Kick off Oktoberfest early! Take Rome’s Munich Express — a night train with beer, music & Bavarian vibes. Berlin fest details inside!
For everyone who still thinks traveling is just “sit, ride, arrive” — here’s some good news: you can kick off Oktoberfest long before you even cross the Alps. The Italians — creative as ever — have launched a real night beer train, where the party starts right on the platform in Rome.
Meet the new Munich Express, a.k.a. Espresso Monaco — not just a train, but a moving pub on rails that whisks you straight into the heart of Bavarian madness: the legendary Oktoberfest. Think dancing, beer, live music, and snacks — everything included… except your conscience.
Organizers — the state-owned FS Treni Turistici Italiani — sound like they’ve had a few pints themselves:
“Forget traffic jams, boring transfers, and stress — the fun begins the moment you step on board!”
What’s on board? 🎉
Pretzels, sausages, foamy beer, and accordions — like someone decided to host a Bavarian wedding in a train compartment. Choose between a standard seat (for optimists who think they’ll sleep through the schnapps) or private cabins for one, two, or the whole family.
And the route? Gorgeous. Through Florence, Verona, Bologna, and the Alps — just open the window and breathe in the festive hops-infused mountain air.
Key Details 🗓️
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Departure from Rome: September 26 & October 3 at 20:00
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Arrival in Munich: Saturday, 14:30
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Return from Munich: Sunday at 14:30 → back in Rome by Monday, 06:30. Just in time for work… or the hangover.
If you want to hop on along the way, there are stops in Trento, Bolzano, Bressanone, Vipiteno, Fortezza, Brennero, and Colle Isarco. Just… don’t mix up your carriage after your third liter.
💸 Prices: From €99 one-way, or €89 if you book round-trip right away. Reservations via Railbook — and don’t wait, tickets are disappearing faster than beer foam in Munich.
Oktoberfest 101 🍻
For those who’ve been living under a barrel for the last 200 years: Oktoberfest is the world’s biggest beer festival, held annually in Munich. It starts (ironically) in September, lasts over two weeks, and gathers millions of people who come to… well, drink, but make it cultural.
Expect massive beer tents, hundreds of thousands of liters of lager, traditional lederhosen, “um-pa-pa” music, carousels, sausages longer than your arm, and an atmosphere that screams: “Have another one — and dance!”
Never been? You should try it at least once. Been before? Then you already know how it usually ends… and it’s not always just with selfies.
But This Year… Berlin? 🍺🕺
Yes, there’s a plot twist: Berlin is stepping into the Oktoberfest spotlight — hipster-friendly, kebab-packed, and much cheaper than Munich.
According to Thomas Cook, in 2025 many tourists are skipping Munich altogether — too pricey, too crowded, and hotels are booked six months in advance. Instead, the Berlin Oktoberfest offers the same vibe — beer, accordions, costumes, and dancing — but with friendlier prices and, importantly, a higher chance of finding a toilet without a line.
“Our clients want authentic experiences. Oktoberfest is the perfect mix of tradition and travel,” says Nicholas Smith, Digital Tourism Director at Thomas Cook.
“And while Munich is the festival’s cradle, more and more tourists are celebrating in Berlin — same traditions, just easier and cheaper. Plus, no Bavarian coffee prices.”
Interestingly, though, visitors aren’t cutting costs on accommodation — 4- and 5-star hotels are booking out faster than cold wheat beer on a Friday night.
Bottom Line: Prost, Friends! 🍻
This new beer train is your chance to crash Oktoberfest before you even hit Bavaria. While everyone else is still at the airport, you’ll already be on your third pint, accordion hunting in the hallway.
So book your ticket, pack some hangover pills, leave your conscience at home, and get ready for one of the wildest adventures of the year.
