Imagine spending a whole day exploring Rome’s ancient wonders and world-class trattorie, then hitting the sack only to wake up to the French Riviera’s turquoise seas and pastel-colored coastal towns? No flights, no airport chaos, no endless security lines.
You’ve whooshed past 570 miles and barely even registered it:
Say ciao to Europe’s hottest new sleeper train launching this summer, FS Treni Turistici’s Espresso Riviera, set to link the Italian capital to the French Mediterranean—and if you’re all about aesthetics, it’s proudly vintage, mid-century chic, at that.
The Espresso Riviera Is Back For A Second Season
After a successful first launch in 2025, the Espresso Riviera will be back this year for its sophomore summer, as confirmed by operator FS Treni Turistici.
Starting from June 4, 2026, travelers will be able to board the vintage-style train in Rome and travel overnight all the way to the French Riviera. We’re talking epic destinations like Nice, Monaco, Cannes, Marseille (and many more lesser-known gems).
FS Treni Turistici also promised some readjustments for the re-launch, including increased weekly frequency, and… wait for it…
A longer season.
This summer, the train will run for a longer period of time, from early June to September. Last summer, it was only operational in July and August, which was clearly an inconvenience for some as trains quickly sold out on all routes.
On top of that, tickets cost open as early as this March, so we’d keep an eye on FS Treni Turistici’s website if we were you. Once they go live, seats won’t remain available for long.
The Most Elegant Way To Travel To Côte d’Azur In Summer
As for the train itself, there won’t be significant changes compared to what we’ve seen in 2025. Not that we’re complaining, mind you:
The train features spacious sleeping berths, elegant private lounges for the upper classes, and a restaurant car, not to mention the retro vibe of the wood-paneled lounges and the timeless carpeted interiors that just scream Orient Express.
On a budget, but we’ll take what we can get.
Last year, the train only ran during weekends, leaving Rome on Fridays at 7:57 PM, and calling at Marseille, its final destination, at 1:57 PM the following day. Return journeys took place on Saturdays, setting off from Marseille at 2:46 PM, and arriving in Rome the next day at 6:48 AM.
2026 will see increased frequency, but the operator has yet to divulge the new timetables.
How Much Will Tickets Cost?
As for ticket prices, last year, a ticket from Marseille to Genoa (the daytime stretch of the journey), averaged €44.90 (around $52) in second class. Meanwhile, private lounge seats sold for an average of €144.90 (approximately $168).
Those traveling onward in the overnight leg were expected to fork out €94.90 ($110) for a spot in a four-berth compartment, or €214 ($248) in a single cabin, dinner and breakfast included.
When you think about it, going for the single cabin isn’t that much pricier than booking a hotel room in a mid-range hotel in downtown Rome or Nice. As a matter of fact, you’re actually saving money as you’re essentially combining both accommodation and transportation costs into a single reservation.
For instance, the average hotel overnight in Rome is only slightly cheaper, at $212. Add to that one-way flights to either Nice or Marseille ($40–$90), airport shuttles, and taxi transfers, and booking a private cabin in the Espresso Riviera starts looking like an actual bargain.
Now you understand why seats sell out in the blink of an eye.
All The Stops On The Espresso Riviera Line
Starting from Rome (Termini Station)
Italy
- Roma Termini*
- Genoa (Genova Piazza Principe)*
- Savona
- Alassio
- Imperia
- Sanremo
- Ventimiglia
*Night segment (sleeping cars)
France
- Menton
- Monaco-Monte Carlo
- Nice
- Cannes
- Saint-Raphaël–Valescure
- Toulon
- Marseille Saint-Charles
Top 5 Destinations To Visit With The Espresso Riviera
- Sanremo: home of the Sanremo Music Festival, historic casinos, and a modern coastal promenade, it is one of Italy’s most upscale and inherently glamorous destinations
- Menton: the most colorful town in France, it lines the Italian border with its cluster of distinctively skinny, ocher-painted buildings
- Monaco: an independent city-state in the French Riviera, it is popular for luxury shopping in the Monte Carlo district, and romantic seaside strolls
- Nice: the UNESCO-protected Old Town is a medieval maze of narrow lanes flanked by pastel-hue townhouses, and the iconic Promenade des Anglais is a boardwalk straddling turquoise waters
- Marseille: arguably the most authentic city in France, Marseille’s biggest draws are its blend of Provençale and Maghrebi cultures, delicious seafood, and easy access to the Calanques National Park
Stay On Top Of Europe’s New Entry Rules
If you’re heading to Europe this summer, you might want to prepare in advance for a slate of new entry requirements that are set to come into force.
Don’t worry, you won’t need to apply for a digital entry permit (just yet), but depending on your airport of arrival, you might be required to give your fingerprints and other biometric information, thanks to the Entry/Exit System being implemented.
The easiest way to stay up to date with changing travel rules and ensure you won’t have any unpleasant surprises at the airport is to refer to the Traveler Dashboard.
Not only does it give you the full run-down of visa and entry and stay regulations, it tells you which safety precautions to take at your destination, and whether there are any active travel warnings, or no-go zones.
Taking into account the state of the world today, there’s just no better free, open-to-all travel tool to have in hand.
