When taking the train from München/Munich to Venezia/Venice you can either opt to take the fantastically scenic daytime journey, or travel overnight on a sleeper train.
However, due to construction works in Austria, the direct night train service will be suspended from November 18th to July 27th.
When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.
6hr 22min (approx)
Daily
1 - 2 x trains per day
Is the journey from Munich / München to Venice direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.
Is this journey scenic?
It is one of of Europe's most stunning rail journeys - Check the 'Journey Information' for photos and videos.
What other tourist locations are along this route from Munich / München to Bologna?
Innsbruck and Bolzano and Trento and Verona and Vicenza and Padua.
When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Venezia S. Lucia from München Hbf by this direct train?
How easy is it to travel on from the station in Venice?
Santa Lucia station has a fantastic location on the Grand Canal and multiple boat bus routes depart from the piers in front of the station - see the Station Guide for more information and easy access to booking accommodation in its neighbourhood.
When is the usual approximate latest departure from München Hbf to Venezia S. Lucia?
Before 11:35 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable
How easy is it to get to the station in Munich / München?
Frequent local (S-Bahn) trains travel from stations in the city centre - and multiple tram and metro lines are also available.
See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in its neighbourhood.
Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for this journey?
Yes, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.
How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for this train?
Typically up to 4 months ahead of the travel date; though this period of time can be shorter, particularly when searching for journeys more than three months ahead during October and March.
What are the child ticket terms for this train?
Up to four children aged 15 and under can travel for free when accompanied by a fare paying Adult.
Does the ticket for this train include assigned seats?
Yes - See the Train Guide in the Journey Information for insights on how to board the train.
Do rail pass users need to book reservations for this journey?
Yes - See the rail pass reservation guide for info on the multiple booking options.
Is catering available on this train?
Yes, there is a bar/bistro car and a restaurant car.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information.
What else is good to know about Italian rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Italy.
What else is good to know about German rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Germany.
Exclusive for New Customers: Receive a 10% discount by using the code 24NOV on any purchase with a maximum total price of £100, until 28 November 2024 (11:59 pm CET). Limit one coupon per qualifying booking. Cannot be combined, transferred or exchanged.
Omio is an online ticket agency which offers tickets for rail journeys in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.
The three key advantages of using Omio are
The disadvantage of booking with Omio is that it often adds a booking fee to the final price; therefore when it does so without offering a price advantage, SMTJ doesn't tend to offer Omio as a booking option.
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for: Comparing different train services; Booking international journeys with connections; Travelling between the UK to destinations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris - and for international travellers who don't reside in western Europe.
DB is the national railway operator in Germany, so its website can be used for booking journeys by German express trains; the ICE and IC trains and it doesn't charge booking fees.
It also sells tickets for journeys by direct trains on all international routes from Germany regardless of whether DB is operating the train service.
It also sells an extensive range of end-to-end journeys which involve making connections both within Germany and in neighboring countries, but journeys between Germany and Britain cannot be booked on DB.
On journeys within Germany and on most international journeys from and to Germany on trains operated by DB:
When booking both types of the discounted 'Sparpreis' tickets seat reservations are an optional extra, so need to be added when booking if you want an assigned seat(s).
These direct trains are typically scheduled to depart daily at 11:34 and also at 07:34 on Saturday and Sunday.
Final Destination: Venezia St Lucia
These trains also call at Vicenza and Padova.
The German name for Venice/Venezia is Venedig
These trains will also call at Munchen Ost AFTER departure from Munchen Hbf.
If the starting point of journey is in central Munich/München (around Marienplatz), it will be a quicker trip if you join the train at München Ost.
These trains also call at other Italian cities including:
Verona, Vicenza, Padova/Padua and Venezia Mestre
If you'll be heading to historical Venice, the train will call at Venezia Mestre station before it arrives at Venezia St Lucia.
So if you're heading to the historic heart of Venice/Venezia take care NOT to leave the train at Venezia Mestre.
Remain on the train until it arrives at Venezia St Lucia.
This is one of the most spectacular journeys undertaken by European express trains.
So if the timings suit we highly recommend making this journey by day instead of taking the overnight train.
The part of train journey between Rosenheim and Verona is one of the most incredible in Europe, but sit on the right of the train (when facing the direction of travel) to see the best of the stunning views.
Though the first of the scenic highlights, when the train follows the River Inn from Kuftstein into Innsbruck, is on the left.
