Again, a new high-speed railway connects European cities faster than ever. Yes, you can go from Rome to Munich much quicker than before — all while enjoying the fascinating scenes of the Alps along the way.
In a landmark development for European rail travel, Italy’s Trenitalia, Germany’s Deutsche Bahn (DB), and Austria’s ÖBB have announced the launch of a new high-speed rail link connecting Rome and Munich, set to commence operations by the end of 2026. The direct service will utilize Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa high-speed trains, marking their inaugural operation in Germany. The journey from Munich to Milan is expected to take approximately 6.5 hours, while the full route to Rome will be around 8.5 hours — cutting current travel times by over an hour.
Initially, the service will offer one daily connection, with plans to scale up to five daily trips in each direction. By December 2028, further extensions aim to include Berlin and Naples, significantly boosting cross-border rail mobility. This initiative is part of the broader ‘European Metro’ vision — a high-speed railway network connecting major European cities. Trenitalia CEO Gianpiero Strisciuglio emphasized the ambition to make the Frecciarossa “the train of Europeans and not only of Italians.”
The project supports the European Union’s commitment to sustainable transport. EU Commissioner for Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas commented: “The expansion of high-speed train, especially cross-border rail, is our top priority. This new connection is a strong example of progress on this path.”
Further improvements are anticipated with the Brenner Base Tunnel — a 55-kilometer rail project under the Alps — set to open in 2032. It is expected to shave another hour off the Rome-Munich route, making train travel even more efficient. This high-speed rail link marks a major milestone in Europe’s transportation evolution, offering a scenic, sustainable, and time-saving alternative to air travel while strengthening ties between two cultural capitals.
Sources: Belga News Agency, Wanted in Rome
