A direct high-speed rail link between Rome and Berlin will be activated by the end of 2028, part of the European project called “Metro Europe.” This link will be operated by the Frecciarossa 1000, a train designed to travel on different European rail networks, passing through Austria.
The new train connections from Rome to European cities.
By 2026, the Rome-Munich and Milan-Munich connections will be activated, while the extension to Berlin (from Milan and Rome) and Naples is planned for 2028. There will then be 10 total daily connections between Italy and Germany, including routes such as Milan-Berlin, Naples-Munich, and Naples-Berlin, in addition to Rome-Berlin.
The opening of the Brenner Base Tunnel will also reduce travel time by about an hour. This project aims to make the Frecciarossa not just an Italian but a European train, facilitating sustainable travel between major European capitals.
How one can now reach Berlin from Rome
Currently, to reach Berlin from Rome by public transport, there is no direct high-speed train connection. The average train journey takes between 14 and 18 hours, with 2-3 changes along the way. A typical route involves changes at cities such as Bolzano, Brenner, and Innsbruck, with an average travel time of about 13 to 18 hours, depending on solutions and schedules.
Other means of reaching Berlin from Rome are:
- the plane, which is the fastest way, with a flight time around 2 hours and 11 minutes
- the bus, which takes about 20 hours
- by car, the trip takes about 13 1/2 hours by road (about 1470 km)
The Frecciarossa 1000, which will connect Rome to Berlin starting in December 2028, could take between 9 and 12 hours, depending on the route and stops. Usually these trains leave at night to allow people to sleep on the train and wake up already in the other city.