We are taking a train from Venice into Garmisch and then we will pick up a rental car for our time in Germany. Car rental rates are SO much better if we get the car in Garmisch versus Innsbruck. Right now I see an 8:50 train from Venice into Garmisch, but when I look at our May 27 date, the train itinerary adds on a bus into Garmisch.
Is this a normal change because of the summer season ?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16409 posts
They show the bus for just a week beginning 22 May. After that it is back to a train as usual. The bus just goes from Scharnitz to G-P so maybe there is track work scheduled. Nothing to worry about; you will get there just fine.
Posted by
OP
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1166 posts
I hope so ! I thought I was seeing things when I pulled the May 27 date up and saw all of the different connections !
Posted by
OP
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1166 posts
We always buy tickets at the station. If there are 4 of us, is there a ticket we should buy early ?
What are group tickets and lander tickets ??
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8176 posts
You're right about rental cars being very expensive in Innsbruck. Wouldn't you take a train to Innsbruck (from Venice) and catch a train from there? Don't forget that you've got to pay an Austrian road tax to be able to take the car on the autobahn in Tirol. It's just about impossible to negotiate the region without the sticker. Last time I was in the area, I avoided Switzerland, as they also have a road tax sticker requirement. What a bummer.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19118 posts
If you expand the 8:50 connection (red '>' at left hand end of line), you'll see that Scharnitz to Garmisch is "Bus SEV" and the next line says "Bus substitution". The track is temporarily closed (some days, May 22-29) and they are busing you to Garmisch. SEV means "rail substitute means of transport". The Bahn does this all the time when they are doing track maintenance.
Posted by
OP
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1166 posts
Lee- Is this a ticket we can buy now for the 4 of us?
Do you go to oebb.at or bahn.de?
Posted by
OP
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1166 posts
I am looking at taking the train into Germany to avoid extra fees !
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19118 posts
You can purchase the ticket from the Bahn website starting Feb 25. You could probably purchase it for full fare sooner by calling the Bahn. The OEBB website doesn't show that ticket as being purchasable online, probably because the trip start and end outside Austria. You could make two purchases, one Venice to Innsbruck and then Innsbruck to Garmisch, but why not just use the Bahn website?
Posted by
OP
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1166 posts
Thanks ! I will post it on my calendar so I don't forget !