I am traveling with my husband and 23 year old son at the end of September to Austria and Italy. We are spending 3 days in Hall/Innsbruck then will take the train to Bolzano and drive to Ortesei. The trains from Innsbruck to Bolzano are confusing me a little. I prefer the most direct route, without changing trains, if possible. For this leg of our trip, ease and expediency are more of a concern than cost. Does anyone have any suggestions for trains that go direct from Innsbruck to Bolzano or any insight on that train route that might be helpful?
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
2149 posts
There are two choices: either a leg of the EC international trains from Munich to Italy, and this way you do not change trains; or a local Austrian train to Brenner followed by a local Italian train. The change in Brenner can be a little confusing as Austrian local trains arrive/depart from the northern end of the station from dedicated tracks. Nothing impossible, however.
There isn't a choice of routes, as the only route is over the Brenner pass.
I assume you want to go to Bolzano and rent and drive from there. It could be possible to rent and drive from Brixen/Bressanone that is closer to Ortisei than Bolzano, that could save you about one hour; or take buses from Brixen/Bressanone or Chiusa/Klausen.
Posted by
Maryland
1256 posts
The Brenner Pass which is between Innsbruck and Bolzano has been a main route across the Alps since the Stone Age. Otzi the 5,000 year old "Ice Man" whose body was discovered in a glacier recently was found just east of this pass. His frozen body can be seen in the Bolzano Archeological Museum. Anyway, go to OEBB.at for the Austrian train planner. All trains through this part of the Alps go through the Brenner pass. The trip takes about 2 hours and costs about 27 Euros per person. You don't mention your plans in the Dolomites, but the Bolzano Bus station is 50 m north of the train station and you can catch a bus to Ortisei also for about 10 euros per person. The bus ride takes about an hour through a really twisty valley.
Here is the South Tirol tourism website:
https://www.suedtirol.info/en/en
Gillian Price has excellent hiking guides to the Dolomites if that is one of your interests.
Posted by
Chicago
1458 posts
Looking at thetrainline.com, there are 0 connection trains at 9:24, 11:30, 1:30, 3:30, 5:30pm
just about every day. Not sure what is confusing you.