Trains at night or day in Europe
 

We are thinking about taking a train in June from Saltzburg to Venice OR Innsbruk to Venice. Is it best to take an overnight train (is it safe) or see the views during the day and I can't figure out how long the trips take . Then I was reading a forum from 2000 and they thought Saltzburg was not worth the trip. We would go from Munich to Saltzburg then on to Venice. Or the other idea was to go to Saltzburg then Innsbruk to see the castle Neuschwanstein then go to Venice. Now hearing Saltzburg is not worth it I am not sure what route to take. Thanks for any advice.

For train info go to http://www.seat61.com/

I think that you mean Salzburg

Salzburg is a beautiful town and I can't imagine anyone saying it's not worth seeing.

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/274...11574650RaqwSU

Also, you won't be able to see Neuschwanstein from InnsbruCk. For that, you need to travel to Füssen or Schwangau, Germany.

I can't advise you about the safety of night trains. It's been many years since I've ridden a train in Europe.

Salzburg is definitely worth a visit and is an easy trip from Munich. Get there in the morning, spend the day and night, then train to Innsbruck or on to Venice. That is a gorgeous train ride, and you'll miss all the beauty if you take a night train.

I like to take an overnight train, but only if I can afford a private sleeper cabin. I would use it for a journey of more than 8 hours. I wouldn't do it more than once a week, because while I think it's fun (the overnight train) you don't get the best rest.

Sometimes trains are scenic, but sometimes they are just passing thru the backsides of towns and not all that great. For me personally I don't do day trains for lengths of more than about 5 hours. Purely personal preference.

Holly sums it up very well.

For length of travel and available trains, check www.bahn.de Look at alternatives, like Salzburg Venice via Innsbruck, and Salzburg-Venice via Undine.

PS: Forget about Undine. The route goes via Villach, where you have to change trains.

PS: Forget about Undine. The route goes via Villach, where you have to change trains.

Neither one makes sense as a night journey.

From Salzburg to Venice is about 7 hours with a change - and the only night train leaves at about 1:30 am.

From Innsbruck is an even shorter trip - about 4.5 to 5 hours - so not enough time to sleep.

I wold definitely go by day when you will see at least some of the alps you will be traveling through.

(And no, I don;t think overnight travel is safe - in terms of belongings unless you take a private apartment just for your party.)

For an introduction to night trains see http://tinyurl.com/y57vft. It is safe. For train schedules see http://tinyurl.com/c9jp54