Summer 2025: New Rome - Marseille Night Train Connection

Written by Sophie Renassia

Published yesterday

Calling all lovers of Italy AND train travel enthusiasts: this summer 2025, the Espresso Riviera - the vintage and upscale tourist night train that we told you about in this article - will connect Rome to Marseille every weekend from July 4th to August 30th, 2025. A unique rail experience, combining retro comfort and breathtaking Mediterranean landscapes! If you've ever thought about going to Rome by train, this might be the opportunity to make the journey even more unforgettable. We'll explain everything.

An Alternative to Classic Connections Between Marseille and Rome

Unlike traditional connections between Marseille and Rome, which usually require transfers, the Espresso Riviera offers a direct journey between the two cities.

But beyond its practicality, this night train stands out from high-speed trains (such as Trenitalia's Frecciarossa or SNCF's TGVs) with its unique travel experience, focused on comfort and discovery.

A Vintage Tourist Night Train

After Nice-Milan in 2024, Marseille-Rome in 2025! Operated by FS Treni Turistici Italiani, the Espresso Riviera invites travelers to relive the golden age of great international trains. With its beautifully renovated vintage carriages, this night train feels like a journey back in time.

And its retro ambiance doesn't compromise its modernity: the experience is quite upscale, and most of the locomotives used by the company are electric.

Marseille-Rome by Night Train: Period and Frequency

In practice, the train will run from Friday, July 4th to Saturday, August 30th, 2025, with one round trip each weekend.

• From Rome Termini: departure every Friday evening, with stops in Genoa on Saturday morning, then in Nice and Marseille.

• From Marseille: departure every Saturday evening, arriving in Rome on Sunday morning.

How to get to Marseille by train for the departure? If you want to reach Marseille from Paris or Lyon, Trenitalia now offers a direct Paris-Marseille connection, via Lyon, Avignon, and Aix-en-Provence (since June 15, 2025)!

Which Cities are Served by the Espresso Riviera?

The first part of the journey - from Rome Termini station to Genoa Piazza Principe station - is in "night" configuration, with sleeping cars and couchette compartments.

From Genoa, the next morning, the train switches to "day" mode, with first and second-class carriages, and serves the following stations:

• Italy: Savona, Alassio, Imperia, Sanremo, Ventimiglia
• France: Menton, Monaco Monte Carlo, Nice, Cannes, Saint-Raphaël Valescure, Toulon, Marseille

What is the Comfort Like on Board the Espresso Riviera?

The Espresso Riviera offers different accommodation options:

• Sleeping cars: cabins for one or two people,
• Couchette compartments: spaces for four people, convertible into seats in "day" configuration.

Makes you want to eat there, doesn't it?

For dining, a restaurant car and bar service are available during the journey. Meals (dinner and breakfast) are included for night travelers, and lunch is offered to first-class passengers on the daytime portion between Genoa and Marseille.

And if you plan to explore Rome by bike, good news: the train accepts bulky luggage, including bikes and sports equipment.

How Much Do Tickets for the Espresso Riviera Marseille-Rome Cost?

You can find tickets from €44.90 for a one-way trip! However, we advise you to book quickly as this seasonal line is highly anticipated: seats are likely to sell out fast and prices may increase.

When and Where to Book Tickets for the Marseille-Rome Night Train?

Reservations will open from May 24, 2025 on the FS Treni Turistici Italiani website (unfortunately only available in Italian or English), by email (info@fstrenituristici.it) or by phone (+39 337 1481776) from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 1 pm.