Train Munich to Florence. Innsbruck over night?

Up to you. You might consider Bolzano instead, as you can get a direct train from Munich to Bolzano, then a direct train from Bolzano to Florence. From Innsbruck, you will still have to make one change to get to Florence.

Sam, good tip. We were originally thinking taking the Austria railway ‘Nightjet’ train, then realized going over the alps would be something to ‘see’, versus sleeping.

So clarify a little more? Are you taking DBB or italian trains (trenitalia, italo treno). And aren’t you changing trains either way, Innsbruck or Bolzano?

Just saying there are several direct trains from Munich to Bolzano. They are operated by OeBB, the Austrian National Railway, although they do have German crews to the Austrian border, then Italian crews after Brennero. The direct train from Bolzano to Florence are Trenitalia Freccia trains.

If you stop over in Innsbruck, then it is the OeBB train to either Verona or Bologna, then a Trenitalia Freccia train to Florence.

Got it. Thanks Sam.

IMHO opinion Innsbruck is better than Bolzano (but I like Innsbruck so much that is my favorite holiday place). It was, at a time, an imperial capital and Bolzano never was; this has left more historic sites. The religious centre of Tirol was Bressanone that is interesting as well.

The Brenner railway itinerary is moderately interesting - the Brenner is one of the lowest passes in the Alps, to the point that the railway does not need a tunnel to overcome it. The railway is very steep - this makes for a slow trip between Innsbruck and Bolzano - but there are no dramatic mountains. A friend of mine appreciated the very long valley between Bolzano and Trento, almost enterely covered with vineyards and apple trees. But, to tell it frankly, when I did need to move between Munich and Florence I flew, that is so more practical.

Thank you, Iachera. You make some good points. I’ve actually been to Bolzano several times, both as a pass-through and as a stay. Brixen/Bressanone is also quite beautiful.

The choice between flying and taking the train is always a tough one, since train travel is a very European way to get around. However, I’m not in a hurry, so I don’t mind taking the train.

Looks like you are interested in art. Innsbruck has an Hofburg (imperial palace) that is a pocket version of the Vienna one; the court church is interesting and the Ambras castle is a rare example of German reinassance (the Spanish hall is stunning). It is not too much, but it is something and enough for a quick visit. Then: some 18th century Rococo churches (but not in the very centre). I find really interesting the contemporary architecture - like the Zaha Hadid ski trampoline and funicular stop, the new city library, the Kafhaus Tyrol (a modern shopping mall perfectly inserted in a row or Rococo palaces), the Rathaus (a rococo palace converted to shopping mall!), the Penz hotel (glass building designed to reflect the antique palaces around) and several imaginative private villas.