But the most incredible part of the journey is that between Innsbruck and the border at Brennero.
in winter:
Though the fabulous views continue after the train exits the Brenner Tunnel and begins to travel through Italy.
Between Brennero and Verona the railway route primarily travels through a massive valley, by the River Adige and on this part of the journey, there are some great views to be had from either side of the train.
But the reason why ShowMeTheJourney featured this particular train ride on our Best Express Train Journeys list, is because it doesn't solely feature the incredible passage through the Alps; it also concludes with a flourish!
In order to reach journey's end at Venezia S. Lucia station, the train has to cross the Venetian lagoon.
So as there won't be any hurry to leave the train on arrival, ShowMeTheJourney recommends savouring every last moment by remaining in your seat until you pull into the station.
This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help.
We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.
Instead of advertising or paywalls, your financial support will make a positive difference to delivering an enhanced service, as there’s a lot of ideas which we want to make happen.
So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please go here to say thank you.
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date - but this period of time is shorter when looking up journeys in August to October.
However, if you book more than 4 months ahead, you may only see more expensive tickets, than are typically offered on this route.
A choice of tickets
Three types of tickets are available:
Two types of discounted tickets, which will be cheaper the further ahead you book - Sparpreis Europa and Super Sparpreis Europa
One type of non-discounted ticket - Flexpreis Europa.
A key difference between these types of tickets is refunds:
The other key difference is that both types of Sparpreis tickets are only valid on the specific departures selected when booking, but both types of Flexpreis tickets live up to their name, as they can be used on any departure on your travel date.
Note that none of the tickets can be exchanged to a different departure.
There's no need for this to be available for Flexpreis Europa tickets, as they aren't train departure specific.
If you book a Sparpreis Europa ticket and want to travel by a different departure you can refund it and then use the travel voucher towards the cost of the new booking.
Super Sparpreis Europa tickets can't be exchanged or refunded.
The Sparpreis, Flexpreis and Flexpreis Plus tickets also include 'City tickets', which can be used on public transport between locations in Munchen city centre and Munchen Hbf.
Booking on the DB website
You can find these direct trains more easily by making a proactive selection of 'Direct Trains Only'.
Or to see all the combinations of trains and journey options, some of which may be cheaper, take off the 'fastest connections' default.
Travelling from Munchen Ost station:
When making a booking online on DB it uses ‘Munich (München)’ as a default for looking up journeys from the city in the ‘From’ box.
But it is possible to select München Ost as the ‘From’ station (you need to use the German spelling with the character (the umlaut) over the ‘u’).
You won’t save any money by booking from München Ost, but the departure time of your train from Munchen Ost will be on your ticket.
Booking agents, when looking up Munchen to Bologna journeys, will see that the fastest journey from Munchen is from Munchen Ost, so can assume that this is where you want to join the train.
So if you're using an agent confirm whether your ticket has been booked from Munchen Hbf or Munchen Ost; particularly if you do want to join the train at Munchen Hbf.
Venezia Mestre station:
These trains also call at Venezia Mestre before they arrive at Venezia St Lucia; which is the station in the historic heart of Venice/Venezia.
If you will be heading to historic Venice/Venezia take care when booking online, or using an agent, that your ticket is valid to Venezia St Lucia.
Booking agents can type Munchen - Venezia into their systems and see that journeys to Venezia Mestre are faster AND assume that you will want to leave the train there.
Rail Pass Users:
When taking this journey when using 'global' Eurail or InterRail passes a supplement is required of €15 in 1st class and €10 in 2nd class.
However, the supplement is not a seat reservation
You can purchase the supplements on the Eurail reservation service or the InterRail reservation service and a seat reservation will also be included - though you will be charged a €2 booking fee per reservation, per person.
If you book the supplement for journeys to Italy by these trains, at the Reisezentrum desk at Munchen Hbf (or at any hauptbahnhof in Germany), you won't be charged a booking fee, but will also have to pay seat reservation charges of €4.90 in 2nd class and €5.90 in 1st class
If you pay for the seat reservation online on the DB (German Railways) website, it won't include the supplement that's charged for journeys to Italy.
When you have occupied your reserved seat you can buy the supplement from the train conductor, but when doing so there is an additional charge of €5.
from 7hr 8min
Daily
3 or 4 connections per day.
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for comparing high speed train operators in Spain, as it sells tickets for the AVE, iryo, Ouigo, avlo and Euromed trains.
