Vienna to Rome by train

The ÖBB Nightjet is the only direct train from Vienna to Rome. It runs overnight from Wien Hauptbahnhof to Roma Tiburtina in about 14 hours.

Night train or daytime trains

The Nightjet leaves Wien Hbf in the evening and calls at Wien Meidling, Graz, Klagenfurt and Villach before it crosses into Italy. Early next morning it stops at Bologna Centrale and Firenze Campo di Marte, then reaches Roma Tiburtina mid-morning. For most people it is the better choice. You sleep through the long Alpine stretch and arrive with most of the day ahead.

There is no direct daytime train. The quickest day trip takes about 11.5 hours with one change. A morning ÖBB Railjet from Wien Hbf runs via Villach and Udine to Venezia Mestre, where a Trenitalia Frecciarossa takes you on to Roma Termini in the evening. Other daytime journeys go via Innsbruck and Bologna with two or more changes. They take 12 hours or longer.

Which Rome station you arrive at

The night train and the day trains arrive at different stations. The Nightjet ends at Roma Tiburtina, in the east of the city, and does not call at Termini. The Frecciarossa from Venice arrives at Roma Termini, in the centre, where Metro lines A and B meet. Tiburtina is on Metro line B, which also runs to Termini. If a booking page shows only "Rome", open the train details and confirm the station before you pay.

Sleeping options and running days

This route uses the new-generation Nightjet. You can book a seat, a couchette, a Mini Cabin for one person or a sleeper compartment, and the top sleeper category has its own bathroom. Couchette and sleeper tickets include breakfast.

Up to 12 December 2026 the train runs every night. For departures from Vienna on 6, 7, 8, 14 and 15 November 2026, it runs later through Italy and reaches Roma Tiburtina around midday the next day.

The 2027 timetable starts on 13 December 2026 and is still provisional. It keeps the evening departure from Vienna. It also shows no Rome Nightjet on some dates between January and early April 2027 and from 2 to 17 November 2027, and none at all from 5 May to 4 September 2027.

Tickets and Interrail reservations

Every Nightjet ticket includes a reserved seat, couchette or bed. The cheapest Sparschiene fares are limited on each train and not always offered in every category. They go on sale up to six months ahead and are often lower from Monday to Thursday. Book early if you have a particular cabin in mind.

An Interrail pass covers the Nightjet, but each pass holder pays a compulsory reservation fee. The fee moves with demand, starting at €4.90 for a seat and €29.90 per person for a Mini Cabin or a place in a four-berth couchette. Pass places are limited. Reserve before you board, because buying on the train adds a service charge.

By day, a pass needs two extras. The Railjet into Italy carries a compulsory pass supplement, €10 in second class with the seat reservation included. The Frecciarossa from Venice needs its own compulsory reservation.

Bikes go on the Nightjet and the Railjet only with a reservation. Spaces are limited.