KCM

I have conducted an exhaustive search (thanks to help on this site)and have concluded the overnight train from Berlin to Venice via Munich is my best choice for travel between the two cities. The ticket cost is much less and it saves me a hotel night. I save a lot of money, plus get to experience the rail system in Europe. Experienced travelers, please tell me you agree -- I need to book today. Thanks.

Patrick

I believe I am in the minority, but I do not like overnight trains. I find that I don't sleep at all -- congrats to people who are able to! Also I usually arrive in the morning and can't get into my hotel and feel even worse than the jet lagged arrival in Europe after a transAtlantic flight. I also miss seeing the scenery I pass through.<BR>You are right about the monetary savings -- it just isn't worth it to me. I feel that I still lose a day when I get there, because I feel lousy, so I haven't really gained anything timewise.

KCM

Patrick, thank you for your speedy response. I am holding reservations for both the train and the plane, which expire in a few short hours. Even if you are not completely budget minded, is it worth $500 plus the cost of a hotel in either Berlin or Venice?

Patrick

I'm confused. You mean a plane is $500 more than the overnight train? If so, why not just a day train, which should be no more (probably less) than a night train with a sleeper. Then you'd just have the added cost of a hotel. No, I wouldn't pay an extra $500 to fly!!!

jahoulih

You could go entirely by day, leaving Berlin at 8:30, changing at Munich and Verona, and arriving in Venice at 23:06. Personally I'd stick to your original plan and take the night train, but it's really a matter of individual preference.

mrwunrfl

<BR>At lufthansa.com, they are offering German domestic travel for 88 Euros roundtrip. You could fly to Munich and then take the train. <BR><BR>I was looking at fares from MUC to Dresden and saw it was 88 round trip and about 60 Euros for a one-way. You could probably get a good one-way fare from Berlin to Munich.<BR>

Patrick

Most trains from Berlin to Venice take about 14 and a half hours. Flying to Munich will still leave you with a 7 and a half hour train trip. Allowing for time to get to and from airports and all the transfers, I can't imagine any advantage in doing that -- a lot more aggravation that it is worth.<BR><BR>If you've never taken a night train -- do it. As I said I think I'm in the minority of those who don't like them.

rex

You can fly for 88 euro on www.hlx.com<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>[email protected]<BR>

tinlizzy2

Germanwings www.germanwings.com flies Berlin-Cologne-Venice less than ?100

rex

They say they do, but I could not find fares on germanwings less than 59+49. HLX had 49+39. Splitting hairs, I guess.<BR><BR>Hey, 20 bucks is 20 bucks.<BR>

ira

Hi,<BR> When are you doing this trip?<BR> We took the train over the mountains from Munich to Venice on a Sunday in the early Spring and thought it was a beautiful trip.<BR> If you don't mind taking the 04:37 train from Berlin and changing at Fulda, you can catch the 11:30 train from Munchen, see the Alps and won't have to change at Verona. (%&gt

KCM

Ira,<BR><BR>Thanks for your response. I am holding reservations on Friday, February 28, departing Berlin at 4:10pm, arriving in Munich at 11:09pm, departing for Venice at 11:40pm and finally arriving in Venice at 7:15am. We are paying an additional $75 for a double sleeping compartment. We will also take the train from Venice to Rome on March 3 at 12:30pm. The approximate cost for the two of us, is $815.00

ira

Hi KCM,<BR> Have you checked prices with www.railsaver.com? <BR> They suggest that you could do your trip on a 1st class railpass for less money.<BR> Remember that if you buy the pass, you still have to pay extra for the sleeper

jahoulih

Is the $815 figure from www.raileurope.com? Their prices are notoriously inflated. Point-to-point tickets for two people on that route, including the sleeper, should be more like $500. (Railsaver said $186 each for second class tickets, and the sleeper would be an extra 60 Euros each.)

KCM

Ira, thank you for suggesting Rail saver -- I had seen it mentioned on this site before, but had forgotten it in the haze of travel planning. It saves me about $100. This might be a silly question, but are the times/trains the same as I found through Rail Europe? Also, how do I cehck availability for the sleeper -- that's a deal breaker for my husband.

HuisClos

I always thought I was in the minority, but I guess I'm in the majority. I love the train. I love sleeping on the train. There's nothing that puts me to sleep more than all the noises, from the sound of the wheels, steel against steel, to the diesel engine, to the periodic whistle, to the middle of the night stops where they add or subtract cars. Sometimes it wakes me up, and I look outside and see new scenery, even if it's a train station. Then right back to sleep. If I remember correctly, the night train from Munich to Venice is part of the old Simplon Orient Express. If that's true, it's a great ride. Even if it's another train, it's a great ride. <BR><BR>Some of our greatest adventures are meeting people in the bar car from all over the world, before packing it in for the night.

jahoulih

KCM, the times and trains will be the same as you found through RailEurope. I don't think there's a way to check over the internet for availability of a sleeper. You may want to look at this German Rail web page:<BR><BR>http://www.bahn.de/pv/int_guest/services/pv2_service_information.shtml<BR><BR>and possibly call the number given there for inquiries from outside Germany.