We are going to Italy and Germany next fall. We don't plan to have a car in Italy (with the exception of several days in Tuscany), but I am leaning towards having a car for our week in Germany. We are staying in a small town and although public transportation is available, it could eat into much of our time using it. I have family in Germany who plan to join us and they agree that a car would be beneficial to us. Unfortunately, they don't drive as they live in a city. I figured we would rent once we arrived in Germany, but I decided to compare that cost to the cost of renting in Verona and driving to Germany. I was shocked to see the prices were comparable. My question then is - do we rent in Verona and make the drive, enabling us to stop where we want on the way or take the train and enjoy the scenery that way? I know we would have to factor in the cost of fuel, but we also have to consider the cost of two train tickets.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19100 posts
For Verona to Germany, you didn't indicate 1) how many people, 2) to where in Germany, 3) what fares you got. There are four ECs daily from Verona to Munich. By purchasing far enough ahead and using one of those ECs, you can get a Europa-Spezial fare of €39 per person in 2nd class to anywhere in Germany.
Did you account for the "drop" fee for picking up the car in Italy and leaving it in Germany?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
313 posts
You don't indicate how long your trip will be, but that's a factor to me.
We love the train and we also love driving, but they are two different experiences. Some thoughts:
Driving can take a lot longer than you plan for.
Trains come in varying speeds, but are relaxing, have dining cars, and you can move around.
Driving is more tiring.
If you're trying to get somewhere fast, you'll be on the expressway and not see as much.
If you're going in a direction without an expressway, you'll see more and spend a lot more time.
All that to say, we like to mix it up if we have limited time. If we had time to wander, we'd probably do more driving, but would still mix in a few long train trips.
Posted by
OP
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10241 posts
Hi Lee - I knew you would be anti-driving. I did mention the cost of "two" train tickets. If we take the train we will go to Munich, then probably pick up a rental car at the station and drive to Schliersee. If we drive from Itay we could go directly to Schliersee.
I just checked the AutoEurope website again because I was really surprised when I first checked that they were not charging extra to drop off in another country. I went a little further into the reservation process and saw the disclaimer that an extra charge could apply and they would see that information separately.
I thought it was too good to be true! We will take the train to Germany.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19100 posts
You don't have to go to Munich or rent a car to get to Schliersee. There are other ways.
Last August I went from Hall (near Innsbruck) to Osterhofen (near Schliersee) by way of the Wendelstein. I did it that way because I wanted to see the Wendelstein; I wouldn't advise it just for getting from Innsbruck to Schliersee. There ARE a few buses from Kufstein, Austria (on the line from Innsbruck to Munich) to Bayrischzell and the train from there to Schliersee.
A few days later I took the train from Schliersee to Bad Tölz (via Holzkirchen) and the bus from there to Mittenwald. I'm sure you could go to Schliersee from Mittenwald; there are 53 min train connections from Innsbruck to Mittenwald every two hours.
Finally, you can get off the train to Munich in Rosenheim. From there it is 1-1½ hour by train to Schliersee via Holzkirchen.
I think it is a mistake in the Bahn website programming, but that Europa-Spezial fare from Verona doesn't seem to include the train (BOB) from Holzkirchen to Schliersee. However, the Europa-Spezial can be booked to Holzkirchen via either Munich or Rosenheim. If the ticket does not include Holzkirchen to Schliersee, that is a €5,- per adult ticket on Bayerische Oberland Bahn (BOB).
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
As far as driving from Verona goes. Once you get on the Autostrada going north, it's pretty straightforward driving. Driving in town anywhere in Italy is always an interesting challenge without a GPS.
Posted by
OP
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10241 posts
We decided to take the train. We will possibly get a car in Germany for the freedom and ease of getting around. We are staying in a small town. I am sure the drive from Italy - Germany would be a lot of fun (I do love to drive) but I discovered that the price I was seeing did not include the drop off charges. I should have known it was too good to be true!