By Air

Italy's domestic air network on Alitalia is one of the largest and most complete in Europe. Some 40 airports are serviced regularly from Rome, and most flights take less than an hour. Fares vary, but some discounts are available. Tickets are discounted 50% for passengers 2 to 11 years old; for passengers 12 to 22, there's a youth fare. And anyone can get a 30% reduction by taking domestic flights departing at night.

It's only worth taking a plane within Italy if you want to cover a large distance quickly: ordinary prices are quite high, pricier than even the most expensive express train.

By Sea

Italy has a total of almost 8,490 km (5,275 miles) of coastline, including the peninsula itself and all the numerous islands in the seas around the country.

There are many services linking the islands by sea to the mainland: the main links are by car ferries and hydro-foils. In addition, ships from all the countries around the Mediterranean are moored in the well-equipped Italian ports. The main Italian ports of embarkation for the large islands of Sicily and Sardinia are: Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Fiumicino, Naples and Villa San Giovanni.

The main companies operating on the the above routes are: Ferrovie dello Stato, Tirrenia Navigazioni, Grandi Traghetti, Trans Tirreno Express, Moby Lines, and Sardinia Ferries. Bookings can be made and tickets purchased at authorised travel agencies. Connections are more frequent during the summer and on holidays.

By Rail

Italy is a small, compact country. It is long and narrow, but for the most part very densely populated. This means that the most convenient mean of public transportation is not air transport, it's the trains. And Italy actually has an efficient railway system that connects all main cities and towns.

Taking the train is the best way to know Italy, the Trenitalia network covers 16,000 km (10,000 miles) with 1,000 trains running daily, linking big cities and small towns inside Italy and with all other European countries. Whatever your destination is, the train will take you there quickly and comfortably.