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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 a choice of three different rail services when taking a train from Rome/Roma to Genoa/Genova.
1: The early morning Frecciargento train races up the high speed line to Firenze and then joins the 'classic' coastal route near Pisa.
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.
There are no Italo trains between Rome and Genoa.
Something else that's good to know is that the 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 20min
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.
This train, which is usually scheduled to depart from Roma Termini at 06:05 is the fastest train of the day from Rome to Genoa.
It is primarily aimed at business travellers, hence its early departure time, but if you need, or would rather be in Genoa before 10:30, this is the train you'll need to take.
This train takes a different route to the other trains between Roma and Genova.
It is the only the train between the two cities which heads north on the high speed line between Roma and Firenze.
1 x train per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 4 months ahead of the travel date
Seat reservations are complimentary and included within the ticket price.
This fastest train of the day from Rome to Genoa is usually scheduled to depart from Roma Termini at 06:05 and it tends to be the most expensive option.
Though when looking up this journey you can easily compare it with the prices of the alternative slower Frecciabianca and Intercity trains.
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](/train-ticket-guides/using-rail-passes-in-and-to-from-italy/ by taking an Intercity train from Rome to Genoa.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trenitalia | from €19.90 | |
| Italiarail | from €19.90 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
Except on Saturdays there is also an evening Frecce train to Genoa/Genoa, but it departs from Roma Tiburtina station at 20:35, it does not call at Roma Termini.
It's primary role is to transport travellers from the airport to the cruise terminals in Genova, so it commences its journey from the station at Roma Fiumicino airport at 19:53.
This train takes a different route to the other trains between Roma and Genova.
It is the only the train between the two cities which heads north on the high speed line between Roma and Firenze.
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 open: 4 months ahead of the travel date
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.
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 | |
| Italiarail | from €19.90 | |
| SaveATrain | 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, but to see them you need to be sat on the right when boarding at Roma Termini; on departure the train will head south and then loop around the city in a semi-circle before heading north.
So if you're in luck, your assigned seat(s) will be on that side of the train.
However, 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 | |
| Italiarail | 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 quicker; and they also call at fewer stations.
OR if you need or want to be in Genoa before 10:30 you can take a faster Frecciargento train.
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.
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