We are travelling from either Innsbruck or Verona to Ortisei in late September by train and bus. We can obviously book the train(s) in advance, but are reluctant to do so as the ticket can only be changed the day before. The problem is we cannot say whether our flight will be on time and it is therefore hard to say which train we would be able to catch. My question is, do the trains get booked out or will there likely be room to get a ticket on the day? Should we just get an advance ticket for several hours after the flight is supposed to land and hope it is on time or not bother to book in advance. I know this is a rather ridiculous question, but I do worry about these things....... We will use the Gardena Guest Pass from Bolzano to Ortisei for the bus, which can't be booked in advance, so that is also a worry. I have looked at the Sudtirol Clever Transfer, but that is really expensive, so would rather get the train! Thanks for your help.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
9559 posts
There are regional trains all day long from Verona to Bolzano
Regional trains can’t sell out, no seat assignments, price never changes
No need to purchase in advance
Use the official site or app
https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
There are also regional trains from Innsbruck to Bolzano (Trenitalia)
Posted by
525 posts
you kept the most important part until the end! The Val Gardena Guest Pass is actually a locally branded version of the Südtirol Guest Pass and the public transport included covers the whole province - including the regional trains and some cable cars.
Your two alternatives:
from Innsbruck buy tickets on day on next train to the border station at Brenner - can be local train or the less frequent RailJet, the price is the same - €11. With the Guest Pass you don't need to pay beyond Brenner on regional trains. Most local trains don't go beyond Brenner unless you arrive quite late, when there is a 21:05 from Innsbruck to Trento, but you will need to jump out and scan the pass at Brenner (there should be time)
Usualy get off at Brenner and scan your pass on the Italian device on the platform where the next regional train south goes from, probably destination Meran, Trento or Verona. Always scan before you board with trains, and don't try to use RJ, EC or Freccia trains which need paid tickets. You probably won't need to go as far as Bozen, because there are shorter connections. You can usually change to bus at Klausen or Brixen. Use https://www.suedtirolmobil.info/en/#/ to get the best itinery for the time of day you are travelling. Get to recognise the "M with dots" logo at the top of the page, it's for the organisation who manage the regional transport. When boarding a bus scan the pass on the device by the driver. Read up on the german names for locations because they will be the ones used most on signs in that area although electronic displays will alternate with italian. Ortisei is St. Ulrich in German (and also Urtijëi in the local ladin language)
From Verona your pass is valid from Trento, but you would have to jump out and validate it on a scanner. So it may be easier to buy tickets to Bolzano (which is what it will say in Verona). Most trains will be regionals so no point in booking early, if there is a RJ or Freccia due the price difference to Bolzano won't be massive - check which is first before buying, or ask at the counter.. At Bozen it's probably easier to get the bus straight away, out of main exit and turn right.
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
2142 posts
I was often reported, and a couple of times personally witnessed heavy crowding on the EC trains between Munchen/Innsbruck to Italy in August. But maybe in late september could be better.