There is a fairly extensive network of bus services in Italy provided by a number of private companies. These bus services vary from small local services connecting rural communities to luxury express services between big cities.
Although the rail network may be easier to work out, the bus can often be a cheaper and faster way to get around the country.
The main coach companies in Italy include Marino Autolinee (main routes include services linking Naples with Bari, Bologna, Genoa, Milan, Padova, Parma, Turin and Venice) and Autolinee Baltour and Sena (which both operate a nationwide route network plus a number of international routes as Italy’s Eurolines franchisee). Sena offer discounted coach travel throughout Italy with many domestic routes priced from €1 if you book online in advance.
At iBus, you can search and book tickets online on several Italian coach operators including Autolinee Baltour, Marino Autolinee and Sena.
ItalyBus Card
The ItalyBus Card costs €30 and gives you 15% discount on bus and coach services operated by Sena and the Baltour Group. You really need to plan on spending at least €225 on coach travel in Italy for this to be worth your while.
Italy Pass
This coach travel pass gives you unlimited bus and coach travel on coaches operated by Sena and the Baltour Group in Italy for a fixed price.
| Validity | Season | Youth (25 years and younger) | Adult (26 years and older) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days | Low season (1 Jan–31 May & 1 Oct–19 Dec) | €89 | €109 |
| 7 days | High season (1 Jun–30 Sep & 20–31 Dec) | €105 | €125 |
| 15 days | Low season (1 Jan–31 May & 1 Oct–19 Dec) | €99 | €119 |
| 15 days | High season (1 Jun–30 Sep & 20–31 Dec) | €115 | €135 |
| 30 days | Low season (1 Jan–31 May & 1 Oct–19 Dec) | €159 | €179 |
| 30 days | High season (1 Jun–30 Sep & 20–31 Dec) | €175 | €195 |
This pass is good for travel within a period of consecutive travel days (as opposed to a flexi pass that gives you a set number of travel days within a longer period).
You cannot use the Italy Pass to make more than two trips on the same route (between the same two cities). In other words you can’t use it for a daily commute between Milan and Turin.
International bus and coach services
The Eurolines Pass includes travel to the following cities: Florence, Milan, Rome and Venice.
Busabout buses serve the following Italian destinations: Ancona, Florence, La Spezia (Cinque Terre), Lake Como, Milan, Rome, Siena and Venice.