Is 5 minutes enough time to switch trains? Going from Venice to Munich the train schedule says I have to swicth trains in Verona and the time is 5 minutes. What do you think? Anyone done this before?

Well, I've never actually done a 5-minute switch, but I've done 6- to 10-minute ones and they all worked out fine. IME, the railroads know what's feasible and what tracks trains are on and so forth, so you will probably need to hustle a bit, and you'll probably be frothing at the mouth, but you'll probably be fine.

Italian trains are so unreliable (I live in Italy), and the train stations usually so confusing and full of staircases with no escaltors, a five-minute switch would be something I would avoid.

Any chance you've got an alternative?

We've made 8 or 9 minute changes several times - but you need to be standing at the door when the train pulls in - pick up your luggage and move quickly. If you have a lot of luggage or have trouble maneuvering with it, it could be a challenge.

There are so so many trains Venice to Verona that you can easily take an earlier one there and have much more than 5 mins change time

automated online schedules often IMe only give you the quickest connections - optimal connections and as zeppole, who IME knows very well of which he speaks being an Italian resident i believe, warns 5 mins is just not enough - esp since those trains have mandatory seat reservations that cannot be changed often, depending on the type of ticket you've bought.

She knows of what she speaks.

A she may not know as well as a he? Hee-hee but in this case she does.

zeppole - I also live in Italy and the trains are not that bad. Certainly they are cheaper than many other European countries.
However, in how many countries would you trust a 5 minute transfer time. Certainly in Japan but in Europe I would not even trust the Swiss on this especially on the Zurich to Milan line.

It all depends upon the train station. We've made 5-minute changes with no problem in smaller towns, where there are fewer binarios and they are closer together. On our last trip, we had 15 minutes to change trains in Florence; and, despite the fact that our arriving train was not late, & despite the fact that we had very little and very light luggage, making the connection was HAIRY...it was the first time in all my years of traveling that I came within a hair's breath of missing my train.

However, as Palenque points out, there are so many trains that connect the larger cities, you can usually get another train within an hour (depending, of course, upon your destination.)

And LucieV knows what he is talking about.

Cold, you are <i>really</i> cold!

BC

My apologies. I thought the V stood for virile.

It does.

We did once and it was nerve wrecking, Never again..but we were able to catchthe train..

Of course than we had to walk what it seemed half mile inside the train to get to our compartment..

As far as I can see, trains from Venezia to Verona are at least hourly, while trains from Verona to München are less frequent.
If you're not happy with a tight connection (and I wouldn't be), then take an earlier train from Venezia. You can then relax during the journey, and will have time for a coffee or a snack at Verona.

lol, Lucie.

I would second the general impression that trains in Italy may not be as punctual but that might work in your favor (i.e., if the train departs late you would have no trouble making the connection).

I think if someone were familiar with the Verona station and how many tracks there are (I have not been to Verona) that would be helpful info. However, I have changed trains before in Switzerland (Bern) with luggage, a stroller (scrambling to find ramps instead of stairs) and a 2-year old and it was VERY tight, but it was a fairly large station (I think we had to go 2 or 3 platforms over). If Verona only has 2 platforms that would be much easier than if it has 4 or 5. Plus, as someone said before, your own mobility level and how light you packed will affect the time. Personally I am not sure I would risk that tight a connection again.

nochblad,

I think only in Switzerland and maybe Germany can you plan a trip around a 5-minute train connection. And Italy -- while not "that" bad -- is realistically more unpunctual than France and perhaps Great Britain.]

I live here and avoid 5-minute train connections. I look for more wiggle room. GeoffHamer posted the kind of strategy I look for moving around Italy by train.

I think only in Switzerland and maybe Germany can you plan a trip around a 5-minute train connection>

You obviously have not traveled on trains much in Switzerland nor Germany to make such a misinformating statement.

Not true IME