Info on train from Venice to Munich

Posted by Michael (Vancouver, WA, usa) on 04/20/14 07:03 PM

We are leaving Venice on April 30, and want to arrive midday or early evening the same day. According to the train chart on the website, it can be done for about $95 each in 7 hrs. That sounds perfect. I think traveling during the day would be nice to enjoy the Alps, etc.

Not sure how to check on schedules. I've floundered around websites, and not hitting the right tabs, I guess. I know if I show up at the train station in Rome or Venice later on, they can do it all pretty instantly. I just wanted to have some ideas on what time I would have to leave Venice to arrive in Munich at a reasonable hour. We have reservations in Munich for a hotel very near the train station; I just want to be able to arrive at an hour that the hotel will be able to expect and accept.

Any tips?

Posted by Zoe

Toledo, Ohio, US

04/20/14 07:38 PM

11613 posts

Check the trenitalia.com or bahn.de websites for schedules and fares (you can buy tickets instantly online).

Posted by Joan

Gettysburg, PA, USA

04/20/14 09:04 PM

419 posts

I think that you will find that the Munich hotels near the train station are very willing to let you store your luggage if a room is not ready when you arrive.. You can easily find a place for a cup of coffee or whatever if you have to wait a bit. It's really not a problem.

Posted by Harold

New York, NY, USA

04/20/14 09:05 PM

11294 posts

The best site to use for schedules is Bahn (German rail), following Rick's tutorial: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/db_tips.htm

Since this train ends in Germany, you should also be able to buy tickets on bahn.de, and there should be a discount for advance purchase (be sure to put in the correct number of travelers, as there's usually a discount for more than one person traveling together). You print out the ticket at home (even though it says to use A4 paper, 8.5 x 11 works fine), then show the ticket and the credit card used to buy the ticket to the conductor on the train.

If you can't buy it online for home printing on bahn.de, don't buy it there; since you are starting in Italy, you cn't pick it up at a German train station. Instead, you will have to buy it on the Trenitalia website. This one has been harder to use, and some have had better luck with PayPal instead of a credit card. Here's one tutorial: http://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm#How%20to%20use%20Trenitalia.com

Posted by Harold

New York, NY, USA

04/20/14 09:07 PM

11294 posts

And Joan is right; hotels do not have a problem storing your bags if your room is not ready (apartments are another matter). A small hotel does want to know when you're arriving, to make sure there will be someone on duty to check you in (at small places the desk is not always staffed 24 hours a day).

Posted by Laura

Rick Steves' Europe

04/21/14 05:06 PM

16899 posts

Following the link that Harold provided (to the German web site) is the easiest way to buy tickets for the trains that are operated by Germany. If the 13:35 departure can work for your schedule, it is the only daytime direct train, no connections, and easy to buy on that site, currently for 69 euros per person advance-discount price, and gets you into Munich at 8:20 p.m. Bring a lunch with you to eat on the train.