Frecciarossa: Italy’s High-Speed Rail Expands Across Europe
The Frecciarossa, Italian for “red arrow,” is rapidly becoming a significant player in the European high-speed rail network. Originally focused on domestic routes within Italy, Trenitalia’s flagship service is now challenging established operators like SNCF’s TGV with routes extending into France.
Expansion Beyond Italy
In 2020, following the liberalization of French train lines, Trenitalia seized the opportunity to expand its high-speed services beyond Italy. The company launched a Milan-Paris route in 2021, followed by additional connections, including Paris-Lyon.
In June 2025, the first Frecciarossa service commenced on the Paris-Marseille route, directly competing with the TGV inOui on this key French corridor.
Speed and Travel Time
The Frecciarossa operates at a maximum speed of 300 km/h (approximately 186 mph) on the Paris-Marseille route. While slightly slower than the TGV’s 320 km/h, the Frecciarossa’s scheduled journey time of three hours and 21 minutes is only 15 minutes longer than the TGV inOui service on the same route.
Classes of Service and Pricing
Frecciarossa offers three classes of service – standard, business, and executive – providing passengers with more options than the two classes offered by TGV inOui. Business class fares are approximately 10-20% cheaper than comparable fares on TGV inOui.
Domestic Network
Within Italy, Frecciarossa trains reach speeds of up to 250 mph (400 km/h) and operate more than 120 daily connections between major cities. There are 28 non-stop trains daily between Milan and Rome, completing the journey in under three hours. Milan to Naples is served by 36 daily Frecciarossa trains, taking just over four hours.
Booking and Information
Tickets for Frecciarossa trains can be purchased directly from Trenitalia or through third-party platforms like Trainline.
Passengers can find assistance at station customer service desks and mobile service desks near platforms. Overhead displays on platforms indicate the stopping position for each car.