A brand new overnight rail service is launching this autumn to whisk travellers from Rome straight to Munich's legendary Oktoberfest celebrations.
The Munich Express represents a brilliant solution for holidaymakers who want to pair Italy's charm with Bavaria's most famous beer festival.
For Britons who love both Italian culture and German festivities, the service eliminates the need for multiple bookings, complex connections, or lengthy road trips across Europe.
It's a perfect opportunity to tick off two European capitals while enjoying authentic cultural experiences and world-class partying in a single weekend adventure.
Holidaymakers can enjoy an authentic experience in Munich | GETTYThis special train service kicks off during Oktoberfest 2025, offering weekend packages that include traditional Bavarian entertainment on board. Passengers can start sipping authentic German beer and enjoying themed festivities from the moment they step aboard at Rome's Termini Station.
The service promises a hassle-free journey that eliminates complicated travel logistics while maximising the fun factor for weekend adventurers.
The train departs Rome every Friday evening and returns on Monday mornings, perfectly timed for a weekend of Bavarian festivities. Travellers can choose from standard seating or upgrade to comfortable couchettes and sleeper cars for those who want to rest before hitting Munich's famous beer halls.
Early bird tickets for the inaugural weekends on September 26 and October 3 start at just 99 euros (around £85.58).
If you want to explore other places, the route includes stops at key Italian destinations like Verona, Trento, Bolzano, and several other cities before crossing into Germany.
Organisers promise the celebration begins the instant passengers board, with onboard Bavarian entertainment setting the festive mood throughout the journey.
Oktoberfest officially runs from Saturday, September 20 until Sunday, October 5, starting with the ceremonial tapping of the first keg at noon. The festival attracts roughly six million visitors annually who don traditional lederhosen and dirndl while sampling local food and enjoying carnival rides.
Munich's iconic beer tents serve one-litre mugs alongside vibrant music, dancing and revelry, with a typical two-pint serving costing around 15 euros (around £12.97).
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The celebrations will kick off in Munich next month
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The train will depart from Rome and have more Italian stops
| GETTYBefore the pandemic, Oktoberfest generated over one billion euros in 2019, making it a major economic boost for Germany.
British tourists looking for an extended European adventure will find this service particularly appealing, as it combines two distinct cultural experiences in one seamless weekend trip. The Munich Express allows travellers to explore Italy's historic cities during their journey before diving into Germany's most celebrated beer festival.
For more ways to travel to Oktoberfest, Lufthansa will restart its popular service between London Stansted and Munich this autumn, ahead of the celebrations.
Britons will be able to take advantage of a total of 14 new flights going between the UK and Germany over the period of the festival.