Rome, Milan, and Munich to Be Connected by High-Speed Trains: Route and Launch Date

European rail operators are preparing new direct routes between Italy and Germany via Austria. Passengers will be able to travel between major cities without changing trains, and there are plans to eventually extend the network to Berlin and Naples. Learn more about launch dates, stops, and travel times

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Direct Frecciarossa 1000 trains between Rome, Milan, and Munich are scheduled to begin service by the summer of 2027. The new daytime services will travel through Austria and reduce the number of transfers when traveling between the three countries. The Rome–Munich route will take about 8 hours and 30 minutes, and the trip from Milan to the Bavarian capital will take approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes.

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When will direct trains between Italy and Germany begin operating?

Commercial Frecciarossa 1000 services between Rome, Milan, and Munich are scheduled to launch in the summer of 2027. The trains were originally expected to begin operating in December 2026. However, the launch was postponed due to the lengthy testing and certification process for the rolling stock in Germany and Austria.

The project is being jointly implemented by Italy’s Trenitalia, Germany’s Deutsche Bahn, and Austria’s ÖBB. As part of the preparations, the Frecciarossa 1000 is undergoing technical tests on German and Austrian tracks. Experts are checking the operation of the brakes, pantographs, and control systems, as well as compatibility with the local railway infrastructure.

In total, the testing program is expected to last approximately 300 days. For international service, the nine trains must be equipped with systems compatible with the signaling and safety standards of all three countries. At the same time, Trenitalia and Deutsche Bahn will train train operators and exchange technical information.

Passenger service will begin after certification is successfully completed. In the first phase, the plan is to launch four direct services on the Milan–Munich and Rome–Munich routes. The operators have not yet released the final schedule, fares, or the exact date of the first trip.

In a previous article, we discussed 10 routes across Europe where rail travel is faster than air travel.

The Rome–Munich Train Route

The direct daytime train will cover the distance between Rome and Munich in approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes. This is about 45 minutes faster than current daytime travel options, which typically involve at least one transfer.

The planned route will pass through three countries:

- Rome

- Florence

- Bologna

- Verona

- Rovereto

- Trento

- Bolzano

- Innsbruck

- Munich

After Verona, the train will head north through the Adige Valley, Trento, and South Tyrol. It will then cross the Alps via the Brenner Corridor, stop in Innsbruck, Austria, and continue on to Munich.

The main advantage of the new service is not just the time savings.

Passengers won’t have to transfer their luggage between trains or risk missing a connection due to a delay on the first leg. A single route will also simplify travel planning and ticket booking.

Stops in Florence, Bologna, Verona, and Innsbruck will make the route useful not only for travel between the terminal stations. It can be used for travel between major tourist destinations in Italy, Austria, and southern Germany. However, the exact departure times and the duration of stops will only be known after the final schedule is published.

Learn more about the 4 most beautiful train routes in 2026 by following the link.

How will the Milan–Munich train run?

The second direct route will connect Milan with Munich via northern Italy and Austria. The estimated travel time will be 6 hours and 30 minutes. Compared to current options involving transfers, the journey could be shortened by approximately 75 minutes.

The train will stop in the following cities:

- Milan

- Brescia

- Verona

- Rovereto

- Trento

- Bolzano

- Innsbruck

- Munich

The route will partially overlap with the Rome–Munich line. From Verona, both trains will travel through Trentino-Alto Adige, the Brenner Pass, and Innsbruck.

The new service will be convenient not only for travel between Milan and Munich. Passengers will be able to travel without transfers from Brescia, Verona, Trento, and Bolzano to the Bavarian capital. Innsbruck will become an important hub for onward travel through Austria and to other destinations in Central Europe.

The service will run during the day, so it will not replace night trains but will supplement the available options. Its main advantage is a direct connection between city centers without having to travel to airports or rely on short train transfers. The operators will announce the final frequency and departure times closer to the launch.

We previously reported that direct trains are running again between Finland and Sweden.

What is known about the Frecciarossa 1000 trains?

