The line will run daily between Munich, Innsbruck, Milan, and Rome, marking a significant milestone in cross-border European rail travel.
First-Time Use of Italian High-Speed Trains in Germany and Austria
This project will introduce Italy’s Frecciarossa 1000 high-speed trains to German and Austrian tracks for the first time. Initially, a single daily round trip is planned. The journey from Munich to Milan is expected to take approximately six and a half hours, while the trip to Rome will take around eight and a half hours. Compared to current travel times with transfers, this new route shortens the trip to Milan by about 75 minutes and to Rome by up to 105 minutes, according to a DB spokesperson.
Expansion to Additional Cities Planned by 2028
Looking ahead, the direct train service is set to expand to other cities by the end of 2028, with Berlin and Naples already identified as future destinations. In the long term, up to five daily round trips between Germany, Austria, and Italy are envisioned. Travel times are expected to decrease even further with the completion of the Brenner Base Tunnel, scheduled for late 2032, which is projected to cut an additional hour from the journey.
European Union Backs Cross-Border Rail Project
The initiative is part of a broader EU program to enhance international rail services. It is one of ten pilot projects supported by the European Commission to improve cross-border train connections. In order to operate in Germany and Austria, the Frecciarossa 1000 trains must undergo technical modifications, followed by rigorous testing and certification processes.
Boost for Sustainable Travel Across Europe
Michael Peterson, DB’s Board Member for Long-Distance Passenger Transport, emphasized the importance of the collaboration: “Our joint project will further strengthen the growing international rail network.” Sabine Stock, Executive Board Member at ÖBB, highlighted the environmental impact: “Especially in the sensitive Alpine region, every traveler who chooses rail over car or air travel makes a valuable contribution to climate protection.”
This new direct service represents a major step toward making long-distance train travel more accessible, faster, and sustainable across European borders.
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