Italy by Train: Milan, Venice, Florence & Rome — Self-Launched 9-Day Adventure
9 days · Italy
STM Tours LLC charges £1,790
No-markup version: ~£668 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Self-launched version of the classic Milan-to-Rome rail tour threading four of Italy's most iconic cities together by high-speed and regional trains. Explore Milan's Duomo and La Scala, glide across the Venetian Lagoon to the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello, wander Renaissance Florence, lean toward Pisa's famous tower, and finish with the ancient wonders of Rome's Colosseum and Roman Forum — all on your own schedule for a fraction of the packaged price.
Day-by-day
Arrival in Milan
Milan
Fly into Milan (Malpensa or Linate airport) and take the Malpensa Express train or bus into the city centre (~€13). Check into a budget hotel or hostel near Milano Centrale station. Spend the afternoon orienting yourself around the station district and grab a classic Italian dinner nearby.
🚌Airport train/bus from Malpensa/Linate to Milan centre, ~£11
🛏Ostello Bello Grande or similar central hostel, ~£30 p/n
- →Self-check-in and orientation in Milan
Exploring Milan's Icons
Milan
Make your own bespoke tour of Milan's highlights. Book a Duomo rooftop skip-the-line ticket with the official Duomo pass (~€20) and climb to the terraces. Visit the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, La Scala opera house, and the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio. In the afternoon, self-book a Hop-on Hop-off bus ticket for a city overview, or simply explore the city's trams for €2.20 a ride. Optional stop to view Leonardo's Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie (book well in advance).
🚌Metro/tram tickets in Milan, ~£6
🛏Same central hostel/hotel in Milan
- →Duomo rooftop & cathedral entrance (~£17)
- →Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II & La Scala exterior
- →Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio
- →Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie (optional, book ahead)
- →City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus (optional)
High-Speed Train to Venice
Milan to Venice Mestre
Take the direct Trenitalia high-speed train (Frecciarossa or Italo) from Milano Centrale to Venezia Mestre station (roughly 2h30m, from ~€25 if booked ahead). Check into a budget hotel or hostel near Mestre station. Take the short bus/train into Venice proper for a first evening wander around St Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge as the day-trippers thin out.
🚌Trenitalia Frecciarossa/Italo Milan to Venezia Mestre, ~£25
🛏Budget hotel/hostel near Venezia Mestre station, ~£35 p/n
- →First evening walking tour of Venice: St Mark's Square & Rialto Bridge
Murano, Burano & Torcello by Public Vaporetto
Venice
Skip the private boat tour and explore the lagoon islands independently using the ACTV vaporetto (water bus) network. From Piazzale Roma or Santa Lucia, take Line 3 to Murano for a free glass-blowing demonstration in one of the island's workshops. Then catch a vaporetto to Burano to photograph the colourful fisherman houses, and finally hop across to quiet Torcello with its ancient basilica. A day travel pass (~€25) covers unlimited vaporetto rides. Evening back in Venice for dinner in Cannaregio or Dorsoduro away from the crowds.
🚌ACTV 24-hour vaporetto pass, ~£22
🛏Same hotel/hostel near Venezia Mestre
- →Murano glass-blowing demonstration (free in workshops)
- →Stroll colourful Burano
- →Torcello Basilica visit
- →Venetian dinner in Cannaregio
Train to Florence
Venice Mestre to Florence
Board a direct Trenitalia or Italo train from Venezia Mestre to Firenze Santa Maria Novella (about 2h15m, from ~€25 booked in advance). Check into a hostel or guesthouse near the station. Spend the afternoon on a self-guided walking tour crossing the Ponte Vecchio, visiting Piazza della Signoria and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with its famous Brunelleschi Dome (outside view free; climb ~€30 combined ticket).
🚌Trenitalia/Italo Venice-Mestre to Florence, ~£25
🛏Plus Florence or similar central hostel/townhouse, ~£32 p/n
- →Ponte Vecchio
- →Piazza della Signoria & Palazzo Vecchio exterior
- →Duomo di Firenze exterior & Giotto's Campanile
- →Explore Oltrarno artisan quarter
Day Trip to Pisa
Pisa
Take the regional train from Florence to Pisa Centrale (about 1h10m, ~£9 return). Walk from the station through the historic centre to the Piazza dei Miracoli to see the Leaning Tower. Book a timed climb ticket online in advance (~€18) and combine it with the Cathedral. Explore the Campo Santo and Knights' Square at your own pace before catching an afternoon regional train back to Florence and an evening gelato by the Arno.
🚌Regional train Florence–Pisa return, ~£9
🛏Same Florence hostel/hotel
- →Leaning Tower of Pisa climb (book online ahead)
- →Piazza dei Miracoli & Cathedral
- →Piazza dei Cavalieri
- →Church of San Sisto
High-Speed Train to Rome
Florence to Rome
Take a direct high-speed train (Frecciarossa or Italo) from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Roma Termini (about 1h30m, from ~£25 booked first). Check into a hostel or budget hotel near Termini station. Spend the afternoon at the Trevi Fountain (toss a coin!), the Pantheon and Piazza Navona before dinner in Trastevere. Book your Colosseum/Forum tickets for tomorrow online now to skip queues.
🚌Trenitalia Frecciarossa/Italo Florence to Rome, ~£25
🛏The Yellow Hostel or similar near Roma Termini, ~£30 p/n
- →Trevi Fountain
- →The Pantheon
- →Piazza Navona & Bernini's fountains
- →Trastevere evening dining
Ancient Rome: Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill
Rome
Self-book a fast-track entrance ticket to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill online (combined ticket ~€22, or upgrade for a guided tour / Underground Arena access). Arrive early to beat crowds. Spend several hours exploring the ancient heart of Rome. In the afternoon, optionally continue to the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument and Circus Maximus, or pre-book a Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel skip-the-line ticket for another day.
🚌Metro/walking in Rome, ~£5
🛏Same hostel near Roma Termini
- →Colosseum fast-track entrance & self-guided audio tour
- →Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
- →Vittorio Emanuele II Monument
- →Circus Maximus
- →Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel (optional add-on)
Departure from Rome
Rome
Depending on your flight time, grab a final Roman breakfast of cornetto and cappuccino. Take the Leonardo Express train from Roma Termini to Fiumicino Airport (32 minutes, ~€14) or hop on the regional FL1 to Ciampino. Alternatively use the public bus or a shared shuttle for a cheaper airport transfer option.
🚌Leonardo Express or bus Roma Termini → Fiumicino/Ciampino, ~£12
🛏None (departure day)
- →Last-minute souvenir picking and departure
Self-launched vs. STM Tours LLC
| This itinerary (self-launched) | STM Tours LLC | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£668 | £1,790 |
| Duration | 9 days | 9 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,122 per person (63%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more STM Tours LLC-style trips? Check them out here.~£668
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Italy by Train: Milan, Venice, Florence & Rome — Self-Launched 9-Day Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £668 per person for 9 days in Italy. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with STM Tours LLC?+
Yes — STM Tours LLC charges around £1,790 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £668 — a saving of roughly £1,122 (63%) per person.
How long is the Italy trip?+
This itinerary runs 9 days, covering 9 day-by-day stops through Italy.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a city-breaks, culture, foodie trip through Italy, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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