A stylish and nostalgic new rail experience is rolling into southern Europe this summer, as a revamped sleeper train will connect Marseille to Rome every weekend — and this time, Monaco is officially on the map.
The Espresso Riviera, a vintage-style night train run by Trenitalia’s subsidiary FS Treni Turistici, will operate between July 4 and August 30, threading through 14 glittering Mediterranean cities including Nice, Monaco, Menton, Genoa and finally, the Eternal City itself.
Last year’s run of the Espresso Riviera was a hit with travellers, but there was one glaring omission: Monaco. The train’s diesel-powered locomotives weren’t compatible with the Principality’s station infrastructure, meaning passengers had to admire it from a distance. That glitch is now resolved, as the operator has swapped out its thermal engines for electric ones, allowing for a full stop at Monaco Monte-Carlo station.
Trains will leave Monaco every Saturday evening at 18:36, reaching Rome by the following morning. The return leg departs the Italian capital each Friday at 19:57, offering the perfect timetable for a week-long Italian escape. Shorter options are available too, with passengers able to disembark in Genoa on Saturday night and return there the following Friday morning.
The experience is designed for comfort as much as style: retro-inspired sleeper cabins, a curated dining car, and attentive service aim to evoke the golden age of train travel. Between Genoa and Rome, the Espresso Riviera operates in full sleeper mode, while the section between Marseille and Genoa is a scenic daytime journey.
Prices for a one-way ticket between Monaco and Rome start at approximately 70 euros — a remarkably accessible fare for what is, effectively, a luxury experience on rails. FS Treni Turistici has already opened bookings on its website, and demand is expected to be high.
Last summer’s debut on the Milan–Nice route drew rave reviews, and with Monaco now added to the itinerary, this year’s Espresso Riviera promises to be even more memorable for fans of both slow travel and la dolce vita.
Bookings and further details available at: www.fstrenituristici.it
