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Tl;dr – TrenaItalia will resume service between Paris and Milan on April 1, 2025.
If you’re planning a European adventure this summer (or late spring) with stops in France and Italy, you may consider taking the scenic route to get between the two countries. As first reported by Seat61, then broadcasted by TimeOut, Trenaitalia has revived its service from Paris to Milan via Turin. The best part about it? Tickets on the Frecciarossa – Italy’s high-speed trains that are like a Shinkansen-lite – start as low as €35. This could be a really convenient way to break up your trip, and if you’re up for stopping, check out other destinations en route between the two metropolises. Let’s dive into the details.
Paris to Milan, via Turin
Trenitalia France, a subsidiary of Trenitalia, operates the Paris to Milan service. The April 1, 2025 resumption will mark the end of an almost two-year suspension due to damaged tracks in the French Alps caused by landslides in August 2023.
The journey takes 6.5 to 7 hours, and as of now, there are three daily departures from Paris that run the full length of the route and two daily departures from Milan that end service in Paris. Here’s a look at the full timetables with stops.
Timetables – Paris to Milan and Milan to Paris – Source: Trenitalia.com
As mentioned earlier, pricing is competitive, with fares as low as €35. This is cheaper than even many of the budget carriers and doesn’t come with the calamitous airport experience.
Why is this Exciting?
So many reasons. For travelers concerned about their environmental footprint, train travel has long been seen as a more eco-conscious way to move about the planet when possible. There’s also the route itself. You’ll travel through the oft-overlooked Italian town of Turin (Turino) and the picturesque French Alps. Winter sports enthusiasts lend me your ears.
Lyon is also a stop on this route. Many people, particularly French people, claim Lyon has the best food in France.
And then there’s wine. If you’re traveling this route from Italy to Paris and you’re a fan of wine (if you’re a regular reader of this site, you know that I am), you may want to make Lyon you’re final destination as it’s only 45 minutes by car to Beaujolais, a region famous for producing Beaujolais Nouveau. This light-bodied red is one of the first wines to make it to tables each harvest year.
Lyon’s also a great place to detrain and start a road trip the rest of the way to Paris, as it’s only 2 hrs and 15 minutes from Burgundy (needs no introduction), and you’ll be treated to tons of classic French countryside views if that’s your thing. On the Italian side, you don’t want to overlook Turin. Turin is the major city in Italy’s famed Piedmonte (Piemonte) region where you can enjoy some of the best wines Italy has to offer. If you’re a fan of Barolo, Barbaresco, or other Nebbiolos, you’ll be at the prime source for hearty Italian red wines. For something lighter, there’s Barbera, Brachetto, and Dolcetto. Look out for Gavi, Cortese, Arneis, white wines, and Alta Langa in the sparkling realm. Clearly, I’m already planning a trip.
When you’re in Milan, there’s a ton one can do but don’t miss the oft-overlooked Pinacoteca where you can see amongst other gems, Da Vinci masterpieces (not to be confused with the more touristy Leonardo3 Museum), and if you need to just out there’s the QC Termemilano (tip, go early to avoid the crowd that’s doing it for the ‘Gram’).
Conclusion
I talk about planes and hotels a lot on this blog, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t highlight the return of high-speed train service connecting Paris with Milan. As the journey offers a lot of sidequests, it’s worth looking into for your next European adventure. Hat tip to Mrs. Blackbeard for putting this on my radar!
