Italy has launched a new vintage train service unlocking access to one of Tuscany’s most coveted yet hard-to-reach destinations: the UNESCO World Heritage Val d’Orcia region. The new route taps directly into post-pandemic wanderlust for slow travel and authentic experiences, connecting Rome to landscapes that inspired Renaissance painters and continue to define Tuscan dreams.
The Siena Express, operated by FS Italian Tourist Trains, will run on three select weekends this fall aboard meticulously-restored 1970s Gran Confort carriages.
“The train is not just a means of transport, but a real journey into the soul of Tuscany,” according to FS Treni Turistici Italiani. “It is a unique opportunity to slow down, connect deeply with the beauty of the landscape, and savour the most authentic essence of this region.”
The service creates the perfect weekend escape: trains depart Rome’s main station, Rome Termini, at 7:42 a.m. on Sept. 27, Oct. 4, and Nov. 1, arriving in Siena at 1:20 p.m. After an overnight stay to explore the medieval streets and world-class cuisine, return journeys leave Siena at 3:05 p.m. the following day, arriving back in Rome at 9:03 p.m., creating the ideal Saturday-to-Sunday getaway.
Along the way, the route winds through the dramatic Argentario coast before reaching the rolling, cypress-lined hills of Val d’Orcia—the iconic golden wheat fields that epitomize Tuscany but have remained frustratingly difficult to reach without a car. The train stops in historic towns, including Tarquinia, Capalbio, Orbetello, Grosseto, Montepescali, Monte Antico, Buonconvento, and Monteroni d’Arbia, each offering a glimpse into authentic Italian life away from tourist crowds.
The Gran Confort carriages, originally created for the prestigious Trans Europe Express international daytime connections in the 1970s and 1980s, were designed with luxury airlines in mind. Featuring reclining seats decked out in velvet, lounge areas, and double-glazed panoramic windows, these carriages have been restored to preserve their original elegance.
An onboard bar service will serve coffee, aperitifs, and snacks. Bulky luggage like bicycles and sports equipment is also easily accommodated on the train.
Tickets are available through the Railbook platform starting at €29 (about $33.99), a fraction of the cost of sought-after luxury trains like the Orient Express, which can run thousands of dollars per person. And while not directly comparable to those ultra-premium experiences, the Siena Express offers travelers an authentic taste of vintage train life without the astronomical price tag.
The launch aligns with Italy’s broader push toward sustainable tourism and authentic travel experiences. And for the first time, the Siena Express offers a genuine taste of Italy’s rail heritage while unlocking a region that has long required tedious car rentals or complicated bus connections.
