A trip to Italy is set to become significantly more comfortable and sustainable. Starting in December 2028, a direct night train will carry travelers overnight from Berlin to some of Italy's most popular cities: Milan, Florence, Rome, and Naples. The new route will be operated jointly by the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), Deutsche Bahn (DB), and Trenitalia, three heavyweights of European rail travel.
First step from 2026: Munich to Milan and Rome
As early as late 2026, the expansion begins with a direct high-speed connection between Munich and Milan as well as Rome. Along the way, trains will stop in Innsbruck, Bolzano, Verona, Bologna, and Florence, among other cities. The planned travel time between Munich and Milan is around six and a half hours; to Rome, it is approximately eight and a half hours, making it a genuine alternative to a short-haul flight.
Berlin added to the network in 2028
Two years later, the route will be extended northward: the night train will then also depart from Berlin. The Italian high-speed trains of the Frecciarossa 1000series, capable of traveling at up to 300 km/h, are expected to serve this connection as well. This means travelers will be able to pack their bags in Berlin in the evening and wake up the next morning at Stazione Termini in Rome or right in the heart of historic Florence.
A tunnel picks up the pace: the Brenner Base Tunnel
In addition to the new connection, the underlying infrastructure is also set to get faster. The Brenner Base Tunnel, scheduled for completion in 2032, will cut travel time across the Alps by another roughly 30 minutes. This could bring the Berlin to Rome journey to under 13 hours, entirely by train, with no transfers, low emissions, and a relaxed travel experience.
Environmentally friendly and conceived on a European scale
The new night train connections are part of a comprehensive European rail strategy. The goal is to inspire more people to choose cross-border rail travel and to reduce CO₂-intensive air traffic. On routes between 600 and 1,500 kilometers in particular, the night train is considered the ideal solution: comfortable, efficient, and environmentally friendly. The cooperation between DB, ÖBB, and Trenitalia is therefore also welcomed at the political level. The Federal Ministry of Transport has indicated that it views the expansion of international rail connections as an important step toward a European mobility transition. The night train networkis already growing: alongside Vienna, Zurich, Paris, and Stockholm , Rome, Milan, and Naples are now bringing additional major European metropolises within direct overnight reach.
A travel experience instead of traffic jams or security lines
Beyond the environmental arguments, comfort is another strong case for the night train: modern sleeping compartments, Wi-Fi, onboard service, and above all, relaxed travel with no transfers or long airport wait times. For city travelers, families, and business travelers in particular, the new night train from Berlin to Italy could prove to be a real alternative. Related article:New night train to Milan: Direct from Cologne to northern Italy