Premium Sleeper Train Linking Rome and the French Riviera Set for Summer Launch
Get Ready to Board the Expresso Riviera: Your Coast-Hugging Rail Adventure Awaits!
Jump aboard the Expresso Riviera for an unforgettable train journey spanning Summer 2025, connecting Rome and Marseille alongside one of the world's most breathtaking coastlines. Having tickled travelers' fancy in 2024, this overnight service — operated by FS Treni Turistici — is making a comeback. Running between 4th July and 30th August 2025, the service will be available exclusively on weekends. Departing from Rome on Friday evenings, you'll arrive in Marseille bright and early on Saturday mornings. Heading westbound, the train leaves Marseille on Saturday evenings, reaching the Italian capital by early Sunday mornings.
A Scenic Journey through Coastal Gems
The route winds through enchanting Italian towns like Genoa, Savona, Alassio, Imperia, Sanremo, and Ventimiglia, and along the French Riviera stops at the pearl of Menton, the glamorous Monaco, and picturesque spots such as Nice, Cannes, Saint-Raphaël-Valescure, Toulon, and finally Marseille.
Unwind in Style Onboard
For a cozy night's sleep, opt for private sleeping compartments or budget-friendly 4-seater couchettes. The train transforms into lounges and seating areas during the day, accommodating both first and second-class passengers, while providing delightful culinary experiences with dinner, breakfast, and a bar service throughout the journey.
A Train Journey as Comfortable as Air Travel
According to Luigi Cantamessa, CEO of FS Treni Turistici Italiani, this train is designed to cater to tourist flows along western Liguria, offering a seamless journey from Genoa to Ventimiglia and France. Cantamessa praises the service's recreation of the comfort of the great international trains that have disappeared.
Attempts to book tickets on the FS Treni Turistici website proved unsuccessful on May 30, with the site still stating that the 2025 itinerary's dates, times, and tickets are yet to be announced. However, prices, according to various sources, start from approximately €44.90 for some classes [4], with a complete journey from Marseille to Rome reported around €71 [2], and one-way ticket prices to Monaco starting around 70 euros [3].
This romantic city-to-city rail experience provides a competitive alternative to air travel, making it an appealing choice for travelers seeking a unique and scenic adventure.
- The Expresso Riviera, operating from July 4 to August 30, 2025, offers a weekend-only rail journey along the coastline, connecting Rome and Marseille.
- As the train meanders through picturesque towns like Imperia, Sanremo, and Ventimiglia in Italy, and Nice, Cannes, and Monaco on the French Riviera, travelers can unwind in its transformed lounges and seating areas.
- Passengers can choose between private sleeping compartments for a comfortable night's sleep or more budget-friendly 4-seater couchettes.
- The culinary experiences onboard include dinner, breakfast, and a bar service, adding a touch of luxury to the journey.
- According to Luigi Cantamessa, the CEO of FS Treni Turistici Italiano, this train aims to recreate the comfort of international trains that no longer exist, catering to tourist flows along western Liguria.
- While ticketing information for the 2025 itinerary is not yet available on the FS Treni Turistici website, reports suggest that prices for the journey begin around €44.90 for certain classes, with a complete journey from Marseille to Rome costing approximately €71.
- This scenic alternative to air travel has emerged as an attractive option for tourists exploring a unique and unforgettable rail adventure.
- By choosing the Expresso Riviera, travelers can contribute to the growth of the travel industry and finance the preservation of such services, promoting eco-friendlier transportation methods and enhancing the lifestyle of both tourists and local communities along the route.
