Forgetting check-ins, checks and crowded gates could soon become a reality. By 2028, it will be possible to travel from Rome to Berlin with a direct high-speed train, without changes and with competitive times compared to the plane. The project was born from the collaboration between Trenitalia, Deutsche Bahn and ÖBB, a strategic alliance that aims to build a real “Europe’s metro” on rail. The objective is clear: to connect the main cities of the continent with an integrated, fast and sustainable railway system.
The first routes as early as 2026
The plan will not start all at once, but in well-defined stages. The first direct connections between Rome and Munich and between Milan and Munich will come into operation between the end of 2026 and the beginning of 2027, with four trains a day. The Rome-Munich journey will last approximately eight and a half hours, with strategic stops in Florence, Bologna, Verona, Trento, Bolzano and Innsbruck. The Milan-Munich route will be even faster, with an estimated time of around six and a half hours.
The leap to 2028: the direct Rome-Berlin arrives
However, the real change of pace will arrive in December 2028. With the completion of the Brenner Base Tunnel, the connections will extend to Berlin, also including routes such as Milan-Berlin and Naples-Berlin. When fully operational, ten daily connections are expected between Italy and Germany, making the train a real alternative for international travel. Travel times for Rome-Berlin are estimated between nine and twelve hours, depending on stops and operating conditions.
Frecciarossa 1000: the protagonist of the journey
Making this transformation possible will be the Frecciarossa 1000, the flagship Italian high-speed train designed to circulate on various European networks. These trains are designed to offer high comfort and international standards, adapting to the railway systems of countries such as Germany, Austria, France and Spain. The objective is to bring the experience of Italian high speed beyond national borders, maintaining constant performance and quality.
A new way to travel in Europe
The project was also selected by the European Commission as a pilot initiative to improve international mobility. The idea is to encourage more sustainable transport, reducing the use of planes on medium-long routes. With the integration of the railway networks, the new connections will also make it possible to easily reach other European destinations such as Frankfurt or Krakow. Looking ahead, the train will no longer be just a means of transport, but a truly shared European infrastructure, capable of shortening the distances between cities, cultures and people.
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