Italian
Trainline captures the revival of cross-Alpine travel: 84% of Italians choose the train for comfort, relaxation, and emotional value. On September 18 and 19, an immersive Paris-themed installation will be held at Milan Central Station.
MILAN – The train is once again at the heart of Italian travel experiences. Data from Trainline, a leading platform for booking train and bus journeys, reveal a 71% increase in passengers on the Milan–Paris route in September 2025 compared to April.
This trend is part of a broader resurgence of interest in cross-Alpine connections: Paris–Milan sees a +58% increase in travelers, while both Paris–Turin and Turin–Paris report a +25% rise.
According to a study conducted by Trainline in collaboration with Doxa, the choice of train travel is motivated not only by convenience (50% for comfort and 47% for cost) but also by the desire for a more relaxed and mindful experience: 48% of Italians see train travel as a “stress-free break,” and 31% associate it with tranquility. Particularly notable is the perspective of Gen Z, who recognize a strong emotional value in train journeys (22% compared to 17% of Millennials).
The passion for slow and authentic travel is also linked to nostalgic gestures: 61% of Italians have sent a postcard in recent years, while Gen Z is rediscovering it as a special way to share experiences (26%) and tell the story of the places that impressed them most (20%).
To celebrate this renewed enthusiasm for train travel and the destination Paris—considered “unmissable” by 73% of Italians—Trainline is bringing the City of Light to Milan with an immersive installation at Central Station on September 18 and 19 (Galleria delle Carrozze, Savoia side). Visitors can collect limited-edition illustrated postcards by artist Helga Aversa, participate in the “With Love Wall,” and take selfies in a Parisian setting.
“Italians are looking for more than just a journey,” explains Andrea Saviane, Trainline Country Manager Italy. “They seek connection, meaning, moments that stay with them. From the revival of the Milan–Paris route to the return of postcards, we are witnessing a strong emotional pull toward train travel, and we want to make these experiences more accessible than ever.”
