Driving through northern Italy, Bavaria and Austria in January - Crazy?

It's all freeway travel all the way. The A22 (E45) freeway through the Brenner Pass is the most important artery connecting Italy with the rest of Europe and never closes. The Brenner pass is probably the most critical point in your trip since it's right at the highest of the Alps between the southern slope and the northern slope of the Alpine range (about 1500 mt or 5000ft a.s.l.). Occasionally however the snowfall may be so great that there might be major delays and traffic jams while the snow removal equipment clears it. Also that route is heavily used by big rigs traveling between Italy and Northern Europe, so occasionally during winter storms there might be accidents involving trucks blocking the freeway for hours. It's actually not any different from traveling in the US on I-80 between Sacramento, CA and Reno, NV or I-70 in Colorado between Denver and Grand Junction. But if you are unlucky enough to be traveling through the Brenner during a time when there is a major snowfall and they shut the freeway down temporarily while they clear it, you'll have a chance to be in the Italian TV news, because it will definitely be in the news as an extraordinary weather event. For sure you must (it's mandatory) carry chains and if I were you, especially if you want to venture outside of the freeway to visit some of the towns higher in elevation, I would definitely consider renting an SUV or at least a 4x4 car (such as an Audi or something like that). I hate having to install chains in the midst of a snow storm.

You are traveling to some pretty major cities so I imagine that the roads will be more than passable (Innsbruck, Munich and Salzburg are all major gateways to ski areas as well- another reason why roads will be cleared - tourists/skiers!). It will be like any winter traveling, be prepared for delays due to heavy snowfall, check that the car has snow tires and find out about chaining requirements (probably needed over the Brenner Pass). Also, I have found that rental cars, at least in the States, tend not come with a wind-shield scraper/brush so might be useful to get one. If you have to be back in Venice by a certain date, make sure you allow yourself plenty of time for snow delays.

Hi Rick, Be sure you have "winter tires" on the rental car. It's a MUST in Austria. I've heard this is difficult to get guaranteed in Italy. IF it's not possible to be guaranteed winter tires with a pick up in Venice, train to Innsbruck, pick up a car (w/winter tires), do your driving tour to Munich and Salzburg and return it in Innsbruck on the way back to Venice. Just a suggestion just in case. Just to clarify the Brenner Pass: It's a multi-lane highway (3 lanes each direction) and one of the lowest passes in the Alps. NO crazy turns, etc. associated with alpine passes. It's a major highway. We traveled through Austria (Munich to Innsbruck area, etc., etc.) in late November 2010. We had 4 days with some snow. It didn't have any impact on our driving. Highways especially are cleared quickly. Plan on the highways between your places of interest, but if the weather's good, you can always drive secondary roads instead. Play it by ear. Just a suggestion... IF you have a nice day and have an extra 2 hours or so from Verona to Innsbruck, take the exit for Val Gardena/Klausen Chiusa and head into and see the spectacular Dolomites. They start about 20 minutes off the A22 highway. The Gardena Pass (about 40 min. off the A22), is a spectacular drive. One of our favorites in the Dolomites. Even if you drive it halfway (to the cafe at the "top") and drive back, it's amazing. Paul

Ditto on the winter tires, they're obligatory in Germany during the winter. Although you won't need them on the autobahn network, if you decide to visit some smaller towns up in the mountains, the roads may require snow chains. If you're planning on mostly larger towns and cities on the main roads, you probably won't need them. I haven't driven on the Brenner Pass in winter, but I have in the summer. Although it does curve and move up and down frequently, all the deviations are relatively benign... ie, no steep gradients or sharp turns. I think your biggest hazard may be if the weather is clear, the scenery may distract you!