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Scenic Rail Routes (Italy-Germany and Italy-Austria)

I have the option of taking one scenic route between Rome and Munich or Venice and Vienna. I have heard that both routes are fairly scenic but i am curious if one stands above the other? Has anyone had any good / bad experiences? Will i miss quite an enjoyable ride if i take the night train? If i could pull off both routes, would it be worth my while.

Rome-Munich (via Verona)
supposedly quite scenic between Verona and Munich especially near the Brenner Pass.

Venice-Vienna
supposedly quite scenic at the Semmering portion in Austria.

Posted by
1358 posts

Get a good topographical map of the area and determine which route goes through the most mountainous region.

You might also go to your public library and browse several travel guides.

Posted by
10344 posts

You'll get more mountain for your money on the Brenner Pass route, the rail route tops at about 4700 ft above sea level, low by Alps standards but that's the nature of train tracks, they have to stay down in valleys where the grades are gradual enough. So you don't get the jaw-dropping mountain views you'd get in the Lauterbrunnen Valley.