Travelers who love the magic of a snowy, market-light-covered Christmas market have likely long dreamed of visiting the famous Christkindlmärkte in southern Germany. The idea of sipping cocoa, listening to children singing carols, and browsing handmade mittens is already enough to make some travelers start planning a trip to Germany. But now, thanks to a new limited-time train route introduced by Trenitalia, those travelers may want to instead high-tail it to Italy this winter. (Don’t worry — you’ll still end up in Munich).
FS Treni Turistici Italiani, the tourism department of Italy’s state railroad organization, just announced a new seasonal spin on the Espresso Monaco train route. During December, travelers will be able to ride the luxury train from Rome, Italy, to Munich, Germany, just in time for Bavaria’s famous Christmas markets. The route currently operates in autumn, carrying travelers primarily to Oktoberfest celebrations in Germany. The “Espresso Monaco – Christmas Markets Edition” meshes overnight train travel with traditional winter festivities, passing through several other small towns known for traditional Christmas markets before arriving in Munich.
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Departures from the Roma Termini station are scheduled for December 5 and December 12, with returns on December 7 and December 14. The train will stop in Verona Porta Nuova, Trento, Bolzano, Bressanone, Fortezza, Vipiteno, and Colle Isarco, before crossing the Brenner Pass into Austria. It’ll next stop in Innsbruck before reaching its terminus in Munich. The itinerary puts at least 12 major Christmas markets within reach of travelers, ranging from Munich’s famous market at Marienplatz to a mercatino di Natale on the shores of Lake Garda in Bardolino, Italy.
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Travelers can choose from a range of accommodations on board. Options range from the most luxurious single or double sleeping-car cabins to four- or six-berth cabins with seats that convert into beds. You can also choose standard seats in the company’s second-class cars, which the train website describes as a “convivial experience and a great opportunity to make new friends.”
The onboard experience is tailored to the festive season, with cabins decorated in Christmas décor, seasonal music playing on board, and even a small Christmas gift for each passenger. The train’s dining options are also designed for making travelers feel warm and cozy, with a “Christmas Market-themed” menu and bar service throughout the trip. The total travel time is about 17 hours, departing Rome at 7:57 PM and arriving in Munich around 2 PM the following day.
Woman at a Christmas market in Trento, Italy. Photo: Francesco Bonino/Shutterstock
If you’re interested in hopping aboard, move quickly. Some dates and classes are already sold out, with limited seats remaining on the themed train. Passengers can book one-way or round-trip tickets, and the experience is the same whether you start in Rome or Munich. Adult one-way tickets start at 99 euros (about $115) for the most affordable seats, going up to 299 euros per person (about $349) for private sleeper cars. There’s currently a 25 percent off “TTI SPECIAL Offer” on select departures, though many of those tickets are already sold out. Tickets are nonchangeable and nonrefundable, though you can change the passenger’s name up to 24 hours before departure.
