Car drop-off: Bolzano
 

After touring the Lake regions and the Dolomites in Italy, we need to drop-off our car (to avoid those hefty fees)somewhere near the border of Austria and then take the train to Innsbruck. Is Bolzano or Bresannone/Brixen the nearest city to drop it off?

Thanks.

Bozen/Bolzano would be probably a better idea as it is a good place to visit and combine the dropping off of the car with sightseeing.

In any case, have a look at www.oebb.at and see the schedules and prices to Innsbruck

Thanks altamiro.

Will we miss a lot of wonderful scenery if we do the Brenner Pass via train instead of by car?

Hi Joy - After you've toured some of the spectacular passes of the Dolomites, the Brenner Pass is a disappointment.

You lose nothing by doing it by train.

Bressanone isn't an option for car drop-off with most hire companies - so Bolzano is your best bet.

Steve

Leave some time to visit Bolzano. Great shopping (wonderful street market) and stop off to see Otzi the Iceman at the nice museum -closed Monday.

Thanks Steve for your insights. I know the Dolomites is one of your favorite places to visit/stay. Actually, I have bookmarked most of your suggestions about the region.

TravMimi: Thank you. We were going to stop at Bolzano on our way to Ortisei from Trento, but now it seems we will need to overnight there to return the car and take the early morning train.So we have a lot of time to see the city.

We will be in Bolzano for 5 days in June. Hotel Greif and Stadt Citta are both very nice and right on the main square. Greif was booked up so this time we are at the Stadt Citta.
Enjoy your visit to Bolzano.

>Will we miss a lot of wonderful scenery if we do the Brenner Pass via train instead of by car?

Brenner is a huge wide saddle, wide enough for a railyard, a six-lane highway and some more. The six-lane highway is what you would take if driving to Innsbruck. The most exciting thing when driving the Brenner highway is watching the 40-ton trucks overtaking each other on the incline, at a snail's pace, and clogging the road. So, no, you won't miss much.