Originally, I and my two daughters were planning to take the night train from Munich to Venice to save sightseeing time. Given that the route looks to go through Innsbruck and the Dolomites in Italy, I'm thinking it might be worthwhile to take the train during daylight hours.

For those of you who have made this journey, is the scenery stupendous enough to give up the convenience of night travel??

Thanks everyone!!

The night train uses a different route (via Salzburg and Villach); yes the scenery over the Brenner Pass portion especially on the upper Italian side is interesting. I'm not sure I would classify it as "spectacular" but that's obviously subjective.

There are a lot of people who absolutely hate night trains and talk about how nosy they are, and bumpy, etc., etc. My experience with them has been much better for some reason.

I wish I could be more definitive; I've taken the train from Munich to Rome over the route several times and enjoyed it during the day. Am sure you'll get plenty of opinions from others.

Sorry for my typo above..they complain about night train noise obviously.

Thanks Dukey

Nice valleys between Innsbruck and Bolzano, but the dramatic Dolomites peaks are not along the line. From Bolzano to Verona it is a very long green and narrow valley packed with vines and extensive apple and fruit farms.

Well again day trains take two different routes - the fastest is via Innsbruck and a change of trains in Verona - this is the Brennero Pass route thru the heart of the Austrian/Italian Alps but at a low level so no dramatic mountains - some trains go via Salzburg to Villach where you usually change to a bus to Venice.

both routes are rather scenic though the Salzburg route does not really go thru the Alps.

there is at least one direct train - no changes - and goes via Verona.

go to www.bahn.de/en for schedules and possible advance discounts - which however are non-changeable non-refundable and as sold in limited numbers must be booked weeks early to guarantee.

Otherwise you can always buy tickets once in Munich - rare would sell out all trains.

The night train however should be booked as they can sell out and I would not consider the scenery that awesome and a 7-hour marathon day ride may tip me to the night train.

for lots of great info on European trains and night trains, etc I always spotlight these IMO fine sites - www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Here's a Youtube video which might help. There are all sorts of videos on Youtube which feature various sections of the daytime rail route

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uucEm3op7uc

I went on the day train several years ago and loved it--gorgeous views.

We ended up taking one short segment via bus due to a rockslide near the end of the trip; even so I would still take it again, but then I love trains!