The new £37 train with incredible views that connects two countries

Italian rail company Treni Turistici Italiani announced last week the launch of a new tourist rail service connecting Milan to Nice.

The service, which will run from August to September as a summer trial, promises a scenic journey along the Mediterranean coast in 6 hours and 25 minutes.

Seeking to capitalize on the “revival” of train travel, the Italian company is banking on the allure of the Riviera to attract passengers.

With ten carriages and a total capacity of 600 passengers, the journey time is “far from high speed,” acknowledged Luigi Cantamessa, Chairman of Treni Turistici Italiani, during the train’s presentation at Nice station.

However, he emphasised, “the Côte d’Azur is a dream for all northern Italians.”

The inaugural train is scheduled to depart for Nice on Saturday, August 3. The service will operate two round trips each weekend throughout the summer, with one trip on Saturday and one on Sunday.

According to a company representative, several dozen people have already booked their tickets for the first journey.

Fares start at approximately fifty euros each way, offering options including second class, first class, and a luxurious four-person ‘lounge’ that can be reserved privately. The journey between Milan and Nice is approximately 238 miles. 

The train, named “L’Espresso Riviera,” features a cosy restaurant car serving Italian cuisine.

French passengers will have the opportunity to enjoy a quick trip to Milan via Ventimiglia and Genoa without needing to change trains, whether they are tourists or business travellers.

“You can take a Sunday train at 5 pm in Nice, arrive in Milan at 11 pm, and be ready for your work meeting the next morning without any problems,” Luigi Cantamessa added.

This new service is part of Trenitalia’s broader strategy to expand its presence in France from 2021, through its French subsidiary operating high-speed trains between Paris and Lyon.

“Our ambition is to develop the French rail market, and this presence in Nice is crucial from that perspective,” said Marco Caposciutti, President of Trenitalia France.

Laurence Navalesi, a Nice council member responsible for border issues, said: “We have been waiting a long time for this train, which I first saw twenty years ago.

“We hope that this project will continue beyond September.”

In April, the Nice-Côte-d’Azur metropolitan area formed a cross-border alliance with the Imperia and Cuneo regions to enhance mobility between the two countries.

Agostino Pesce, President of the Nice Italian Chamber of Commerce, added, “We also need fast trains between the two countries.”

The Espresso Riviera offers a unique travel experience along the iconic coastal rail lines of the Mediterranean.

Departing from Milan Centrale, Pavia, and Genoa in the morning, the train passes through picturesque Italian towns including Varazze, Savona, Albenga, Alassio, Diano, Imperia, Sanremo, Bordighera, and Ventimiglia.

In August, the journey extends to Menton, Monte Carlo, and Nice, providing a taste of the French Riviera’s magic.

Travellers can enjoy breathtaking views of the crystal-clear sea from the large windows of their comfortable carriages.

The elegant dining car offers Italian dishes, ensuring a memorable journey.

First-class passengers will enjoy exclusive services, including breakfast and dinner in the dining car and baggage service.