, targeting those Frecce trains can save you time and money, hence it can pay off to plan ahead when taking this journey.
(3) Less frequent Italo trains, which match the speed of the Frecce trains and are typically cheaper than the Frecce trains.
(4) The EuroCity (EC) trains which have travelled from Switzerland, they're slower than the Frecce trains, so are typically cheaper; though what they have in common with the Frecce trains are the same online booking agents from which advance tickets can be purchased.
If you're on the left of the train (when facing the direction of travel) keep a look out after Desenzano for a fleeting, but incredible view of Lake Garda.
Book early and save: No (not on these trains)
Tickets will cost the same price if purchased at the station immediately before departure.
(The train service is operated by Trenord and not Trenitalia)
THESE Regionale Veloce trains are always cheaper than the faster Frecciarossa trains; you can save a minimum of €5.
They'll be more than €10 cheaper, if you'll be booking last minute at the station just before your journey.
Rail Pass Users should take these trains and avoid the rail pass reservation fees on the Frecce trains.
1hr 13 min (approx)
Daily
Frecce services:
Mon - Sat = 14 x trains per day
Sunday = 11 x trains
Sunday = 14 x trains
EC services:
2 x 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.
Exclusive for New Customers: Receive a 10% discount by using the code 24NOV on any purchase with a maximum total price of £100, until 28 November 2024 (11:59 pm CET). Limit one coupon per qualifying booking. Cannot be combined, transferred or exchanged.
Omio is an online ticket agency which offers tickets for rail journeys in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.
The three key advantages of using Omio are
The disadvantage of booking with Omio is that it often adds a booking fee to the final price; therefore when it does so without offering a price advantage, SMTJ doesn't tend to offer Omio as a booking option.
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: Milano Centrale or Torino P.S. or Genova
All trains also call at: Brescia
There are usually 1 - x 2 trains per hour (Frecce or EC) but there is a daily hour gap in the departures between 10:32 and 12:02
The Frecciargento trains are now used on most of the Frecce services terminating at Milano Centrale; and it is the newest type of Frecciargento trains that are used on this route.
The two daily EC trains, which will be heading on to Switzerland, usually depart at 14:32 and 17:32; and as they don't take the high speed line, they can be cheaper than the Frecce trains.
There are also three additional Frecce trains per day which call at Milano Porta Garibaldi instead of at Milano Centrale.
Though if you'll be continuing your journey on line M2 of the Milan Metro which stops at multiple locations including Cadorna you can make the connection at Porta Garibaldi; though this line also calls at Milano Centrale.
If you will heading to San Siro, you make just the the transfer at Porta Garibaldi into Metro line, M5.
If you're on the left of the train (when facing the direction of travel) keep a look out after Desenzano for a fleeting, but incredible view of Lake Garda.
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.
The express train service between Verona and Milano is provided by:
(1) these more frequent Frecce/EC trains
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.
(2) less frequent, but generally cheaper Italo trains.
Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale around 4 months in advance (usually), but the Italo train tickets are made available around 5 months ahead (usually).
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains - 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 Trainline or Omio; though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.
1hr 12min
Daily
Monday to Thursday: 6 x trains per day
Friday to Sunday: 8 x trains per day.
Exclusive for New Customers: Receive a 10% discount by using the code 24NOV on any purchase with a maximum total price of £100, until 28 November 2024 (11:59 pm CET). Limit one coupon per qualifying booking. Cannot be combined, transferred or exchanged.
Omio is an online ticket agency which offers tickets for rail journeys in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.
The three key advantages of using Omio are
The disadvantage of booking with Omio is that it often adds a booking fee to the final price; therefore when it does so without offering a price advantage, SMTJ doesn't tend to offer Omio as a booking option.
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.
Italo trains compete with the Frecce services, provided by the national rail operator, Trenitalia, on the high speed routes which link major cities in Italy.
The Italo booking site only sells tickets for journeys by its trains.
Final Destination: Milano Cle
In common with the Frecce trains, these Italo trains travel on the comparatively short high speed line between Brescia and Milano.
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open:: around 3 months ahead of the travel date
The high speed (AV) train service between Verona and Milano is provided by:
(1) these Italo trains.
(2) Frecce services operated by Trenitalia
Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale around 6 months in advance, but these Italo train tickets are usually made available around 3 to 4 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains - 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 Trainline or Omio; though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.
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