This autumn, travellers from Rome can skip the airport queues and head straight into Oktoberfest mode the moment they board a train. Italy’s new Munich Express, also called the Espresso Monaco, is a Bavarian-themed sleeper service where beer flows, music plays, and pretzels are served long before you arrive in Munich. Operated by FS Treni Turistici Italiani, the state-owned tourist rail company, the service turns a 16-hour night journey into a festive prelude to the world’s biggest beer celebration.
Unlike typical sleeper services, this train is designed to feel like a festival on wheels. The journey lasts 16 hours, passing through Florence, Bologna, Verona, and the Alps. Along the way, passengers are treated to Bavarian music, freshly poured draft beer, and festival bites like sausages and pretzels.
Accommodation options range from standard seats to couchettes and private sleeper cabins. Couples can book double compartments, solo travellers can opt for singles, and families or groups can share four-berth cabins. Every detail is planned to ease the stress of long-distance travel while setting the mood for Munich’s legendary celebration.
The Munich Express will run on two weekends during the 2025 Oktoberfest season. Departures from Rome Termini are scheduled for 8 PM on 26 September and 3 October, with arrivals in Munich at 2:30 PM the following day. Return trains leave Munich on Sunday at 2:30 PM, reaching Rome at 6:30 AM Monday.
For travellers in northern Italy, there are additional boarding points in Trento, Verona, Bolzano, Bressanone, Fortezza, Vipiteno, Colle Isarco, and Brennero.
Fares begin at EUR 99 each way, while round-trip tickets are priced at a discounted EUR 89 each way. Bookings are available via Railbook.
While Munich remains the world’s most iconic Oktoberfest destination, new data from Thomas Cook suggests travellers are increasingly drawn to Berlin’s version of the festival. The Berliner Oktoberfest offers the same Bavarian traditions—oompah bands, beer steins, hearty fare—at a fraction of Munich’s prices. Affordability is a key driver, though many visitors are still willing to spend on luxury four- and five-star hotels.
“Munich may be the birthplace, but Berlin’s Oktoberfest is proving attractive to travellers looking for an accessible, budget-friendly alternative,” said Nicholas Smith, Holidays Digital Director at Thomas Cook.
For festivalgoers heading to Munich, the Munich Express is both a convenient and lively way to travel. It brings together scenic rail journeys with Bavarian hospitality, ensuring that the Oktoberfest experience begins the moment the train leaves Rome. With beer flowing, music playing, and Alpine views rolling by, the new “beer train” offers a celebratory ride straight into the heart of Bavaria.