Train from Munich to Venice??Help!!
 

We're planning on a 10 day trip to Italy the first week of August, spending a few days in Rome, then taking a train to Florence, renting a car and touring Tuscany. (We're still in the planning stages.) <BR><BR>Unfortunately, we're planning to use frequent flier miles and the closest they can get us to Italy is Munich. Can we take the train from Munich to Venice? Is it doable? Any idea how long a trip, schedules, etc? Any information is greatly appreciated.

Chris---<BR>Renting a car in Italy is a bad idea in general because of the high cost. You can rent a car in Munich for half the cost, drive it south into northern Italy in three hours, and keep it for your tour of Tuscany. Then if you want to take a train, turn in the car when you arrive in Florence (there will be a drop-off fee) and take the train to Rome. From Rome, my suggestion is either (1) buy a plane ticket back to Munich or (2) take a train back to Munich, which will be an all-day or overnight trip. I believe you will find this approach more satisfying as you drive down through Austria into northern Italy, through some of the most scenic country you can imagine. I would stay somewhere along the way as I drive through the Alps on this route. You will come to love the postcard scenery at every turn and the villages that are scattered everywhere along the way.

No problem taking a train from Munich to Venice. Here's a website to check schedules:<BR>http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en<BR>It's 7 - 7 1/2 hours and usually requires a change in Verona. There are a couple of direct trains (no changes), one of which is overnight.

My husband and I took the train from Venice to Munich in November. We had no changes. The autumn scenery was beautiful through the Dolomites. <BR><BR>After your flight to Munich, you may want to recuperate in Munich for a night. Then do the train to Venice and then on to Florence. Rent a car for a few days in Florence and drive to the area of Tuscany that you want to see. Return the car to Florence and take the train back to Munich. With only ten days (including two long days of train travel), you may have to save Rome for your next trip. <BR><BR>Look into the Eurail Selectpass Saver, which gives you five days of train travel within two months in three adjacent countries (the train goes through Austria). AAA has a brochure that explains the rail options well.<BR><BR>Other Fodorites may add their opinions about your itinerary.

Agree with Betsy: Save Rome for another trip.

I have driven from Munich to Italy 2 times. Renting in Germany is so easy and cheap. I have used Avis( and not at airport) It is cheaper to rent at any other location! I suggest staying over a night in Munich and then driving the next day. It is easy driving... really. The drive to Rome is long. And Rome is exhausting. Personally I liked everywhere else better. Over touristy. My only thought is that it is tiring driving all the time although the freedom and no hassle lugging your luggage up train steps MORE than makes up for it in my humble opinion. Good luck.