South Tyrol's New ETR 160 Train Now Links Mals and Meran

South Tyrol’s new Alstom ETR 160 “Coradia Stream” electric trains entered regular passenger service in June 2026 on the Vinschgau Valley line, connecting Mals (Malles) in the far western valleys with Meran (Merano), the region’s spa capital. The trains replaced older diesel stock on the route, which was newly electrified as part of a cross-border rail modernisation programme shared between Italy and Austria.

The ETR 160 sets are 127.9 metres long, seat 381 passengers, and run at up to 160 km/h. Crucially, they carry around 200 percent more passengers per trip than the units they replace — a significant upgrade for a corridor that serves both daily commuters and hikers accessing the Vinschgau’s mountain trails and cycling routes.

From a visitor’s perspective, the new trains matter because the Mals–Meran corridor opens up one of Italy’s least-visited alpine regions to convenient day trips. From Meran, travellers can connect into the broader Dolomites area or take regional services toward Bolzano and the main Brenner rail axis. By December 2026, the ETR 160 is scheduled to extend cross-border service to Innsbruck in Austria, making it possible to travel between South Tyrol and Tyrol without changing trains.

Tickets are available at station machines and through the STA Südtirol network. Bicycles are welcome on board, which is particularly useful given the Vinschgau’s reputation as a cycling destination. The line’s stations include Schlanders, Laas, and Naturns — small towns with direct access to walking trails and gorges that most visitors to Italy never reach.

Our getting around Italy guide covers inter-city rail options, high-speed services, and regional passes that can be combined with the South Tyrol network, while Italy in June outlines current weather, travel conditions, and what to expect across the north of the country this month.