Capturing The Art Of Living

ITALY’S TRENITALIA BEGINS A NEW NIGHT TRAIN SERVICE

Italy is rapidly expanding its highly successful rail service. Italy’s national railway Trenitalia announced a new high speed Milan – Lecce Overnight Service.

The Schedule

Launched in June 2024 and operated by Frecciaroosa between Milan in the north and the Puglia city of Lecce in the south. Trains depart from Milan at 22:45 with stops in Milano Rogoredo, Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna Centrale, Foggia, Barletta, Bari Centrale, Monopoli, Fasano, Ostuni, and Brindisi before arriving in Lecce at 07:57. The return service will leave Lecce at 09:05 and arrive at Milano Centrale at 07:35.

The Cost

The Milan-Lecce Overnight Service is only available on Fridays and Saturdays. The entire trip will take a little over nine hours. For a roundtrip journey, you will need to plan for at least a one week stay in Lecce. Fares start at €39 for FrecciaYoung passengers. Super economy tickets start from €55 for a full paying adult. Business Class is available as well.

The low prices do come with a few trade-offs. The trains lack cabins, which means you will need to sit upright for the duration of the journey (although Business Class does offer bigger seats and free WiFi). Additionally, there is no dining car, however, a bar offering snacks, sandwiches and drinks is available (complimentary snacks are available in Business Class).

Despite the lack of amenities and comfort, night trains are gaining in popularity. For those traveling on a budget, night trains save on accommodation costs. For others, night trains can add additional days to their vacation itinerary.

Why Italy’s New Service

Italy’s Trenitalia CEO Luigi Corradi stated that customer satisfaction has improved over the last couple of years with the company investing in a more modern fleet of trains. Domestic demand for rail services has increased as well.

“Trains play a central role in people’s lives, not just as a means of transport, but also as a place to foster and spread a shared culture of health, inclusion and sustainability”, Trenitalia President Stefano Cuzzilla told Lecce Prima, “The Trenitalia Summer Experience allows us to offer a unique model of excellence, thanks to thousands of trains and busses moving millions of people everyday”.

About The Italian City of Lecce

One of Italy’s most beautiful cities Lecce is often referred to as the Florence of the South. Located near the tip of the Puglia region, the ancient city is famous for its limestone, honey-hued Baroque buildings known as Barocco Lecceses. Walk along the maze of narrow cobblestone streets and view the seventeenth century Basilica di Santa Croce, the sunken Roman Amphitheater, the Cathedral di Lecce, the Piazza del Duomo and much more. Don’t forget to try Lecce’s famous custard-filled pastries called pasticiotto or rustico leccese filled with mozzarella along with a caffé Leccese, a strong iced coffee with almond syrup!