London to Rome by Rail

You’ll see some of the grandest cities in Italy on this tour: Venice, Florence and Rome. Trains will get you from the UK down to Italy, following a route via Paris and the dramatic Swiss-Italian Alps.

At a glance

  • 10-day suggested rail itinerary
  • Root out Renaissance art in Florence
  • Round off the trip in Rome
  • Sail down the Venetian canals
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Suggested Trip Itinerary

Day 1 : London - Zurich

eurostar train hs1 hs2 Essex UK

A Eurostar train will zip you from London to Paris Gare du Nord.  From there, it’s a short hop to Gare de Lyon, where your journey south begins. It’s a TGV Lyria train – a high-speed route that whisks you over the Swiss border to the riverside city of Zurich, where you’ll spend the night.

Day 2 : Zurich - Venice

Beautiful view of the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy

Catch a train south through the mountainous Alps. You’ll fetch up against one of the most famous backdrops in the world – the canals and bridges of Venice. Seek out a backstreet bacari (wine bar) for a glass of Soave or locally produced Prosecco. 

Where you could stay
Hotel Bel Sito
Italian Cities, Venice

  • Short walk from St. Mark's Square and the Grand Canal
  • Great value for money
Savoia Jolanda
Italian Cities, Venice

  • Beautiful waterfront location overlooking the Venetian lagoon
  • Within walking distance of the Bridge of Sighs and St Mark's Square
Londra Palace Venezia
Italian Cities, Venice

  • Stunning location overlooking the lagoon
  • Ideal base for exploring the city's main attractions 
  • Favourite with Citalia guests
  • Boutique hotel offering excellent service
Day 3 : Venice

Burano island canal, colorful houses and boats, Venice Italy Europe

You’ve got a full day to explore Venice today. The city is like nowhere else – the 16th-century Rialto Bridge hides away restaurants and shops, Venetian masks glitter in the backstreet workshops, and palatial art galleries tuck into the curves of the Grand Canal. 
Go on a gondola ride down the canals or gaze up at the palaces and bell towers in St. Mark’s Square. The islands out in Venice’s lagoon are also worth visiting: Murano is home to glass-blowing workshops; Burano boasts colourful fishermen’s houses; and Torcello houses a peaceful cathedral.

Points of interest:
Where you could stay
Hotel Bel Sito
Italian Cities, Venice

  • Short walk from St. Mark's Square and the Grand Canal
  • Great value for money
Londra Palace Venezia
Italian Cities, Venice

  • Stunning location overlooking the lagoon
  • Ideal base for exploring the city's main attractions 
  • Favourite with Citalia guests
  • Boutique hotel offering excellent service
Savoia Jolanda
Italian Cities, Venice

  • Beautiful waterfront location overlooking the Venetian lagoon
  • Within walking distance of the Bridge of Sighs and St Mark's Square
Day 4 : Venice - Florence

Santa Maria Novella in pink flowers in a summer day. Florence, Italy

It’s only a few hours’ rail journey from Venice to Florence. Check in to your chosen hotel in Florence – the city of the Italian Renaissance – then head out into the cobbled streets to explore.

Points of interest:
Where you could stay
Hotel Porta Faenza
Italian Cities, Florence

  • Situated only 700 metres from the train station in the centre of ancient Florence
  • Great value for money
Grand Hotel Baglioni
Italian Cities, Florence

  • A historic hotel with elegant details
  • Located in the historic heart of Florence
Brunelleschi Hotel
Italian Cities, Florence

  • Centrally located in the heart of Florence and moments away from Piazza Duomo
  • A five minute walk to historic sites, museums and shopping areas
Day 5-6 : Florence

Beautiful cityscape skyline of Firenze (Florence), Italy, with the bridges over the river Arno

You’ve got two days to see the sights of Florence, the photogenic capital of Tuscany. Climb the Duomo’s dome or campanile for the best views over the terracotta rooftops, and browse everything from Renaissance masterpieces to Modernist sculptures in the art galleries.

For a change of scene, head to the grottos and fountains of the Boboli Gardens, which hide behind the grand Pitti Palace. 

Points of interest:
Where you could stay
Hotel Porta Faenza
Italian Cities, Florence

  • Situated only 700 metres from the train station in the centre of ancient Florence
  • Great value for money
Grand Hotel Baglioni
Italian Cities, Florence

  • A historic hotel with elegant details
  • Located in the historic heart of Florence
Brunelleschi Hotel
Italian Cities, Florence

  • Centrally located in the heart of Florence and moments away from Piazza Duomo
  • A five minute walk to historic sites, museums and shopping areas
Day 7 : Florence - Rome

Rome-2021-City-View-001-000940-edit

Have a leisurely breakfast before heading to the train station, where you’ll board a direct train to Rome. For your first meal in the city, try a local favourite like spaghetti carbonara or crunchy fried artichokes.

Where you could stay
Hotel Piccadilly
Italian Cities, Rome

  • Quieter located and comfortable guest rooms
  • Easy access to public transport for exploring Rome
Starhotels Metropole
Italian Cities, Rome

  • Located in the heart of Rome, just minutes from Roma Termini station
  • A 20 minute walk from major historic sites, including the Colosseum
Baglioni Hotel Regina
Italian Cities, Rome

  • Situated on Via Veneto near Rome's key attractions
  • Stylish guest rooms and excellent hospitality
Day 8-10 : Rome

Aerial view of the large urban square, the Piazza del Popolo, Rome at sunset with the fiery orb of the sun dropping below the horizon above the rooftops of the historical buildings

Two days in Rome leaves you plenty of time to explore the ancient streets of the Italian capital. The Roman Forum and Colosseum are must-sees, and the Vatican City is home to the spectacular Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. 
Elsewhere, the Villa Borghese Gardens hide away a villa museum, an animal park, a cinema and rambling paths. You’ll fly home on day 10 – opt for a late afternoon or evening flight to give you maximum time to enjoy the Eternal City. 
 

10 days from £2,079 per person

Price shown includes Eurostar from London to Paris, a one way flight to London, accommodation in each destination for the duration specified and transfers, trains and/or car hire as required. The price shown represents a from price per person based on two people sharing in low season travel unless otherwise stated. Price is subject to availability, Eurostar and flight seats change continually, affecting the final price. The lead-in price shown is for guidance only. To obtain a tailored quote specific for your requirements, please contact one of our Italy Experts.

Practical Information

 

Flight Information

Direct flights to Venice Marco Polo airport (VCE) are available from Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and Southend and take approximately 2 hours. Transfers from the airport are by water taxi or water bus and take approximately 40 minutes to reach the centre of Venice.

Direct flights to Venice Treviso airport (TSF) depart from London Stansted, Leeds Bradford, Bristol and East Midlands and take approximately 2 hours.

Visa Information

At the current time, British citizens do not require a visa to visit Italy.

Tipping

You don’t have to leave a tip in Italy – most Italians don’t tip for restaurant meals, bar drinks, taxi rides or hair and beauty treatments. However if you do leave a tip, you might receive quicker service.

Details

Based on 2 adults sharing. Travelling October 2023.

Quote reference number: 53079994

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