Trenitalia is the primary operator of trains within Italy. Trenitalia is owned by Ferrovie dello Stato, itself owned by the Italian Government. It was created in 2000 following the EU directive on the deregulation of rail transport. Ferrovie dello Stato became an holding company which controls Trenitalia (trains), Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (tracks), etc.

Trenitalia offers transport around Italy (including service in Sicily and Sardinia, the ferries from mainland to the two islands are operated by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana), and also connects to Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland. The company operates the ETR 500 high-speed train, and is also a partner in the Cisalpino Italy - Germany - Switzerland link.

It operates the Eurostar Italia trains, which operate Pendolino intercity trains, operating regularly between the major cities with Roma Termini acting as the hub of the operation. There are also "normal" intercity trains, which operate between the smaller cities, as well as serving the larger city. They also operate the night trains between Rome and Milan as well as between Milan and Naples or Venice. Trenitalia also operate the regional and certain aspects of the international operations.

Furthermore it holds a 51% stake in TX Logistik AG, the biggest private German freight company (which also operates in Austria, Switzerland and Sweden).