DB is the national railway operator in Germany, so its website can be used for booking journeys by German express trains; the ICE and IC trains and it doesn't charge booking fees.
It also sells tickets for journeys by direct trains on all international routes from Germany regardless of whether DB is operating the train service.
It also sells an extensive range of end-to-end journeys which involve making connections both within Germany and in neighboring countries, but journeys between Germany and Britain cannot be booked on DB.
On journeys within Germany and on most international journeys from and to Germany on trains operated by DB:
When booking both types of the discounted 'Sparpreis' tickets seat reservations are an optional extra, so need to be added when booking if you want an assigned seat(s).
If the timings of the direct trains don't suit there are multiple other journey options per day available.
As they are also EC trains from Munchen to Bologna plus a daily train which terminates in Verona, all of which connect in Verona with express trains on to Venezia / Venice.
The fastest connections between trains in Verona is only 32mins, so it's typically a straightforward journey/
Though rail pass users can save at least €10 by taking a slightly slower Regionale Veloce train on from Verona.
Final Destination Bologna or Rimini or Verona
From early April Railjet trains will also begin to operate on this route.
These trains will also call at Munchen Ost after departure from Munchen Hbf.
If the starting point of journey is in central Munich/München (around Marienplatz, it will be a quicker trip if you join the train at München Ost.
The train journey between Rosenheim and Verona is one of the most incredible in Europe, but sit on the right of the train (when facing the direction of travel) to see the best of the stunning views.
Though the first of the scenic highlights, when the train follows the River Inn from Kuftstein into Innsbruck, is on the left.
But the most incredible part of the journey is that between Innsbruck and the border at Brennero.
Winter SummerAnd as can be seen in these videos, the best of the views on this part of the train ride can be seen on the right.
Though the fabulous views continue after the train exits the Brenner Tunnel and begins to travel through Italy.
Between Brennero and Verona the railway route primarily travels through a massive valley, by the River Adige and on this part of the journey, there are some great views to be had from either side of the train.
This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help.
We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.
Instead of advertising or paywalls, your financial support will make a positive difference to delivering an enhanced service, as there’s a lot of ideas which we want to make happen.
So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please go here to say thank you.
Depart from Munich at around 07:30 on Monday to Friday and the connection will be into an EC train which will have travelled from Switzerland.
These trains also call at Vicenza and Padova.
If you'll be heading to historical Venice, the train will call at Venezia Mestre station before it arrives at Venezia St Lucia.
So if you're heading to the historic heart of Venice/Venezia take care NOT to leave the train at Venezia Mestre.
Remain on the train until it arrives at Venezia St Lucia.
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date - but this period of time is shorter when looking up journeys in August to October.
When looking up the journey on the DB website, you can use the tool which increases the minimum transfer time between trains, in order to see additional options.
A choice of tickets
Three types of tickets are available:
Two types of discounted tickets, which will be cheaper the further ahead you book - Sparpreis Europa and Super Sparpreis Europa
One type of non-discounted ticket - Flexpreis Europa.
A key difference between these types of tickets is refunds:
Travelling from Munchen Ost station:
When making a booking online on DB it uses ‘Munich (München)’ as a default for looking up journeys from the city in the ‘From’ box.
But it is possible to select München Ost as the ‘From’ station (you need to use the German spelling with the character (the umlaut) over the ‘u’).
You won’t save any money by booking from München Ost, but the departure time of your train from Munchen Ost will be on your ticket.
Booking agents, when looking up Munchen to Bologna journeys, will see that the fastest journey from Munchen is from Munchen Ost, so can assume that this is where you want to join the train.
So if you're using an agent confirm whether your ticket has been booked from Munchen Hbf or Munchen Ost; particularly if you do want to join the train at Munchen Hbf.
Making the connection:
If the train from Munich arrives in Verona too late to make the booked connection on to Venezia / Venice, regardless of the circumstances, the tickets will be valid on a Regionale Veloce train on from Verona Porta Nuova.
Though if you would rather travel on to Venezia / Venice on a later Frecce train in reserved seats, you should be able to have tickets re-issued at the travel desks in Verona Porta Nuova
There is relatively new E.U. legislation which protects travellers against financial loss in the event of missed connections due to train delays, but it only applies to 'through tickets'.
Though the operators of the EC and Frecce trains have also signed up to Agreement on Journey Continuation (AJC) policy for when a traveller holds separate transport 'contracts' for an end-to-end journey involving more than one train.
