These 2 Seasonal Holiday-themed Trains Take You Directly to Europe’s Most Legendary Christmas—Here’s What You Need to Know

It’s the most wonderful time of year—and we’re talking about the holiday market season.

This December, Italy is turning the festivities of Christmas markets into a celebration in and of themselves, with two specially-themed vintage trains that promise to make the act of getting to a market just as magical as the destination. Plus, the ride will cost just a fraction of the price of a luxury train ticket.

These festive services offer travelers a chance to experience Europe’s holiday traditions while evoking the romance of classic rail travel, complete with twinkling decorations, seasonal menus, and the kind of slow-travel nostalgia that everyone’s seeking at the moment. However, these trains will be operating on limited schedules, and tickets will go fast—so here’s what you need to know.

The Espresso Monaco

The overnight Espresso Monaco is the more ambitious option, a 17-hour journey departing Roma Termini at 7:57 p.m. on just two December weekends (Dec. 5 and Dec. 12), arriving in Munich at 1 p.m. the next day. Choose from single or double sleeping cabins, four or six-berth couchettes, or overnight seating for the more budget-conscious. ​​Tickets start at 129 euros (about $150 USD) per adult for a six-bed berth in mixed use, while tickets for children ages four to 14 are priced at 90 euros (about $105 USD). You can book tickets through the Italian train tourism site, RailBook.

The real star, however, is the Christmas Market-themed dining car, where the celebration begins long before Munich. As the train travels through cypress-dotted hills and snow-laced Alpine peaks, passengers can sing, dance, and dine from cars decorated with retro details such as red vinyl chairs and white tablecloths. Everyone receives a small gift upon boarding.

The train travels through the heart of Europe’s Christmas market corridor, with 11 stops between Rome and Munich, including Verona, Italy; Bolzano’s Piazza Walther; Innsbruck, Austria; and Kufstein, Austria. Return trains depart Munich at 1:40 p.m. on Dec. 7 and 14.

The Espresso Assisi

For those preferring daylight travel, the Espresso Assisi runs every Sunday from Nov. 30 through Jan. 11, departing Roma Termini at 8:30 a.m. Settle into blue velvet lounges or first-class compartments as you wind through seven Umbrian towns to reach Arezzo, home to the country’s biggest Tyrolean-style Christmas market.

At just 62 euros ($68 USD) round-trip, and available on the RailBook platform, the trip iss the ultimate festive European experience. During this time of year, Assisi transforms into an open-air nativity scene with stunning light projections displayed on the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. Similarly, Arezzo’s Piazza Grande transforms into a Tyrolean, festive wonderland, complete with a big, dazzling light show.

Onboard, the train has festive decorations, Christmas music, gifts for all passengers, and bar service throughout. The return journey departs Arezzo at 5:30 p.m. and arrives back in Rome at 10:42 p.m.—a perfect option for those who want a full day of markets and the ability to sleep in their own bed.

If you want to hop on board, tickets on RailBook’s website will be released in increments to ensure that travelers have multiple chances to snag a seat.