This blog post explains Italy’s new festive night train, the Munich Express, a Rome-to-Munich sleeper service timed for Oktoberfest. I’ll outline how the train works, what to expect onboard, ticketing and boarding options, and how travelers from the Italian Riviera can easily weave this experience into their own itineraries.
Munich Express: a themed night train from Rome to Munich
The Munich Express is a 16-hour overnight train operated by FS Treni Turistici Italiani, deliberately scheduled to coincide with Oktoberfest. Running on just two dates this autumn — 26 September and 3 October — it departs Rome’s Termini at 8pm on Friday and returns starting Sunday afternoon, arriving back in Rome on Monday morning.
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The service blends practical overnight travel with a lively Bavarian theme. Passengers can arrive rested and in the mood to celebrate without the hassles of driving or airport queues.
Onboard experience and route highlights
Expect an Oktoberfest-style dining car serving draft beer, traditional Bavarian dishes and live music that invites dancing. The scenic route threads north through Italy, stopping in key cultural hubs including Florence, Bologna and Verona, before crossing the Alps into Germany and rolling into Munich.
Ticketing is flexible, starting at €99 (£86) each way, with sleeping options in single, double or four-berth cabins. For those wanting to skip road traffic, the train allows boarding further north at stations such as Verona, Trento, Bolzano and Brennero.
Why this matters: the sleeper train revival
Across Europe, sleeper trains are enjoying a revival, combining environmental sense with comfort and atmosphere. The Munich Express taps into that trend by offering a themed, social experience that is also a sensible overnight connection between capitals.
Internationally, rail leisure is expanding too. In Asia, for example, Thailand is preparing to debut the luxury nine-night sleeper Blue Jasmine between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
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Practical tips for travelers
Book early: with only two departures this autumn the themed cabins will move fast. Consider boarding at a northern Italian stop to avoid long daytime drives.
Bring earplugs if you plan to sleep in a shared compartment. Reserve a table in the dining car if you want guaranteed seats for dinner.
Here are quick highlights at a glance:
Connecting the Munich Express with the Italian Riviera
If you’re based on the Italian Riviera, the Munich Express can be a great way to cap a coastal holiday with an Alpine celebration. Many travelers will start their journey along the Ligurian coastline in towns like Genoa, Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure or Rapallo.
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Travelers often continue east to explore the cinematic villages of the Cinque Terre — Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare.
Other Riviera gateways such as Sestri Levante, Camogli, La Spezia and Sanremo offer rail and road links to Rome. This makes it easy to combine sun-drenched coastal relaxation with a spirited overnight rail trip to Munich.
Whether you’re coming from a pastel-painted fishing village or a polished seaside resort, the Munich Express offers an entertaining, sustainable way to reach Oktoberfest and back.
Here is the source article for this story: Rome to Munich ‘beer train’ sleeper service for Oktoberfest launched
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