Italy's Christmas Night Train to Munich Returns in 2026

Quick Facts: Espresso Monaco Christmas Train 2026

• Two weekends confirmed for 2026: November 27–29 and December 4–6, with Friday departures and Sunday returns.

• Dates shifted earlier than 2025's schedule, which ran December 5–7 and 12–14.

• Same overnight route: Rome to Munich via Trento, Bolzano, Bressanone, the Brenner Pass, Innsbruck, and Kufstein.

• Operated by FS Treni Turistici Italiani, the tourism arm of Italy's state rail group.

• Tickets aren't on sale yet; FS says an early booking promotion is coming for the first buyers.

• 2025 fares started around €99 (about $110) one-way, though 2026 pricing hasn't been announced.

• Three ways to sleep: private single or double sleeper cabins, 4 or 6-berth couchettes, or reclining seats.

• A restaurant car and bar run the length of the trip, with breakfast included for sleeper passengers.

Christmas Starts on the Train 🎄

This isn't simply a regular night train that happens to run in December. FS Treni Turistici Italiani decorates the Espresso Monaco for Christmas, turning the overnight journey itself into part of the vacation. Expect festive decorations and seasonal touches throughout the train as it travels north from Rome and into the Alps.

There's also an onboard bar and restaurant car, so you can have dinner, grab a drink, and settle in for the night while the scenery outside gradually changes from Italian cities to Alpine valleys.

For the most comfortable option, travelers can book private sleeper cabins available for one or two passengers. There are also more budget-friendly 4 and 6-berth couchettes, which could be especially useful for families or groups traveling together. Passengers staying in sleeper cabins also get breakfast included.

What's New for the 2026 Season

The Espresso Monaco is officially becoming a holiday tradition. After its debut in December 2025, FS Treni Turistici Italiani is bringing the Christmas train back for a second year, and that alone is worth noting. Limited-run tourist trains don't always return, so a 2026 comeback is a pretty good sign that the first season was a success.

The biggest change this year is the timing. Instead of running over the first and second weekends of December, the 2026 edition will operate November 27–29 and December 4–6, shifting the schedule about a week earlier. That puts both trips right at the start of Germany's Christmas market season, so travelers can arrive in Munich with the festive atmosphere already in full swing.

The Route: Rome to Munich Through the Alps

The route itself hasn't changed much. From Rome, the train heads north through Trento and Bolzano, two especially pretty stops in the Dolomites region during winter, before continuing through Bressanone, Fortezza, and Vipiteno and crossing into Austria via the Brenner Pass.

From there, it stops in Innsbruck, surrounded by the Austrian Alps, and Kufstein, near the German border, before finishing in Munich. It's the kind of route where the journey is part of the appeal, especially as the train climbs into the mountains overnight and passengers wake up surrounded by Alpine scenery.

Christmas Markets Waiting in Munich

Munich is more than enough reason to make the trip. The Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz is the city's headline event, with its towering Christmas tree, glowing wooden stalls, and the smell of roasted almonds and mulled wine drifting through the square.

Beyond Marienplatz, Munich has plenty of traditional markets to explore. The Medieval Christmas Market near Odeonsplatz leans into old-world atmosphere with costumed vendors, historic-style crafts, and hearty food, while the Residenz Christmas Village feels a little more elegant, tucked into the courtyard of the former royal palace and surrounded by grand architecture.

If the 2026 schedule is similar to last year, arriving in Munich by early afternoon should leave plenty of time to spend the rest of the day and evening market-hopping before the Sunday return to Rome. For a short festive getaway, it packs a lot into one weekend.

How to Book

FS hasn't released exact departure and arrival times for 2026 yet, only confirming a Friday departure from Rome and Sunday return from Munich. Last year's train left Rome just before 8 PM and arrived in Munich early the following afternoon, so this year's service will likely follow a similar overnight schedule.

Tickets aren't on sale yet, but FS says booking will open in the coming weeks, along with a special promotion for early travelers. If you're hoping to snag a sleeper cabin, we'd recommend checking the official FS Treni Turistici Italiani website for the latest ticket and schedule updates.

Once available, tickets can be booked through the FS Treni Turistici Italiani website. Check here for updates.

There’s something especially appealing about a trip that skips the airport and makes the journey part of the holiday. Falling asleep in Rome, waking up in the Alps, having dinner in the restaurant car, and rolling into Bavaria the next day beats a 6 AM security line any time.

With two weekends on the calendar for 2026, there’s also a better chance to catch it than last year. If a European Christmas market trip is already on your radar, this is the kind of journey worth building the itinerary around. Once tickets go live, we’d move quickly.

FAQ: The Espresso Monaco – Christmas Markets Edition

When does the train run?


The train operates over two weekends: November 27–29 and December 4–6, 2026, departing Rome on Friday and returning from Munich on Sunday.

Is this the same schedule as 2025?

No. The 2025 train ran December 5–7 and 12–14. The 2026 edition moves about a week earlier, into late November and early December.

What stops does the train make?

The route runs from Rome through Trento, Bolzano, Bressanone, Fortezza, and Vipiteno, crosses into Austria at the Brenner Pass, then continues through Innsbruck and Kufstein before arriving in Munich.

Are tickets on sale yet?

Not as of this writing. FS Treni Turistici Italiani says tickets will go on sale soon, with an early booking promotion for the first travelers to purchase.

How much will tickets cost?

2026 pricing hasn't been announced. For reference, 2025 fares started around €99 (about $110) one-way.

How long is the journey?


About 17 hours, overnight from Roma Termini to Munich Hauptbahnhof.

What is the experience like on board?


Expect a cozy Christmas atmosphere, festive music, and a full dining and bar service.

What are the sleeping options?


Choose between private single or double cabins or 4–6 berth couchettes for families or small groups.

Is food included on the train?

There's a restaurant car and bar running for most of the trip, and breakfast is included for passengers booked into sleeper cabins.

Who operates the Espresso Monaco?

FS Treni Turistici Italiani, the tourism division of Italy's state rail group, Ferrovie dello Stato.

Are there other Christmas trains in Italy?


Yes, FS Treni Turistici also offers the Christmas Market Train to Arezzo, a scenic winter trip through Tuscany.