The new routes will be served by Italian Frecciarossa 1000 electric trains, also known as ETR 1000. In Italy, they operate at speeds of up to 300 km/h. However, on the international route, the speed will depend on the characteristics of each section, so the train will not travel at maximum speed for the entire journey.

The Frecciarossa 1000 was designed to operate on various European rail networks. The international versions are designed to support multiple power supply, signaling, and traffic control systems. Compatibility with German and Austrian technical standards is currently being tested during trial runs.

Frecciarossa passenger trains in Italy are equipped with air conditioning, power outlets, Wi-Fi, luggage storage, and areas for people with limited mobility. On domestic routes, Trenitalia offers several classes of service. However, the car configuration, range of services, and classes for trips to Munich have not yet been confirmed.

The model is suitable for long international routes thanks to its distributed traction. The motors are located under several cars, which allows for more efficient use of passenger space and faster acceleration.

Before commercial operation begins, the trains must obtain the necessary permits in Italy, Austria, and Germany. Therefore, the current tests are evaluating not only speed but also braking, operation under different voltages, interaction with signaling systems, and safe operation on cross-border sections.

We previously reported that Eurostar will connect London and Antwerp with direct trains in December 2026.

Which routes are planned to launch in 2028?

The second phase of the network expansion is scheduled for December 2028. The number of connections between Italy, Austria, and Germany is set to increase to ten. Routes via Milan, Rome, and Munich are planned to be extended south to Naples and north to Berlin.

If the project is implemented according to the current plan, passengers will have access to a longer rail corridor stretching from southern Italy to northern Germany. It will connect Naples, Rome, Florence, Bologna, Verona, Innsbruck, Munich, and Berlin. However, the final stops for each train have not yet been announced.

FS Group also lists Frankfurt and Kraków among the destinations for which the new network could support demand. This does not mean that direct Frecciarossa services to these cities have already been approved. For now, the discussion centers on possible connections or further route expansion.

The expansion of service will continue beyond 2028. The Brenner Base Tunnel is expected to open in late 2032. The new 55-kilometer railway section under the Alps is expected to reduce travel time between Italy and Germany by approximately one more hour.

Until the tunnel is completed, Frecciarossa trains will run on the existing mountain route through the Brenner Pass. Therefore, the first services will address the issue of transfers, but the full potential of the new international corridor will only be realized after the infrastructure is modernized.

We previously explained how train tickets work in Europe: the differences between the Global Pass and the One Country Pass, how much they cost, and when you need to reserve a seat separately.

When will tickets and the exact schedule be available?

Ticket sales for the Rome–Munich and Milan–Munich routes have not yet opened. Operators have also not announced the exact date of the first trip, departure times, the final number of daily trains, or fares.

This information is expected to be released after technical testing is completed and operating permits for the Frecciarossa 1000 are obtained in Germany and Austria. Until then, the announced routes and travel times remain preliminary.

Check for updates on the official websites:

- Trenitalia

- Deutsche Bahn

- ÖBB

When booking, don’t just focus on the price. It’s important to check the refund policy, the option to change the date, baggage rules, and the type of through ticket. In the event of a delay, the terms of the contract will determine how a passenger can continue their journey or receive compensation.

Operators have not yet announced whether all Italian Frecciarossa classes and Trenitalia’s domestic promotional fares will be available on the new routes. It is also unclear at this time whether special offers for children, young people, families, and rail pass holders will be available.

It is too early to plan a trip for the summer of 2027 based solely on this preliminary announcement. You should not purchase accommodations or other non-refundable services until a confirmed schedule is available. The launch date depends on the results of the certification process, so it may still be subject to change.

No matter how well thought-out your itinerary is, there is always room for force majeure when traveling. Unexpected medical expenses, transportation delays, or problems with luggage can ruin your plans and budget. Travel insurance helps you avoid unnecessary worries in such situations. You can apply for a travel insurance policy for a specific trip online at Visit World - quickly and without unnecessary bureaucracy!

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We remind you! Popular European tourist destinations are becoming increasingly crowded, so travelers are looking for alternatives without the crowds. In 2026, attention is turning to countries that remain off the beaten path but offer unique experiences, affordable prices, and an authentic atmosphere. Read more about 5 European countries that are rarely visited by tourists.

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