Munich Travel Forum

A group of us are going to italy for vacation next month. My daughter and her friend are staying on after we come home. They will go to Munich for a few days from venice
then will return to Rome to fly back to USA.
Should they book train reservations from Venice-Munich-Rome before we leave or should they do that when we arrive in Italy. what would be the best and most economical way for them to do this?
thanks, jeannie

Normally, for travel within Italy, you just wait until you get there...HOWEVER, because these are trips to/from Germany, you may qualify for deep discounts - but only if you buy the tickets now over the Internet.

Please go to www.bahn.de (the German railways) and choose English on the upper right (it's a pull-down menu that probably says "Deutsch" in the window). Enter "Venezia" for the starting point and "München" for the ending point (it will probably take "Munich" and "Muenchen" as well, but I don't think it takes "Venice").

There are a lot of trip solutions, but note the direct trains that leave at 13:28 and 22:51 (overnight).

On April 24th (a date picked at random), the day train has seats for as little as 33 euro - compare to the regular price of 96.90 euro.

On the same day, the overnight train has (right now) discounted seats for 39 euro, couchettes in 2nd class for 69 euro each, couchettes in 1st class for 79 euro each, and a sleeper (for one person, I didn't price it for more) for 139 euro (hmmmn, I bet the price for 2 is not two times 139) - all of these prices are substantial discounts - the normal seat price alone is 96.90 euro (compare to 39 euro).

Note that these seats are limited, and will disappear soon. On the other hand, these tickets are for fixed days and trains, so it will cost you if you get the tickets now and try to change your plans. But you won't find prices like this anywhere else (because these are specials offered by the German railroad).

I haven't checked the München to Rome run, but there are likely similar savings there. So determine how certain your daughter and friend are about their schedule, then get the tickets now if you can...

Bill

I agree with Bill about booking the tickets in advance. I would recommend taking the day train, simply because of the great views of the mountains.