So this agreement applies both when 'a bundle' of tickets / contracts is issued as the result of a single transaction - and if travellers have bought several different tickets for their journey, even from different sales channels/ticket providers.
As long as the passenger had planned enough connecting time to change trains (called “reasonable connecting time”), the AJC will apply.
So in usual* circumstances, if a delay to the EC train causes the booked connection to be missed, replacement tickets/reservations will be issued at Verona Porta Nuoba.
*= But that new E.U legislation specifically states that in exceptional circumstances, the train operators do not need to issue replacement tickets - and the terms and conditions on the Trenitalia website reiterate this.
These exceptional circumstances specifically stated in Regulation (EU) 2021/782 of the European Parliament include:
9hr 14min
Nightly
1 x train per night
OBB is the national rail operator and its booking service offers journeys by express trains within Austria, as well as international journeys which don't involve making a connection outside of Austria.
It pays off to book online, as the discounted 'Sparscheine' tickets are only ever made available on the website, and when making international journeys to and from Austria, these Sparscheine tickets tend to be cheaper.
OBB can offer particularly good value for money when travelling with children on international rail journeys, but something to watch out for when travelling between Austria and Germany on daytime trains, is that reservations are an optional extra; but if you book 1st class tickets with the Germany railways website DB, the reservations are complimentary.
OBB often takes a unique approach to its booking path, but a key thing to keep in mind is that the first price you will see for any journey is that of a Second Class seat.
The costs of upgrading to first class, a reservation, or a sleeping cabin etc, is then added to this price.
DB is the national railway operator in Germany, so its website can be used for booking journeys by German express trains; the ICE and IC trains and it doesn't charge booking fees.
It also sells tickets for journeys by direct trains on all international routes from Germany regardless of whether DB is operating the train service.
It also sells an extensive range of end-to-end journeys which involve making connections both within Germany and in neighboring countries, but journeys between Germany and Britain cannot be booked on DB.
A key feature of DB website worth keeping mind is that it offers 1st class ticket purchasers complimentary seat reservations on journeys both within and to/from Germany.
Seat reservations for daytime in both 1st and 2nd class can also be booked separately from tickets.
Due to construction works in Austria, this service will be suspended from November 18th to July 27th.
During the time, the typical alternative route will be:
The usual service:
This train, which is named the 'Lisinki' is scheduled to depart from Munchen Ost and not from the city's main station at around 22:35 and it is typically scheduled to arrive in arrive in Venezia S. Lucia station at 08:34.
It now commences its journey in Stuttgart Hbf at 20:59 and also calls in Ulm and Augsburg
Final Destination: Venedig/Venezia S. Lucia
The train also calls at: Udine (arrives 06:23), Treviso (arrives 07:46) and Venezia Mestre.
If you're heading to the historic heart of Venezia/Venice/Venedig, make sure you're booking is valid to Venezia S. Lucia.
Don't leave the train at Venezia Mestre.
The coaches heading to Venezia/Venedig* will be attached to coaches heading to Budapest.
If you see a train heading to Budapest on the departure screens, the info will also be for this train.
*Venedig is the German name for Venice
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open:
6 months ahead of the travel date on OBB
3 months ahead of the travel date on DB Bahn
These trains are provided by Austria's national rail operator, OBB, they travel through Austria on this journey between Germany and Italy.
The train conveys:
The first price you will see on the OBB ticketing site will be for the compartment seats.
Click the train button above for more info including the rail pass reservation fees:
Using rail passes:
Rail pass users must reserve before boarding this train.
However, these rail pass reservations can NO longer be booked online the DB website.
If you want to reserve seats, berths in couchettes or beds in the sleeping cabins before you arrive in Germany, the best option is to pay a booking fee and use the Eurail or InterRail reservation services.
Or you can avoid the booking fees by arranging the reservations when you arrive in Germany, by purchasing them at a Reisezentrum travel desk, which you will find in any hauptbahnhof.
Though it's best to do this at the first hauptbahnhof (city centre station) that you will arrive at, the later you leave booking your accommodation, the more likely it is that your preferences will be sold out.
This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help.
We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.
Instead of advertising or paywalls, your financial support will make a positive difference to delivering an enhanced service, as there’s a lot of ideas which we want to make happen.
So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please consider saying thank you.
This is one of more than 100 train travel guides available on ShowMeTheJourney, which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.
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