We will do one train trip from Frankfurt to Como and then several train trips within Italy. Do people suggest we pay for a one off from Frankfurt plus an Italian train pass or some sort of pass covering more than one country? Should be 4 or 5 weeks in total.

Most likely no train pass of any kind; train travel is quite low priced in Italy (unless you are planning to be on a train every other day - - and what a bad idea that is!)

See www.railsaver.com - - and make sure to click the box that says "only if it saves me money".

Unless there are some very, very low-priced rail passes available to Australians that I have never heard about...

Best wishes,

Rex

ditto to Rex' advice - no pass for you!

Thanks Rex and Bob. That is very helpful.

www.bahn.de for best fares and self-ticketing - not sure always possible to Como but try.

On a few of the Frankfurt-Como daytime routes, if you book far enough ahead at www.bahn.de, you can get a Euro-Sparpreis fare of €59.

There is also a direct night train. Book at http://buchung.nachtzugreise.se well in advance to get Sparnight fares.