Travelling by Train from Venice to Munich

We took that ride in 2014. There will be room,however there is no security on the train & there may not be seats near your bags. So,try to get there real early and stay where you can keep an eye near your bag or pack less with smaller bags

Most long-distance trains in Europe have both luggage racks above the seats, and racks at the ends of the carriages for larger and heavier items. In some trains there may be enough space between back-to-back seats to store large suitcases as well. Hardly any trains now have traditional "luggage compartments" away from passenger accomodation. If the train is very busy you may have trouble finding a space to stow large baggage. There is ongoing disagreement on this board as to how likely theft of/from luggage from the end-of-carriage racks is. I wouldn't say it never happens but it isn't especially frequent. You can use a bike-lock type thing to secure your case to the racks but this will make you very unpopular with train staff and other passengers if they have to move baggage around to use space more efficiently. It's also worth making sure that you lock your cases securely if you have valuable items in them.

Also, don't expect anybody to give you any help carrying your luggage unless you have serious physical disabilities, and even then it would have to be arranged in advance.

Seats on fast trains are assigned, so you can't just sit where you can see your luggage. I don't worry about it any more, although I prefer the back-to-back seats with room to store a 24" suitcase on its side. Remember to keep your valuables with you, not in a stored suitcase. My daybag goes on the rack above my seat.

I suggest you book the direct EC train that leaves Venice at 1:50 pm and arrives Munich after 8 pm. You don't want to have to change trains with heavy luggage if you can avoid it. You can buy on-line at www.bahn.com up to 90 days in advance for almost a 50% discount for nonrefundable, non-changeable tickets. That should not be a problem as your plans appear to be set.
Cost now is 98 euro for 2 in 2nd class, or 138 euro in 1st class. You can also pay for a seat reservation in 2nd class for an extra 9 euro, 1st class is no charge.
If you arrive at the station 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure, you can be among the first to board the train and be sure to get choice of luggage space. 1st class will give you more room, and thus fewer people in the carriage who also need luggage space.

Oh my, 1st trip to Europe, on a cruise no-less, and don't know how to use the train. I would be very apprehensive over that, too.

You'll have fewer people in your train car (and hopefully less luggage and therefore more space) in a 1st class seat. 2 "large" suitcases. Don't know your definition of large but definitely do NOT bring the super-huge suitcases because it's already cumbersome enough to drag around "normal" size luggage.

Hopefully you're spending a few nights in Venice before you depart for Munich. Choose a hotel on Venice Island - not on the industrial mainland of Mestre. Choosing a hotel near to the train station of Venezia Santa Lucia (not Venice Mestre station) will help you have a less strenuous departure on travel day from Venice.

You'll need to learn how to read the train board of arrivals and departures. Do you know how to do that?

Hang on to your luggage at the train station, and don't let anybody "help" you carry it to your carriage. THere will be luggage storage at both ends of the carriage, sometimes a large luggage rack exists right in the middle of your carriage, and smaller luggage can fit overhead or between the seats. If you put it overhead keep a CLOSE CLOSE eye on it.

Depending on your budget and other itinerary plans, you could always take the CNL night train. It leaves Venice at 9 PM and arrives in Munich just after 6 AM. You could choose to sit in assigned standard seats, a 5 bed couchette that you share with other travelers, or you can get your own private compartment with 2 beds and a sink. This option would provide travel and accommodations for the night for one price. It also saves you a day of sight seeing since you wouldn't need to spend a good portion of a day on a train. Just an option, enjoy your trip!

Thank you all for your responses. Your information has been very helpful. I am rethinking how much I will pack for the cruise :-)

Rather than train, look at
http://www.airdolomiti.eu

Budget airline. Travel time 1hr 05 min. Prices well under train.

Make sure to review baggage allowances.

I agree with Sam that using the direct train would be preferable to using one that has several changes (although one change in Verona isn't too bad). As the others have mentioned, there are luggage racks at the end of each car to store larger items while smaller items can be placed on the racks above your seat. It's a good idea to watch luggage placed on racks to make sure it doesn't "disappear" along the way (I've seen that happen). You may also be able to store larger items in the inverted "V" between seat backs, but that will depend on the size of the luggage.

If the coach you're riding in has compartments, that will be a bit more problematic. There are racks above the seats that can accommodate larger items, but of course with those you'll have to be able to lift them onto the racks. In my experience, many travellers simply store their behemoth wheelie bags in the corridor outside their compartment, which tends to restrict traffic through the coach and annoy the conductor.

You may find it helpful to have a look at the excellent Man In Seat 61 website, which will provide all the information you'll need for rail travel in Europe (or anywhere else in the world).

Regarding use of a flight from Venice to Munich, budget airlines tend to have somewhat restrictive and expensive baggage policies, so larger (and heavier) checked luggage items may result in a hefty cost. Carry-on items are also limited in size and sometimes weight also. You'll have to check the websites of the airlines operating on that route. In contrast there are no luggage charges or restrictions for trains (within reason) and that particular trip is quite pleasant so a more relaxing way to travel than going through the usual airport "dog & pony show". Air travel may not be much faster when all is considered (time to and from airports, check-in, security, waiting times, boarding and deplaning, etc.). Whichever method you choose, it will basically be a full travel day.

