Leonardo Express vs Intercity in Italy: What is the difference and which train should you take?

Italy has an extensive railway network, but not every train is designed for the same type of journey.

If you’re travelling around Italy, you may come across names such as Leonardo Express and Intercity when searching for train tickets. While both are useful for travellers, they serve very different purposes.

Understanding the difference can make it much easier to choose the right train for your itinerary.

Quick answer: Leonardo Express vs Intercity

The simplest way to understand the difference is this:

• Leonardo Express: designed specifically to connect Rome Fiumicino Airport and Roma Termini.
• Intercity: designed for journeys between cities and regions across Italy, including routes that connect destinations beyond the main high-speed network.

In other words, if you’re travelling from Fiumicino Airport to central Rome, Leonardo Express is the dedicated airport connection.

If you’re travelling between Italian cities, Intercity may be one of the options worth comparing.

What is the Leonardo Express?

The Leonardo Express is a dedicated airport train connecting Rome Fiumicino Airport and Roma Termini, Rome’s main railway station.

It is particularly useful for international visitors arriving in Rome and looking for a straightforward way to reach the city centre.

Instead of arranging a private transfer or navigating road traffic, you can travel directly between the airport and the central railway station.

Why choose the Leonardo Express?

The Leonardo Express is particularly convenient if:

• You’re arriving at Fiumicino Airport.
• You’re staying in central Rome.
• You want a direct connection to Roma Termini.
• You are continuing your journey by train from Termini.
• You prefer avoiding road traffic.

For travellers arriving in Italy by air, it can also be the first step of a longer rail itinerary.

For example:

Fiumicino Airport → Rome → Florence → Venice

This makes the airport connection part of a wider Italian train journey.

What is an Intercity train in Italy?

Unlike the Leonardo Express, Intercity trains connect different Italian cities and regions.

They can be particularly useful when travelling between destinations that aren’t necessarily connected by the country’s fastest high-speed services.

Depending on the route, Intercity services can connect cities across different parts of Italy.

This makes them a useful option for travellers who want to explore beyond the classic high-speed routes.

Leonardo Express vs Intercity: which one should you choose?

The answer depends almost entirely on your route.

Choose Leonardo Express if:

• You’re travelling between Fiumicino Airport and central Rome.
• You want a dedicated airport connection.
• Your priority is getting between the airport and Roma Termini.

Consider Intercity if:

• You’re travelling between Italian cities.
• Your route isn’t served by a convenient high-speed service.
• You want to explore destinations beyond the main high-speed network.
• You are comparing different travel times and fares.

These trains shouldn’t really be seen as direct competitors.

They are designed for different types of journeys.

What if you’re travelling between Italy’s major cities?

If you’re travelling between major destinations such as:

Rome → Florence

Rome → Milan

Milan → Venice

Rome → Naples

you’ll likely want to compare high-speed services as well as other available options. This is where understanding Italy’s different train categories becomes important.

Not sure how Regionale, Frecciarossa and Italo differ? Our complete guide explains the main types of trains in Italy and helps you understand which option may work best for your journey.

Can you combine Leonardo Express with other trains?

Yes, and this is one of the most useful things to understand when planning a trip to Italy.

Imagine you’re flying into Rome and then continuing to another city.

Your journey could look like:

Fiumicino Airport → Roma Termini → Florence

The first part of the journey gets you from the airport into central Rome.

From Termini, you can then continue your Italian adventure by choosing the train that best fits your next destination.

This is particularly useful for travellers who don’t want to rent a car after arriving in Italy.

Is Rome Termini important for train travellers?

Absolutely.

Roma Termini is one of the most important railway hubs in Rome and can be particularly useful when you’re combining airport transport with an intercity or high-speed journey.

For first-time visitors, understanding where your journey starts and ends is just as important as looking at the travel time.

Before booking, check:

• Your departure station.
• Your arrival station.
• Whether you need to change trains.
• How much time you have between connections.
• Whether your itinerary starts at the airport or in central Rome.

A few minutes spent checking these details can make a multi-train itinerary much easier.

Should you book your Italian train tickets in advance?

If you already know your travel dates, planning ahead can be useful, particularly for popular high-speed routes.

Prices and availability may vary according to:

• Travel date.
• Departure time.
• Demand.
• Train type.
• Ticket conditions.

If you’re travelling during summer or another busy period, booking earlier can also give you more choice.

Wondering whether it’s worth buying your tickets before arriving in Italy? Our guide explains how advance booking can affect your options and why planning ahead can be useful.

Don’t choose a train based only on price

When comparing Italian train journeys, the cheapest option isn’t necessarily the most convenient.

Consider the complete journey:

• How long does it take?
• Is it direct?
• Where does it depart?
• Where does it arrive?
• Do you need to change trains?
• What are the ticket conditions?
• Does the departure time fit your itinerary?

For an airport transfer, convenience may be more important than saving a small amount.

For a longer intercity journey, travel time and flexibility may become more important.

Plan your Italian train journey with ItaliaTren

Once you understand what each type of train is designed for, the next step is comparing the options available for your journey.

ItaliaTren provides travellers with a centralised way to explore train connections across Italy, making it easier to compare routes and organise journeys between different destinations.

Whether you’re starting your trip at Fiumicino Airport, travelling between major Italian cities, or building a longer itinerary, comparing the available connections can make planning much simpler.

Final thoughts

Leonardo Express and Intercity aren’t competing alternatives for exactly the same journey.

The Leonardo Express is particularly useful for getting between Fiumicino Airport and central Rome, while Intercity trains are designed to connect cities and regions across Italy.

Once you understand the role of each service, planning your Italian rail journey becomes much easier.

And if you’re combining several destinations, don’t forget that Italy’s railway network gives you the flexibility to mix airport connections, high-speed services, Intercity trains and regional routes depending on your itinerary.

Ready to explore Italy by train? Compare routes and connections with ItaliaTren and find the journey that fits your plans.

Photos taken in: tiquets.com