My 16 year old son and I are booked on a 10 day tour of Venice, Florence, and Rome to start on May 31. We are planning to do a pre-tour with 3-4 days in the Dolomites. I’ve read the many entries here on the forum. Our plan is to travel to Bolzano by train and rent a car for just one of the days there so we can see some of the other sites. So my question…I’m considering starting our trip by flying into Munich and taking a train to Bolzano from there, mainly for the scenery as this is our first trip to that part of the world. Any thoughts on this? Is it more of a headache to travel through multiple countries in the age of COVID? Are we better off flying into Venice?
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11818 posts
As far as Covid issues go, by May, who knows, but we flew into Germany last August with no problems and the next day took a train to Switzerland, again, no issues. Nor were there issues going from Switzerland to Italy a month later. We did 5 countries in 10 weeks with a little stress but no problems. Things are for more open now. Could they become restrictive again? No one knows but I doubt it as long as you are vaccinated, boosted, and will wear a mask if required.
Munich to Bolzano is a fine train trip, about 4 hours. Where, exactly, are you planning to go in the Dolomites? It's a huge area.
Posted by
OP
Bell Buckle, TN
6 posts
We plan to stay in Ortisei and see all we can from that area using public transportation. I’ll rent a car so we can see Lago di braies and Tre Cime.
Posted by
Bay Area, California
1658 posts
I don't know if it's worth the hassle of renting a car for one day. From Bolzano, you can take the frequent buses to various places.
Posted by
5 posts
We have taken the train from Bolzano to Munich quite a few times! The reverse should be as easy! When you arrive in Bolzano you can take the #170 bus to Castlerotto/Kastelruth and onto Ortisei. We stayed at hotel Zum Wolf in the center of Castelrotto. Fabulous breakfast! The hotels will give you bus passes to take to Ortisei or Alpe di Siusi to start your daily hikes! This does not include the bus to Compatsch.
We are wanting to add Tre Cime this year as well as Castelrotto but decided not to as car rental prices are sky high and not very convenient in this part of Italy.
Posted by
OP
Bell Buckle, TN
6 posts
Jewel - thank you for the reply. We’re gonna pick up a car from Bolzano for a 24 hour rental so we can view the other areas. I’m afraid this may be my only opportunity, and I don’t want to miss out.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17572 posts
We did exactly this to reach the Dolomites a few years ago ( my 3rd time there). We flew into Munich and spent a night, then took the train to Bolzano the next day, on very inexpensive tix bought well in advance on Bahn.de
The Bolzano car rental pickup was at the airport, so we had to take a €10 taxi ride from train station to the airport rental site. All smooth and easy. We drove the car for a week and turned it in at Venice with no drop fee involved.