There’s something uniquely magical about traveling by train at Christmas. Maybe it’s the slower rhythm, the way the landscape shifts outside the window, or the feeling of arriving in towns already dressed for the season. This year, several special holiday trains turn this simple pleasure into a full travel experience.
These routes carry travelers toward Italian Christmas markets while passing snowy mountains, hilltop villages and cities illuminated for the holidays. The journey alone is worth taking, and the destinations at the end are the icing on the Christmas cake. In this guide, we highlight four remarkable routes, complete with practical details, dates, itineraries and insights to help you make the most of these winter journeys across Italy from north to south.
Arezzo Christmas Express
Running every Sunday from November 30, 2025 to January 4, 2026, the Arezzo Christmas Express begins its journey at Roma Termini, traveling north to Arezzo through Terni, Spoleto, Foligno, Spello, Assisi and Perugia. This seasonal train recreates the charm of Italian winter travel with decorated carriages and a slower, scenic rhythm.
Because it departs from Rome early in the morning and returns from Arezzo in the late afternoon, it’s an easy full-day excursion from the capital you can enjoy without needing to stay overnight. On board, passengers can choose between standard seats, first class or small private compartments (salottini). A bar carriage serves warm drinks and snacks, and festive music adds to the holiday atmosphere as the train crosses the Tuscan valleys.
In Arezzo, the Christmas market takes place in Piazza Grande, one of Tuscany’s most atmospheric squares. Tyrolean-style wooden huts fill the piazza with artisanal food, holiday decorations and local crafts, while a spectacular light show brings the medieval buildings to life after sunset. The holiday atmosphere extends through the streets of the historic center, with additional markets, antique stalls and live music creating a place where you naturally linger longer than planned.
Ready to go? You can book your ticket here or keep reading to discover the other Christmas trains we’ve selected for you.
Munich Market Night Train
Operating on two special departures, December 5 and 12, 2025, with returns on December 7 and 14, 2025, the Munich Market Night Train (Espresso Monaco) links Rome to Bavaria’s Christmas markets along one of Europe’s most scenic winter rail routes. Leaving in the evening from Roma Termini, the train travels through Verona, Bolzano and Innsbruck before arriving in Munich the following morning.
Because it travels overnight, this route turns long-distance travel into part of the holiday experience. The train offers several accommodation options, including standard seats, couchettes and sleeper cabins for added comfort. A bistro carriage serves hot drinks and light meals, and the gentle rhythm of the train makes it easy to settle in, read, rest or simply watch the lights of Alpine towns appear and disappear beyond the window.
Munich’s Christmas markets are among the most famous in Europe, with the main one, Christkindlmarkt, set in Marienplatz, right in the heart of the Old Town. Wooden stalls offer traditional Bavarian ornaments, gingerbread hearts and mulled wine, while lights illuminate the Gothic facades of the square. From here, visitors can also reach the Medieval Market near Odeonsplatz or the artisans’ market in Wittelsbacherplatz, each with its own festive character. With an entire day ahead and the return trip scheduled for the evening, travelers can explore freely without the pressure of rushing.
Thinking of making this your holiday getaway? You can book your journey directly through FS Treni Turistici here.
Trans-Siberian of the Apennines
Running on selected dates from November 22, 2025 to January 6, 2026, the historic Ferrovia dei Parchi, Italy’s beloved “Trans-Siberian of the Apennines”, offers one of the country’s most atmospheric winter rail journeys. Departing from Sulmona, the train climbs through the snow-covered national parks of Abruzzo, passing forests, plateaus and villages.
The vintage carriages, with wooden details and classic seating, preserve the charm of early 20th-century travel. On board, volunteers from the Ferrovia dei Parchi association share insights about the landscape and traditions, while the large windows make the changing scenery an essential part of the trip. Depending on the date, travelers can choose morning or early-afternoon departures.
Along the way, the train stops in villages hosting their own Christmas markets. Campo di Giove features Alpine-style stalls and mountain products; Roccaraso combines its market with ice skating and family events; and Castel di Sangro fills its historic center with lights, crafts and local specialties. Each stop offers time to stroll, sample and enjoy the festive atmosphere at high altitude.
You can check dates and reserve your seat through Ferrovia dei Parchi here, or continue reading to discover our final Christmas train of the season, the one that carries you all the way south for a warmer, Mediterranean-style holiday.
Sicilia Express
Departing from Torino’s Porta Nuova on December 20, 2025 and returning north on January 5, 2026, the Sicilia Express is the longest and warmest of Italy’s Christmas train journeys. Operated by FS Treni Turistici, it travels through Milan, Parma, Bologna, Florence, Rome and Salerno before crossing to Sicily, a route that lets travelers watch the landscape change from wintry plains to Mediterranean coastline.
On board, the train offers standard seats, couchettes and sleeper cabins, along with a restaurant and bar carriage serving meals throughout the trip. Live music and tastings of Sicilian specialties help create a seasonal mood, making the long journey a pleasant holiday interlude rather than just a way to reach the island.
Once in Sicily, the train divides into two sections: one for Palermo, known for its lively markets around Piazza Castelnuovo and Teatro Massimo; and one for Siracusa, where the season is celebrated between Ortigia’s waterfront and the historic center. Both cities feature traditional nativity scenes, local crafts and mild December weather that gives the holiday a distinctly southern feel.
If you’re ready for a Christmas journey that spans nearly the entire length of Italy, you can book your seat or sleeper cabin here.
–Irene Speretta