The first routes will connect Milan and Rome to Munich via Innsbruck, with the aim of extending the service to Berlin and Naples by 2028. Tests have already begun on the German and Austrian networks
A new phase opens for international rail transport. From 2027 the Frecciarossa will connect Italy with Germany and Austria. The new service will be created by Trenitalia, a company of the Italian State Railways Group, in collaboration with Deutsche Bahn and the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). The initiative was presented at the InnoTrans international fair in Berlin and aims to strengthen rail connections between the main European centres.
The first connections between Italy, Austria and Germany
In the initial phase, the Milan-Munich and Rome-Munich routes will be activated, both with a stop in Innsbruck. According to the program illustrated by Trenitalia, the first connections between Milan and Munich should enter service from the summer of 2027. The estimated travel time will be approximately 6 hours and 45 minutes. The objective, however, is that by 2028 the service will be extended to Naples and Berlin, further expanding Italy's international high-speed network.
Trenitalia: "More railway integration in Europe"
“We firmly believe in the development of our high-speed transport and Frecciarossa in Europe,” said Trenitalia general director Simone Gorini. The project, he added, is part of a process of greater European integration of rail transport.
Tests already started on German and Austrian lines
In view of the start of the service, tests for the new connection are already underway. The tests involve some railway routes in Germany, between Nuremberg and Ingolstadt and between Erfurt and Leipzig, as well as the Austrian network. The Frecciarossa can reach a maximum speed of 400 kilometers per hour.
The strategic role of Brenner
Bolzano is particularly satisfied, seeing the new connection as an opportunity to strengthen the Alpine railway corridor. "Bolzano is located in the heart of this new connection between Munich and Milan - underlines the South Tyrolean councilor for mobility, Daniel Alfreidier - We are not just talking about a new train, but about greater international collaboration between Italy, Austria and Germany. Brenner is one of the main European transport axes and we must continue to strengthen the railway along this corridor". Alfreider finds it positive that the new service arrives before the entry into operation of the Brenner Base Tunnel: "Naturally - observes the councilor - the existing railway line was not designed for high-speed traffic, but we cannot simply wait until the BBT enters service. We must already today make international rail connections more attractive and strengthen collaboration along the Brenner corridor".
