Hi, My husband and I are flying into Munich arriving Monday, April 23rd in the am. Using public transportation. Will be spending day/night in Munich. Taking train to Salzburg on Tuesday. Spending day and night in Salzburg, using public transportation. Train to Mauthausen Concentration Camp on Tuesday and back to Salzburg?? This is the question...we don't need to go back to Salzburg from Mauthausen. We will be headed to northern Italy via public transportation and would love a recommendation on a Italian border town it would make sense to take the train to and then pick up a rental car in Italy. We plan on touring the Dolomite Region for a few days, Tuscany, ending up in Florence where we would drop the rental car and fly out on Thursday May 3rd. Called AutoEurope agent. She said getting a car in Munich on April 24th and dropping on May 1st in Florence would cost $375 base fee plus $540 International drop fee. If we got car in "any town in Italy" per agent on the 26th and dropping off in Italy, it would cost $575 base fee with full insurance. We are confused about how to figure out how much it would cost us in trains to get from Munich to Salzburg to Mauthausen down to a border town in Italy. If it is close to a wash financially, would you go the public transportation route until we hit Italy? Our flights are the only thing set. We are flying free on miles and can not change that part of the itinerary. Appreciate any advice. Thanks again. Julie
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32201 posts
Julie, After your visit to Mathausen, one possibility would be to travel back to Salzburg and then continue to Bolzano (~4-5 hours, one change at Innsbruck depending on which train you choose). You could either stay in Bolzano, or rent a car there and continue into the Dolomites (perhaps Castelrotto). As you would be renting in Italy, there likely wouldn't be an exorbitant drop charge. As you're planning to drive in Italy, are you aware of the usual "caveats" that apply? If not, post another note for further details. Happy travels!
Posted by
OP
Glen Ellyn, IL, United States
3 posts
Hi Ken,
I think we will take your advice and train back to Salzburg and train to Bolzano. Would you have any thoughts on staying in Innsbruck vs. Bolzano? We could stay the night there and train on to Bolzano the next day, get rental car and then head over to the Dolomites. I am going to research those towns and prioritize...time for evening in Innsbruck or get to Italy and be one step closer to starting our Italian leg. We would have 7 days to travel around northern italy if we were in Bolzano that night vs. Innsbruck. Always appreciate people's opinions as I am a first timer. Thanks, Julie