train from Munich to Italy

What time of year? I don't know of any interesting little towns along the way. I know of interesting bigger towns (Innsbruck, Bolzano, Verona, Bologna, Florence). The interesting little towns are off to the side of that route. Ortisei (1 hour bus from Bolzano comes to mind).

Bressanone (Brixen) is quite a bit smaller than Bolzano and would be a pleasant overnight stop if you want a smaller city. If this is a summer trip, be sure your hotel has air conditioning; many in that area do not, and you may well need it.

If you change from the EuroCity or other fast train to a regional in Bressanone, you can stop in Chiusa (Klausen), which is truly a small place, and picturesque. For an overnight stop, I'd prefer one of the larger places, but a couple of hours wandering around Chiusa was pleasant.

I don't know the exact train route. Kufstein and Hall in Tirol in Austria, for sure. Vipiteno and Bressanone once in Italy. Further south and on a direct route, any place I've visited is on the biggish side, unless you sidetrack.

Just about any route through the alps will offer stunning views. One suggestion is to get from Munich to Chur in Switzerland, and then take the Bernina Express to Italy. Not the fastest way to cross the alps but it offers some great views, and you can follow the rail line in Google street view to see if you think it's worth it. https://goo.gl/maps/yaVVe5iB7qA2

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a very pleasant and attractive area to visit. Lots to see and do in the area. You could spend a few days here. We have been there twice. GAPA website . This city website is very informative and lists hundreds of accomodations in all price ranges as well as the sites and activities in the area. While there, head over to the nearby Eibsee for pretty scenery, or ride to the top of the Zugspitze. Oberammergau is nearby and you could get there by bus from Garmisch. Mittenwald is directly on the train line, south of Garmisch. It would be a pleasant stop for a few hours.

Innsbruck

Vipiteno

Trento - A bigger town/smaller city, very walkable. I really enjoyed this town. If you use Trento or Bolzano as a base there are many beautiful mountain towns that could then be reached by bus.

Riva del Garda - Get off the train at Rovereto and head over to Riva del Garda and visit some of the northern towns on Lake Garda. The scenery would be spectacular.

I love the Brenner Pass train route. I have done it several times. To me, seeing the scenery from the train is part of the trip. Love it.

Read the how-tos at the Man in Seat 61: https://www.seat61.com/international-trains/trains-from-Munich.htm#Munich-Italy

I have stopped primarily at Innsbruck and Bolzano. But thank you to the earlier poster for the recommendation for Brixen - and other smaller towns.

Note, there are faster and slower trains leaving Munich and the slower ones sometimes go through a bit more scenery (around about Mittenwald). Doubtless someone will follow this post with more specific info, but it is easily locatable on the web. If you really get into this, you can also google which side of the train to sit on for the best views, depending on your direction (N vs S).

Have a good time. Debbie

Wow! Thank you all. I now have great info to go to! We are traveling in the fall.

Hi,

If you decide to do this route by day with some deviations, I would suggest seeing Bolzen.

The other option is the night train from Munich Ost to Florence, arriving ca after 6 am, very doable if I were doing this route, then changing to Lucca. Going from Germany to Italy, Munich is the night train hub.

How much time do you have?