Hello, I have a trip planned for August Rome>Munich>Paris. I was hoping to do a day trip or two between cities, particularly Salzburg between Rome and Munich. After looking up trains, it seems the Rome to Salzburg leg is inconvenient. Would you advise renting a car? I have some preferred status with Avis and that way could make a stop in Venice as well. Any concerns I should be aware of or reasons I should reconsider?
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
ViaMichelin shows driving to take almost 10 hrs (9:42), and that doesn't include stops for food and potty, which you can do on the train, or fuel, which you don't have to do with the train, or stops to look at scenery, which adds time. Plus, that's 10 hours of driving, which has to be stressful. Additionally, the cost of tolls and fuel is estimated to be €189 with a compact car. Meanwhile, the German Rail website shows a connecton via Bologna and Innsbruck in about the same time with just two train changes (I'd hardly call that inconvenient). With advance purchase, you can get the Bologna to Innsbruck segment from Austrian Rail for only €39/p. BTW, if you want to stop off in Venice, there is a connection from Venice to Salzburg with a modern Austrian Rail intercity bus between Venice and Villach, AT, and an IC from there to Salzburg, seven hours, one change, fares starting at €29 (again, I saw €39 for Aug 16).
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10605 posts
One big concern should be the hefty drop off charge for renting in one country and returning in another. If you want to see Salzburg, it is an easy day trip from Munich that can be done by train. If you want to see Venice you can train from Rome to Venice, then train from Venice to Munich. Otherwise I would fly from Rome to Munich.