Short answer: The Marseille–Rome night train — the retro Espresso Riviera run by FS Treni Turistici Italiani — will not operate in summer 2026. The operator confirmed the suspension in March 2026, blaming unresolved operational difficulties at the Ventimiglia border that stop the train continuing beyond Italy. Until it returns, you can still reach Rome from Marseille by daytime train, plane, bus or carpool.
It was one of the most charming ways to cross the Mediterranean coast: board a vintage sleeper on France's south coast, fall asleep along the Riviera, and wake up on the way into Rome. For summer 2026, though, the Marseille–Rome night train is off the timetable. Here is what happened, and how to make the same journey anyway — with every option lined up so you can pick the fastest or the cheapest for your dates.
What the Marseille–Rome night train was
The Espresso Riviera launched in 2024 on a Nice–Milan run, then was extended in 2025 to link Marseille Saint-Charles and Rome Termini overnight. It quickly built a cult following for its mid-century charm — shared couchettes, private cabins and a bar car — and for a route that hugs one of Europe's most scenic coastlines.
Southbound, the train called at Toulon, Cannes, Nice, Monaco, Menton and Ventimiglia, then rolled down the Italian Riviera via Sanremo and Genoa to Rome, a trip of around 14 hours. Its first full season was a hit: operator FS Treni Turistici Italiani, the tourism subsidiary of Trenitalia, reported more than 3,000 passengers and occupancy around 92%. Buoyed by that, it planned to triple frequency to three round trips a week for a longer June-to-September 2026 season, with shared couchettes advertised from €94.90.
Why it was suspended for summer 2026
Then, in March 2026, the operator confirmed the season was off. The sticking point is the Ventimiglia border crossing between Italy and France: unresolved administrative and technical conditions have prevented the train from running across the frontier and continuing on to the French Riviera and Marseille. Rather than launch into disruption, FS Treni Turistici Italiani put the project on hold for the year.
It is a familiar frustration for cross-border rail in Europe, where a single bottleneck — border procedures, pathing, or infrastructure works — can ground an otherwise popular service. The good news for travellers is that the Marseille–Rome corridor is well served by other modes, so a suspended sleeper doesn't mean a cancelled trip. It just means comparing your options, which is exactly what Gopaxo does on one screen.
How to travel Marseille to Rome instead
There is no single direct daytime train between Marseille and Rome, so the choice comes down to what you value most — scenery, speed or price.
By train (the scenic way)
You can still ride most of the Espresso Riviera's route in daylight by stitching regional and high-speed trains together. Take a coastal TER from Marseille along the Riviera to Nice, continue to Ventimiglia on the pretty cross-border line, then pick up Trenitalia services down the Italian coast via Genoa, or change onto a Frecciarossa high-speed train to Rome. It's a full day with a couple of connections, but the views are the reward. Compare live times and fares on Trenitalia and other operators before you commit.
By plane (the fast way)
The quickest hop is in the air: direct flights link Marseille Provence (MRS) and Rome Fiumicino (FCO) in around 1 hour 35 minutes. Once you add airport transfers, security and bag drop it's closer to half a day door to door — still far shorter than any surface option, though heavier on carbon than the train.
By bus or carpool (the budget way)
For the lowest fares, long-distance coaches such as FlixBus connect the French Riviera and Italy, usually with a change; expect a long ride but a small bill. Carpooling is another flexible option for the French legs toward the border. Neither is fast, but both can be the cheapest way south in high season.
Will the Espresso Riviera come back?
Possibly. The operator has framed 2026 as a pause, not a cancellation, and rail enthusiasts are hopeful the tourist train could return in a future season if the Ventimiglia border issues are resolved. Demand clearly exists — the line sold out fast in 2025 — and Europe's wider night-train revival keeps adding routes, from ÖBB Nightjet's expansion to new operators like European Sleeper and its Brussels–Milan night train. We tracked the whole movement in our guide to the comeback of night trains in Europe.
In short
- The Marseille–Rome night train (Espresso Riviera) is suspended for summer 2026.
- The operator, FS Treni Turistici Italiani (a Trenitalia subsidiary), blames unresolved Ventimiglia border issues.
- The 2025 season carried 3,000+ passengers at about 92% occupancy, with a tripled 2026 schedule planned before the pause.
- Alternatives: daytime trains via Nice, Ventimiglia and Genoa; a 1h35 flight from Marseille (MRS) to Rome (FCO); or budget coaches and carpool.
- The operator calls it a pause, so a future return is possible if the border problems are fixed.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Marseille–Rome night train running in 2026?
No. The Espresso Riviera sleeper between Marseille and Rome will not operate in summer 2026. The operator confirmed the suspension in March 2026, citing operational difficulties at the Ventimiglia border.
Who ran the Espresso Riviera?
FS Treni Turistici Italiani, the tourism subsidiary of Trenitalia. It launched the vintage service in 2024 on Nice–Milan and extended it to Marseille–Rome in 2025.
What was the route and journey time?
Southbound it ran from Marseille Saint-Charles via Toulon, Cannes, Nice, Monaco, Menton, Ventimiglia, Sanremo and Genoa to Rome Termini — about a 14-hour overnight trip along the French and Italian Rivieras.
How can I get from Marseille to Rome now?
By daytime train with connections via Nice, Ventimiglia and Genoa (or a Frecciarossa onward); by a direct flight of around 1h35 from Marseille to Rome Fiumicino; or by long-distance coach and carpool for the lowest fares.
How do I find the cheapest option for my dates?
Compare trains, buses, carpooling and flights side by side. A search on Gopaxo lines up every mode for your exact dates so you always see the fastest and the cheapest at a glance.
Planning a Riviera-to-Rome trip this summer? Compare your dates now and grab the best fare before the peak-season seats fill up.
