Traveling between Italy and Germany by train is about to become much faster and more convenient. Italy's high-speed Frecciarossa trains have started test runs in Germany and Austria to prepare for direct routes connecting Milan and Rome to Munich.
The new direct rail service is expected to officially open to passengers in the summer of 2027. Italy's state railway company, Ferrovie dello Stato (FS), is working together with Germany's Deutsche Bahn and Austria's ÖBB to make the international route possible.
During the current testing phase, engineers are checking that the trains can operate smoothly with local power systems and signals in Germany and Austria. Train drivers in both countries are also taking part in special training programs for the Italian high-speed trains.
When the service begins, the trip from Milan to Munich will take about six and a half hours, stopping at key cities including Brescia, Verona, Trento, Bolzano, and Innsbruck. The longer journey from Rome to Munich will take about eight and a half hours.
By December 2028, the opening of the Brenner Base Tunnel will reduce travel times by about an hour. FS plans to run ten daily connections between Italy and Germany, with future plans to extend routes to Naples and Berlin. Transport officials hope these seamless train links will give travelers a comfortable, eco-friendly alternative to flying across Europe.