I will be in Munich later next month, and wondering about travel between there and Florence, Italy. I'm getting rather confused with the offerings on the national websites. There seems to be no easy routes between the two.
Also, does it help to pay in advance online, or just at the station?
Thanks for the help!
Mitch
There are 3 ways:
1) Fly
2) Drive, but if you are using a hire car and returning a German hire car in Italy this will involve a large surcharge.
3) Train.
From your last comment, I guess you have decided on train, but don't exclude flying.
www.bahn.de tells me this will take about 8 hours, and involve a change in Bologna, possibly other places as well. That looks an easy enough route to me.
Booking online in advance (ASAP) will be cheaper than waiting until you can get to a DB station. As you are starting in Germany, I would book at least the first train from Munich to Bologna on www.bahn.de Whether you book the whole trip on www.bahn.de or split it and book the Bologna to Firenze portion on www.trenitalia.com depends on who gives the best prices.
But (big but), train times in Italy change on 12th June. The last I heard it was not yet possible to book Italian domestic trains after 12th June. You may have to wait.
I'm not sure whether it's the best or the cheapest option, but a quick search with the German railways www.bahn.de/p_en/view/index.shtml gave for a random date in June a civilised connection: depart from Munich at 9.38, arrival in Bologna at 16.20, and within half an hour the connecting train to Florence, which takes some 30 mins. Advance buying for EUR 79.
Just to confirm. I did the Munich to Bologna train trip 2 years ago - in May - nice trip through the Brenner Pass -- departed 9:30 am arrived Bologna 4:20 pm. That part of the trip was booked in advance through DB Bahn. When I got to Bologna I just walked to the Italo desk and booked a ticket on the next train to Florence - arriving 5:30pm.
Easy - a whole day but no airport hassles!
This route happens to be one that still offers an overnight train. Here's the info below.
München Hbf dep leaves at 21:08 Train number CNL 485
Subject to compulsory reservation , limited , 2nd class only seated accommodation , Sleeping-car , Couchettes , snacks and beverages available from sleeper/couchette attendant , City Night Line
+ 1 Day
Firenze S.M.N. arrives at 06:07
Its direct. Not sure what day you are traveling but it looks like it runs daily except July 16th.
Please note
runs daily, not 16. Jul
Border crossing: Kufstein, Brennero/Brenner
Hope that helps. You can also train during the day if you prefer.
I'd have a tough time deciding between a day train and that night train. The scenery would be awesome through the mountains, but the night train would be an interesting experience. I wouldn't fly, but that's just me.
But (big but), train times in Italy change on 12th June. The last I heard it was not yet possible to book Italian domestic trains after 12th June. You may have to wait.
Italian mainline Freccia trains are scheduled and bookable. They are about the only trains available between Bologna and Florence as it is essentially one long high speed tunnel. There is at least one train every 30 minutes.
I would think it's pushing 350 miles on the ground, but it's a very beautiful ride thru Southern Bavaria, Tirol and Northern Italy via the Brenner Pass.
Check on airfares on Transavia or Air Dolomiti from Munich to Florence.
Thank you ALL for these great tips! I think I'll just take the train from Munich to Bologna, then another to Florence.
Thanks again! Mitch
