Italy is transforming the concept of overnight travel with its new sleeper train routes, offering a blend of vintage charm and modern comfort. Ferrovia dello Stato (FS), Italy’s national railway, has expanded its FS Treni Turistici Italiani (Italian tourist trains) portfolio with three overnight routes, connecting Rome to the breathtaking regions of the Dolomites, Puglia, and Piedmont.
These routes allow travelers to experience the allure of vintage-style trains while sleeping through their journey and waking up in stunning mountain and coastal destinations. The Espresso Trains, unveiled in 2023, offer three levels of travel: Lusso (luxury), Espresso e Storici (express and historic), and Omnibus–Regionali (regional). These trains operate on refurbished older models, offering both popular and off-the-beaten-path destinations, perfect for day trips or overnight experiences. The new sleeper trains, part of the Espresso collection, are meticulously restored trains from the mid-20th century to the 1980s and 1990s, offering modern amenities while retaining their nostalgic charm.
Train enthusiasts will be particularly drawn to the restored FS E444 Tartaruga, an iconic electric locomotive from the 1960s, known for its distinctive rounded design and streamlined form.
Overnight Routes:
Whether you dream of a seaside retreat, a mountain adventure, or a taste of Barolo, overnight Espresso journeys offer a variety of options:
*
Espresso Salento:
Connects Rome to Lecce, Puglia, until August 31st.*
Espresso Cadore:
Connects Rome to the Dolomites, launched in December and continues through August, with plans to resume during the upcoming ski season.*
Espresso Langhe Monferrato:
Starts its journey from Rome to Alba in the Piedmont region overnight starting in October.For winter sports enthusiasts, the Espresso Cadore is a must, taking travelers from Rome to Cortina d’Ampezzo, a premier ski destination featured in the James Bond film ‘For Your Eyes Only’. Departing on Friday evenings, the train arrives in Calalzo-Pieve di Cadore early Saturday morning, followed by a bus transfer to Cortina d’Ampezzo. The return journey departs on Wednesday evenings, arriving in Rome at 7 a.m. the next day.
Daytime Routes:
For those preferring daytime travel, Treni Turistici offers several exciting options:
*
Espresso Riviera:
Connects Milan with the Riviera, traveling to Nice every Saturday and Sunday until September 1st, and exploring the Italian coast with stops at various towns every Sunday through September 30th.*
Espresso Versilia:
Travels from Milan to Livorno, with stops at the Cinque Terre and Forte dei Marmi, every Tuesday and Thursday until September 26th, with lunch included for first-class passengers.*
Espresso Assisi:
Will link Rome to the medieval city of Assisi every Saturday and Sunday from October 5th through November 30th.The Experience:
On departure evenings, passengers are welcomed at Roma Termini station by uniformed FS attendants and guided to their cabins via red carpeted corridors. The overnight Espresso trains feature updated sleeping cars with a variety of accommodations, including single and double-berth sleeper cabins and four-bunk cabins. Each cabin comes equipped with FS-branded linens, blackout curtains, a welcome kit with earplugs and slippers, interior door locks, air conditioning, volume control for announcements, and ample storage space. Communal bathrooms are located at the end of each car.
Meals are included for overnight passengers, as well as first-class travelers on the Espresso Versilia daytime route. The dining cars offer a retro ambiance with 1980s decor, featuring diner-like tables with red vinyl chairs and white tablecloths. The menu includes a prix fixe option with regional dishes like tortelloni with porcini mushrooms and saltimbocca alla romana, as well as a children’s meal of pasta with tomato and basil and grilled chicken breast. Breakfast offers a generous spread, from cornetti to gluten-free choices.
The Cost:
Tickets for the Espresso trains can be booked online through FS Treni Turistici Italiani. Round-trip prices for exclusive sleeper cabins range from 300 to 500 euros (approximately US$333 to US$555), depending on the route. Couchette cabins are priced between 200 and 400 euros (around US$222 to US$444), with higher costs for exclusive occupancy. Day trips on the Espresso trains start at 88 euros (about US$98) per person for a second-class round-trip ticket.
