We're planning a three day trip to Bavaria and then will be moving on to Venice (2 days) and Florence (3 days) with a side trip to Tuscany. I'm debating whether to fly or take the train between Munich and Venice. Same with Venice to Florence (3 days). Any suggestions from anyone who may have done this? Debating whether we'd rather have the time in our destinations or seeing the scenary on the way.
Posted by
Seattle, Washington, USA
25 posts
You can save a lot of time by taking a night train from Munich to Venice. These are great and the German ones are always really nice!
Posted by
St. Louis, MO, USA
17 posts
I am going from Venice to Munich. I looked into the night train for fun. Decided with limited time in Europe I would choose a 1 1/2 hour flight over a 7 hour train trip. Had I been on a more leisurely schedule I might have done the train. Also, I found a flight on (www.touifly.com) Touifly airline for about 1/3 of the cost of the train.
Posted by
OP
Denver
40 posts
Thank you for your advice. My only worry about the night train is that my wife is a very light sleeper, otherwise that would seem to be the best pick. I'd hate to get to Venice the first day and have her red eyed and worn out from no sleep. Just not sure if the scenic ride is worth the extra time vs having that time in Venice.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1003 posts
Jon I have the same problem as you and as a result am not taking any night trains on a 6-week 10-city trip. i'm mostly flying and taking a few shorter trains during the day. You know yourself the best and if you know that taking a night train would actually harm your trip more than help, then do what you gotta do :).
fly between munich and Venice? don't know your dates but http://www.tuifly.com/en/index.html has a flight from Venice to Marco Polo that appears to run most of the days of the week for very cheap prices. Maybe check that out!
Posted by
Colorado Springs
334 posts
If you can get cheap flights, I'd fly to Venice. However, Venice to Florence isn't worth it. Sure, it takes awhile and you may need to change trains once, but Italian trains are cheap and it's part of the experience.
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
I would definitely fly from Munich to Venice and have more time there. How much scenery are you going to see overnight anyway. I took the train from Venice to Florence, about 3 hours -- a nice trip, but for anything longer I would fly, unless the logistics are too difficult. But the Venice airport is fun -- particularly fun to take a boat from there into town -- very impressive!
Posted by
Seattle, Washington, USA
25 posts
I guess I don't know how light a sleeper your wife is, but I would vote for the train. We did it in the opposite direction and those German trains are soooo nice. Plus, it is fantastic to not have to deal with airports. The train stations are so central, and then you are ready to go when you get there. The airport seems like a lot more fuss and it wastes good sight seeing time!