You could fly to Prague then train to Munich and fly home from there.

Looking at the DB Bahn site might help you decide based on the length of the train rides.

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query2.exe/en?ld=9642&country=DEU&rt=1&newrequest=yes&&country=USA

Or for flight look here:

http://www.low-cost-airline-guide.com/

If traveling by train in those countries be sure to investigate the European East Railpass, valid in Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia - lets you hop on any train anytime - fully flexible just show up. Not valid in Germany but you can get there from Salzburg for as little as 29 euros or so on the Bavaria Ticket, sold in the Salzburg, Austria Hauptbhahnhof (Hbf) and allows one days unlimited travel on trains in Bavaria and also municipal transports like U-Bahns, S-Bahn, trams and buses in Munich.

Great sites for dope on trains in these countries check out these IMO superb sites - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.

Any interest in seeing Venice itself? And, maybe one other place?

What are your interests? What kinds of things do you most want to see and/or experience in this extra time?

Using the Bavaria Pass means being restricted to slow generally IME not-so-comfy regional trains and you cannot use the pass on the ICE and faster trains so you take over an hour longer each way Munich to Salzburg - but you can get some fares as low as 29 euros if you book far in advance at www.bahn.de/en - the excellent German Railways web site - those tickets are not changeable nor refundable so be sure of your date and times. YOu can always buy regular fare tickets on the day of the train but it could cost a ton.

There are over night trains rolling between Munich and Prague and Prague and Budapest - save travel time and the cost of a night in a hotel!

I vote for whatever option gets you to Prague! And if you won't have already spent time in Venice, allow for a few days there. Have fun!

Ah Venezia - the most beautiful city in the world - a boat ride down the Grande Canale after dark being one of the very most awesome things I have ever done!

You got that right PalenQ!

We are staying in Venice for several days before the cruise. Are main interests are historical tours, architecture, and most important is good food/beer/wine. Our cruise doe not dock until 6:45am so train travel would have to be after 9am and flights after 11am. I would like to limit travel time, but also do not want to miss out on a great city. I have been to Munich before, but really enjoyed it. Would Venice to Vienna then Vienna to Prague be to much? Or would it be better to go from Venice to Munich then to either Vienna or Prague.

Venice - Vienna is quite a train hike. The fastest is over 8 hours and has a bus involved. There is a night train at 20:57 however. You might want to fly this leg.

Vienna - Prague is 4:49 minutes direct so that is a moderate, clean train trip.

Venice - Vienna is quite a train hike.>

Yup for some reason most direct trains have been taken off this route and you have to change to a bus at Villach (or vice versa bus to train) - slowing it down and making it a very long day - great scenery in Austria but still a long day.

I would say Munich -Prauge. I loved Munich! I have never been to Prague but have heard from many that is is amazing, it is on my bucket list