Deutsche Bahn, Trenitalia and ÖBB have unveiled plans to launch Italian Frecciarossa services on German tracks at the end of 2026, creating direct high-speed connections between Germany and Italy. The inaugural service will operate once daily from Munich to Milan in about six and a half hours, and to Rome in roughly eight and a half hours, routing through Innsbruck without intermediate stops.
By 2028, the network will extend north to Berlin and south to Naples, eventually providing up to five return journeys per day across the three-country corridor. Travelers can look forward to faster trips once the Brenner Base Tunnel opens around 2032, shaving approximately one hour off current schedules.
Michael Peterson, DB’s board member for long-distance passenger transport, noted that “growing demand for eco-friendly cross-border travel” makes this partnership a timely boost for international rail services. ÖBB’s executive Sabine Stock added that attracting car and air passengers to trains through the sensitive Alpine region represents “a clear win for climate and the environment.”
Designated as one of ten European Commission pilot schemes to enhance transnational rail links, the project requires technical modifications to Frecciarossa 1000 trainsets for compatibility with German and Austrian infrastructure, followed by comprehensive testing and certification in all three countries. Once operational, these Italian-branded services will sit alongside ICE and TGV on Europe’s expanding high-speed network.
