According to Rail Europe, strong booking activity is being recorded on core
high-speed routes such as Milan – Venice and Milan – Verona. At the same time,
cross-border rail flows into Milan from major European hubs, including Paris
and Zurich, remain consistently high. These routes continue to rank among the
most frequently used international rail journeys for long-haul travellers
planning multi-city European trips.
Milan occupies a central position in this evolving travel landscape. For
many Olympic visitors, it represents the closest major international air
gateway. In parallel, the city functions as a primary rail hub connecting
northern Italy with France, Switzerland, Germany and Austria. High-speed rail
services enable travel from Milan to Venice or Verona in under three hours,
supporting efficient, rail-based itineraries that link Olympic host regions
with cultural and leisure destinations.
With Olympic venues spread across multiple locations in northern Italy, rail is expected to serve as the backbone of regional mobility during the Games. Event organisers have already identified rail enhancements as a core element of the official transport strategy for Milano–Cortina 2026, including additional capacity and extended operating schedules to support the movement of spectators and workforce between venue clusters.
Rail connectivity is also central to access to Alpine regions hosting
winter sports events. Destinations such as Valtellina are accessible via
Tirano, with rail links from Milan as well as cross-border connections from
Switzerland through the Chur–St. Moritz corridor. Recent infrastructure
upgrades on these routes have improved comfort and service frequency,
reinforcing the role of international rail in winter sports travel.
Verona, which will host the Olympic closing ceremony, is similarly well
integrated into the northern Italian rail network. Its connectivity allows
travel planners to combine Olympic attendance with wider itineraries across
Veneto and the Alpine region, positioning rail as a practical alternative to
road-based travel.
For Cortina d’Ampezzo, rail journeys are typically combined with local
onward transport from nearby rail gateways such as Calalzo di Cadore or
Dobbiaco. This model keeps rail at the core of the journey while addressing
last-mile access, with total travel times from Milan generally ranging between
five and six and a half hours, depending on connections.
“Major international events put the spotlight on the need for reliable and
seamless mobility,” said Björn Bender, CEO & Executive Chairman of Rail
Europe. “Rail plays a key role in connecting cities, regions and Alpine
destinations across borders. As the Milano – Cortina Games approach, rail-led
itineraries offer a flexible and efficient way to travel across northern Italy,
supported by strong international links and a well-developed regional network.”
For travel trade professionals, the data highlights rail’s growing
importance in Olympic-related itineraries and reinforces northern Italy’s
position as a highly connected, multi-destination region ahead of one of
Europe’s largest upcoming sporting events.
Tags: Björn Bender, Rail Europe
