Train from Munich Germany to Vernazza Italy

First, German Rail shows the shortest route (timewise, 11 hrs) route as Munich to Bologna to Parma to LaSpezia to Vernazza. Via Milan is over an hour longer.

Please tell me what is the link/site where you found that information? Thank you.

That was the German Rail website, the only authority on schedules in Europe.

Lori, As Lee mentioned, he was using the German rail website, www.bahn.de (it's one of the best resources for planning rail travel in Europe). When you arrive in Munich, you might stop by the Euraide office in the Munich Hbf. They have English-speaking staff and will be able to help you with tickets for the trip from Munich to Vernazza. For that particular trip, I'd use a train departing Munich at 07:31m, arriving Vernazza at 19:25 (travel time 11H:54M, three changes at Vernona, Milan and Monterosso). There's another train with a slightly shorter travel time (11H:06M) departing at 09:31. Part of the reason for the long travel times, is that there are "layovers" of an hour or so at some stations. Happy travels!

I will check out that site- thank you both. Another question: Is train travel similar to planes where if you book the entire voyage at one time (even though you switch trains) it is one fee? Or if we are going to stop in Milan should we spend the night and enjoy Milan? Or will it be much more expensive to do it that way? Will I need to decide this when I book the first leg of the trip? Should I do that before I leave the US or when I get to Munich? I don't want to find out the train is full and be stuck in Munich when I have reservations in Italy. Thank you very much for your help. Lori

The German ticket agent will sell you a ticket from Munich to Vernazza. You will receive one ticket for each train you will be on. Thus, you could end up with 4-5 separate tickets. Likewise, the Italian agent can sell you a ticket from the CT to Zurich or even Paris or Amsterdam. All of the different countries and country rail systems seem to have this worked out. There are exceptions such as Italy to the Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland. The Italian train system cannot see it on their screens. But there should be no problems with your journey.

Even if a German train is "full", you can still ride it. You just might have to stand until a seat opens up. I have never been on a German train in which all seats were reserved, although I have been on trains that were standing room only. My fault for trying to ride a train after a Bundesliga game.

Lori, "I don't want to find out the train is full and be stuck in Munich when I have reservations in Italy." Trains are rarely completely full, unless it's a holiday weekend or other special occasion. In any case, if one is full there will be another train along shortly. If you purchase your ticket in Munich when you arrive there, you'll likely have reserved seats so you won't have to be concerned with the train being "full". Your ticket will specify the Wagen (Car No.) and Sitzplatz (Seat No.). You might find it helpful to download the free PDF Rail Guide from this website. Click the "Railpasses" tab at the top of the page. You may also enjoy having a look at a this Rail Tutorial from Rick. Cheers!

I was going to ask about the need to pre-purchase a ticket from Munich to Berlin but I think this thread answered most of the questions I had. Thanks to all for the information you've given Lori. I found it useful, too.