I am traveling with my two children, 9 and 13, this summer. We will mostly be in Italy but have 4 days to explore Salzburg and the sights in southern Germany; then we fly out of Munich.
What's the best way to do this? I have looked at taking a train from Venice - Salzburg (7 hours), spending two days in the area, then renting a car in Freilassing and driving around Germany, dropping off the car at the airport. Do you think this is the best use of our 4 days? I hate to spend a full day on the train, but could possibly take a sleeper to Munich instead of going to Salzburg first?
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
An afternoon train ride will get you to a night at Innsbruck, then on to Salzburg, and finally to Munich. Four days is not long enough to be getting a car for leisurely exploring.
Posted by
Green Bay
21195 posts
The night train (there are 2 actually) from Venice stops at Salzburg before going on to Munich, so you could get off there. Problem is one from Venezia S. Lucia drops you in Salzburg at 4 am, not a good idea. The other will require a connection in Padua on a regional train from Venezia S. Lucia, then the night train drops you in Salzburg at 6:15, a little more of a decent hour, but still early. The Nightjet trains have 3 person sleeping compartments, I believe. Kids might get a kick out of it, even if you don't.
Since hotels are expensive in Venice, it can be cost effective way to spend an extra day in Venice and saving a little on a hotel room. One thing, the Regionali train schedules are not listed yet, and probably won't be until close to the June 10 schedule change that happens twice a year in Italy. So you will not see the complete route until then. But you can buy the Padua-Salzburg leg now. That's the important one.