A dreamy “Dolce Vita” vacation without transfers or long traffic jams on the highway: Germany, Austria, and Italy will soon be even closer together by rail! Starting in the summer of 2027, state-of-the-art Frecciarossa high-speed trains will take you directly from Munich Central Station to Innsbruck, Milan, and Rome.
The new direct trains to Italy and Austria are made possible through a partnership between Deutsche Bahn (DB), Italy’s Trenitalia, and the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). As one of ten pilot projects selected by the European Commission to promote cross-border rail connections, this route sets new standards for sustainable long-distance travel in Europe. We’ve compiled all the information and details about the routes, stops, and amenities for you!
High-Speed Travel to the South: Travel Times, Routes, and Stops at a Glance
Starting in the summer of 2027, two round-trip train pairs will be available daily for your next vacation, serving the routes from Munich to Milan ( approx. 600 kilometers) and to Rome (approx. 900 kilometers). For you, that means: hop on in Munich, sit back, and arrive in the south without having to change trains! The stops along the way are also impressive, as the high-speed trains make stops at numerous popular destinations along the route.
🚂 Munich–Milan route: Stops for you in Innsbruck, Bolzano, Trento, Rovereto, Verona, and Brescia.
🚂 Munich–Rome route: Takes you through Innsbruck, Bolzano, Trento, Rovereto, Verona, Bologna, and Florence.
And the plans for the future go even further: Starting in December 2028, the routes are set to be gradually extended to Naples and, in the other direction, to Berlin. The plans for the final service will then include a total of five round trips per day.
Here’s what you can expect on board the Frecciarossa
The service will be operated by Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa (ETR 1000). The high-speed train, approximately 200 meters long, offers a total of 462 seats across its eight cars, divided into three classes: Standard/Premium, Business, and Executive. While Business Class passengers can look forward to a complimentary welcome service, Executive Class travelers enjoy catering included in the fare.
Free Wi-Fi, a dedicated onboard bistro, and an entertainment portal—which will also be available in German onboard— ensure the perfect travel experience . The first test runs for certification are already underway in Germany and Austria. So you can already look forward to traveling comfortably to Italy by direct train starting in 2027!
