From Munich to Rome...train options?

Should I use the Bayern ticket for the German leg of the trip? No. The Bayern-Ticket would only get you to the German border - by regional trains. Keep watching the Bahn website. Sometime in the next week, they should post the schedule for Dec - June and start allowing bookings. You won't be able to book a day train completely to Rome. There is an EC leaving Munich at 9:31, arriving in Bologna at 16:20. You can get a discount fare for two adults and kids starting at 78€, although you might find lower fares sold out. Right now I see $49€ per adult for 7 Dec, with 7 and 3 yo children free. From Bologna to Rome, you will have to take an Italian train. Someone else will have to advise you about booking Italian trains. There is also a night train (CNL) from Munich all the way to Rome, but it goes through the most scenic part in the dark. Of course, on Dec 20, the night is about as long as it can be.

As a side note yes you'll be traveling through some hugely beautiful country and passing right on by without getting to enjoy it. Switzerland has spectacular scenery, and I'm sorry you won't at least be spending a day seeing it. Maybe you can fit in at least an overnight in Switzerland somewhere to break up that long trip. It would also be a shame if you whizzed right on by Venice without even taking a peek.

At that time of year you will need to anticipate potential delays because of weather. Electric trains do not do well with ice and that, sometimes, can be a problem in the winter especially if making a number of connections.

Hi Peggy. The Bologna to Rome leg is a little over two hours; if purchased in advance, it can be 29 euro or less; see trenitalia.com. Enjoy your trip!

I don't think you will be passing through Switzerland. When I took the train from Verona to Munich we passed through Austria. You have to weigh the difference between taking a long scenic train ride that could be interrupted by weather, or the ease of a shorter flight. Going through the mountains, if it it snowing hard you won't be seeing much from the train. I doubt your kids care about scenery, so think about being cooped up on the train with them for many hours.

As others noted, the main rail link between Munich and Rome does not pass through Switzerland, it goes through Austria. Visibility can be very low in December. You could always get lucky and have clear skies and sunshine, but cloudy and overcast conditions are more likely. Don't expect too much of a show. Snow has less of an effect on rail traffic than motor, but a fresh storm could slow the train down and cause some problems with connections. And if it's snowing during your trip, visibility out of your window will be near zero.

Thanks, guys!! DB finally opened up their schedule, and I was able to get it booked!