We will be spending 4 days in Venice & Florence and the need to travel to Frankfurt. Any advice on what kind of railpass would be best and difference between 1st vs 2nd class accomodations on the trip would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19099 posts
In the first place, Germany and Italy are not bordering countries, so you would need at minimum Switzerland or Austria (or France) to travel between them. That's a three country pass, available only in 1$t class. Even a 3 country saver pass is $389 per person ($778 for two). I believe there are less expensive ways to ticket it. If you buy an advance purchase, discounted online ticket from the German Rail website, it can be as low as €39 per person from Bologna to Frankfurt via Munich. The train leaves Bologna at 11:46 and gets to Frankfurt at 22:04. You still have to get to Bologna on an Italian Rail ticket. It's also possible to go from Venice to Frankfurt via Munich in a little over 10 hours for €39. That connection gets you into Frankfurt at 11 min past midnight.
Posted by
San Francisco
14539 posts
Susan, If you're going from Florence-Frankfurt, you'll need a 3 country Pass, (Italy, Austria, Ger.) as pointed out already. In your case presumably 4-5 day Pass? That is rarely economical, unless you just want the flexibility and are willing to take a loss...for me depends on how much. Getting the point to point tickets is the better option here. I would suggest taking the night train Florence-Munich (direct), then relax and have breakfast, after which take the Munich-Frankfurt ICE, also direct. Between Munich and Frankfurt you'll have ca. 1.5 hrs, unless you absolutely must take the immediate next train once you arrive in Munich at 0630. Getting a Pass with 6-10 days is more economical if you intend on doing long rides on major, ie., trunk lines, and also depends in which countries.