Soon, You Can Discover Italy on These Charming Vintage Tourist Trains

With the growing popularity of Italy and the increasing crowds in major cities, the bel paese is introducing a more mindful and eco-friendly approach to exploring this cherished Mediterranean destination—an exciting new series of tourist trains that will guide rail enthusiasts through some of Italy’s most captivating scenery.

Set to launch in 2024, the FS Treni Turistici Italiani (Italian tourist trains) are ready to redefine leisurely travel across the country with enchanting routes on vintage trains. This initiative is spearheaded by Italy’s state-owned Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS), which oversees the primary rail system Trenitalia. While Trenitalia caters to all commuter rail needs—from high-speed to local services—the Treni Turistici will serve as FS’s dedicated tourist network.

The Treni Turistici will feature three service tiers: Lusso (Luxury), Espresso e Storici (Express and Historic), and Omnibus–Regionali (Regional). Each category is part of a national network utilizing classic trains on innovative routes that blend well-known sights with hidden gems for both day excursions and overnight stays.

Essential Information about the New FS Treni Turistici (Italian Tourist Trains)

FS Treni Turistici aims to revamp Trenitalia’s conventional train fleet into a specialized collection that offers exceptional rail experiences—described as “a modern tourism approach” intended to immerse travelers in the nation’s traditions and charming small towns. This was highlighted by Antonio Tajani, Italy’s deputy prime minister, during a press conference last month announcing the launch of Treni Turistici. FS reports that 5.6 million passengers utilize its trains daily, with nearly half opting for regional services. The company also noted a 25 percent rise in ticket sales from tourist travelers in Q1 2023 compared to the same timeframe in 2019.

The new initiative aims to harmonize luxury and sustainability with tradition and cultural richness, as FS seeks to create an experience that is both fulfilling and environmentally friendly.

Lusso: Opulent rail journeys aboard vintage cars from the 1920s and 1960s

A key feature of FS Treni Turistici Italiani will be Lusso, the upcoming series of luxurious long-distance sleeper trains. In collaboration with the hospitality group Accor, FS will present the La Dolce Vita train, a stunning homage to Italy’s glamorous golden age—an era celebrated in the 1950s and ’60s, famously captured by filmmaker Federico Fellini. The refurbished 11-car sleeper coaches have been designed by Dimorestudio, drawing inspiration from the legendary works of designers like Carlo Scarpa, Gio Ponti, and Piero Fornasetti. These trains will embark on one- to three-day curated journeys, showcasing regional highlights in northern, southern, or central Italy, and offering immersive experiences such as truffle hunting in Piedmont and a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Matera in Basilicata.

Additionally, it will feature a glamorous revival of the 1920s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express trains in collaboration with Belmond.

Espressi: Trains styled after the 1980s, serving popular beach and mountain destinations

The Espressi experience will transport you back to the rail travel of the 1980s, featuring refurbished trains from that era outfitted with dining cars, sleeping compartments, and storage for bikes and skis. Espressi will connect urban travelers with their favorite getaway spots throughout the year. Routes will include journeys from Milan to the Tuscan and Ligurian coasts, as well as overnight 'cruise' trains that depart on Friday nights from Rome to the Ionian coast in regions like Puglia and Metaponto, or to mountain retreats in the Dolomites for long weekends. (There may also be occasional sightseeing stops along the route.)

Storici: Rail adventures that delve into Italy's rich history

Storici journeys will utilize the historic trains from the FS Foundation and will offer approximately 400 rail itineraries across nearly all 20 regions of Italy. Typically operating shorter or day routes, these intimate trains will emphasize cultural travel, including stops for guided tours and tastings.

Omnibus–Regionali: Budget-friendly regional rail adventures

The Omnibus–Regionali routes are being crafted to promote weekend getaways by providing attractively priced regional train journeys to picturesque villages and areas steeped in culture and culinary heritage. While specifics about the Omnibus–Regionali routes are limited, one option may include train trips to the borghi (medieval castle towns) of Abruzzo.

Italy’s current assortment of vintage trains

You don’t have to wait to experience a historic train journey across Italy. FS Italia already boasts a selection of classic trains, from restored steam engines to historic carriages showcasing the stylish designs of the 1950s and ‘60s. These trains offer both short intercity connections and longer day excursions, traversing the beautiful landscapes of the mainland and the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. (In Sicily, options include the Treno del Barocco, which visits Sicilian Baroque cities like Noto and Modica; Sardinia features the Trenino Verde, or Little Green Train, in the southeast.)

In Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, the Treno di Dante (Dante train)—boasting early 1900s rail cars with charming wooden interiors—follows the legendary footsteps of Renaissance poet and father of the Italian language, Dante Alighieri, traveling from Florence to Ravenna. The route includes stops at i borghi più belli d’italia, Italy’s most beautiful art towns, including hidden gems like Brisighella and Marradi that you may not know.

Naples’s short-distance Reggia Express offers a quick 50-minute journey from the heart of Campania’s capital to Caserta, home of the magnificent Reggia di Caserta (royal palace), aboard restored 1930s Centoporte or 1950s Corbellini trains.

For a truly breathtaking rail experience, Sicily’s Ferrovia Circumetnea meanders through lush vineyards, olive groves, pistachio fields, and petrified lava, encircling the active Etna volcano. Departing from and returning to Riposto, this -hour trip (covering about 110 km) is taken on a vintage 1950s Fiat single-car train.