Thanks, Ken, for the info and the link to The Man in Seat 61. I have found a wealth of information on that site! We have decided to take the EC direct to avoid a transfer and to also enjoy the scenery. Do you know if there is an easy, direct way to get from the cruise terminal in Venice to Santa Lucia Station? We are both in our 60's (in good health) and will each be pulling a suitcase and a carry-on. We're trying to avoid stairs, if possible, and taking more than 1 mode of transportation to get to the station. Are we crazy for thinking we can travel through Germany with luggage needed for a 16-day cruise? :)

The direct EC train that leaves Venice at 13:50 takes 6h31m. Right now, for June, I can see an advance purchase fare of 39€ per person. That's just about all the cost, unless you need some local transport to get to Santa Lucia station, or something other than the S-Bahn from the Hauptbahnof in Munich to your hotel. If you need to use the S-Bahn to get to your hotel, you can include that on the ticket it for no extra cost.

For that same day in June, AirDolomiti offers a fare of 80,36€/person (twice the cost of the train ticket). That's for a "Plus" fare, which is the least expensive fare with any checked luggage. And that's for a flight leaving Venice at 6:40 in the morning or getting to Munich airport at 9:15 PM. Plus fares during the middle of the day start at 122€/P. In addition, it will cost 8€ each for the bus to Marco Pollo and 10,80 each to get into Munich from the airport. The flight is "only" 1h05, but the bus to the Venice airport takes 20 min, figure 2 hrs at the airport (particularly with checking luggage), so it's at least 3h25 just to the Munich airport, at which you must deplane, retrieve your luggage, get out of the terminal and to the S-Bahn station, then there's the 40min train ride into the city. Your actual "travel time" is probably more like **4½-5 hours - not much time saved for all the extra money spent.

dlw,

I don't know where the cruise ship docks are located in Venice in relation to the rail stations, so can't answer that question. As a solo traveller, I don't take cruises. I'm sure one of the others will be able to provide that information.

Read this article:
http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/transportation-from-stazione-marittima.htm
If you do not intend to spend any time in Venice, a ground taxi to Venezia Mestre train station seems the simplest way. All the trains that leave Santa Lucia station stop at Mestre station on the mainland. Buy the train tickets to depart from Mestre.
Taking the People Mover to Piazzale Roma then the bridge to Santa Lucia station will involve a lot of steps.

Most, if not all, cruise ships dock at Troncheto, which is a man-made island just SW of the island of Venice. Venice St. Lucia station is on the near side of the main island, but there is just a thin isthmus connecting Troncheto to the main island. I don't know if there is public transportation from Troncheto to the island; it's a bit of a walk.

These days fewer people travel by first class train on the EC, but if you book in advance as listed above on the Deutsche Bahn website you should be able to get a Europa-Spezial Fare (aimed at attracting visitors into Germany from other EU countries). If you get on at Santa Lucia Station, you can get into your reserved seat and compartment (First Class is usually compartments) first, and can hoist your bags onto the overhead racks and tie them on - e.g. with the striped straps you carry for emergency and to recognize a bag at the airport. They will be in view all the way. Flat sided bags like Rick's sit better than curved plastic ones, if you are still buying luggage. Rick's Guidebook to Italy is well worth buying and taking, in whole or in part. If you lift the suitcases up and down together (Rick's suitcases have grab handles on both ends) you will be quite safe and uninjured! Some of the best scenery in Europe is in the approach to Munich. Taxi drivers at Munich station all use GPS, so will take you to your next stop in a direct and efficient route, and put heavy bags in and out and even carry them into your hotel sometimes. Spend the money! Do not judge the driver by his accent or skin colour - they are all licensed and doing the best they can in their new country.

Always used Rick Steves guide books and tv show tips. In 1994 with a rail pass we spent three wks in Europe. Took the train from Munich to Venice, a wonderful rail trip! My husband wanted to go over the Brenner Pass.

We've taken trains in Europe many times without a problem. Most of the trains we've ridden have luggage racks at the end of a car. The overhead racks may not be large enough for a big suitcase. We use a lockable, TSA approved luggage strap around each suitcase and through the handle for both flights and train trips. We also carry a lightweight cable lock that we wrap through multiple bag handles and the rack on a train when the luggage is out of sight. It's precautionary and not perfect, but so far we haven't had any problems. Just use common sense. You are more likely to have your belongings stolen from a purse or backpack. Look into the Pac-safe (or similar) purses and backpacks for extra security for your important items. I never wear a backpack in crowded areas.

My best advice is plan to use the laundry service on the cruise. Well worth spending the money on because you can take half the clothes and bring smaller suitcases. We are both 69 years old and just returned from a month in Italy, Greece and places in between. We made a train trip from Milan to Venice. Got off the train in Padua, checked the bags at the station went to see the Scrovegni Chapel, Giotto paintings, picked up the bags, took another train for the brief ride into Venice St Lucia. I had booked 1st class because it was only a few dollars more than 2nd class and well worth it for the convenience.