Thank you for any tips on travel from Venice to Balzano over Christmas week (December 26) for family of four. Would prefer direct train due to luggage. Recommendations for "class" also. Limited experience with train travel. Appreciate any and all suggestions.
Thank you!
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
6995 posts
Italian trains will run on a reduced schedule on Dec 26, so you will want to book well in advance. The high speed train will still require a change; probably in Verona. I dont see any direct trains. The Italian rail company is Trenitalia. Be sure to use the Italian place names when booking: Venezia Santa Lucia. Bolzano/Bozen. Tickets should be available 3-4 months in advance.
For all things to do with European trains, visit the Man in Seat 61 website.
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2904 posts
hey hey a5lson
as CJean posts, keep in mind the reduced schedule from christmas holidays and man in seat 61 website. check all venezia train stations that travel to bolzano, if changes and if not check bus (flixbus) we would pack up a picnic (meats/cheeses/bread/drinks or buy sandwiches at train station shops/deli for a long train ride (no starvin marvins) unless buy on train bar car.
many will be traveling during same time and going to many places up to bolzano & beyond. does family of 4 mean kids and their ages? do you have accomodations in venice & bolzano? book early for hotels/trains, venice will be crowded also. when booking hotel, check-in is 3-4pm and check-out is 10-11.am
look at train car/carriage, make sure not a "family car", learned our lesson coming from annecy to paris was for babies/toddlers (crying, screaming, tantrums, running up and down aisles not my cup of tea) wanted peace and quiet for ride back. pack light, make sure all 4 can carry their own bags, get train voucher stamped at machine before boarding, be ready for train, look for train # outside of train while walking platform.
good luck, need be ask more questions, will get good bad and ugly, posters are here to help/give info but do some research
aloha
Posted by
OP
32 posts
Thanks for your replies! Need more help. Train is not DIRECT. Considering FlixBus but my hotel seems FAR from the bus terminal. Is there such a thing as car service (spoiled by Uber) or should I consider a hotel closer to the bus station? If so, any recommendations for hotel (needing two rooms; traveling with teenagers)? Is it worth booking the Panorama on the bus on the upper level? Do they put luggage underneath? Sorry for so many questions but I typically do my own research and not rely on travel agents. Appreciate all your help.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8896 posts
Correct- there are no direct trains from Venice to Bolzano- you will change in Verona
That is not a big deal. It is far too early to even book this ticket- 10 months out.
The Verona station is an easy transfer. If you are worried about transfer time then book your fast trains separately so you can choose the onward train to Bolzano- give yourselves 30 minutes which is at least 15 min too much time.
Is there such a thing as car service (spoiled by Uber) or should I
consider a hotel closer to the bus station?
No Uber in Italy. You can check cost of a driver here: www.daytrip.com It will be pricey
If so, any recommendations for hotel (needing two rooms; traveling
with teenagers)?
A hotel where?? Bolzano? Venice?
Where exactly are you coming from Venice proper or Venice airport?
If you are staying in Venice before Bolzano you will need to learn how to get around Venice. The bus station in Venice is probably Piazzale Roma- take a vaporetto
Flix bus- yes luggage goes underneath
Sorry for so many questions but I typically do my own research and not
rely on travel agents.
No worries- not many folk here use travel agents for this kind of planning either.