You can take a direct Eurocity train from Munich, Germany, to Milan, Bologna, Venice or Verona in Italy. This route takes you through Austria and the Alps, which will provide you with views of snowy mountain tops and traditional villages that look like your favorite fairy tale. If you are departing from other points in Germany, you can catch a local train to Munich and if your Italian travels take you to Rome, Florence or other cities, you can catch a train from one of the four arrival stations to your final destination. This train comes with a first class section as well as a dining car.
ItaliaRail can be helpful in getting train tickets outside of Italy and they make it easy to book your trip from Germany to Italy online. You can depart from Munich, Hamburg or Berlin and arrive in Rome, Florence, Verona or Bologna. Direct trips from Munich are available, otherwise you can expect a connection in Switzerland; either Basel or Zurich. Buy a first-class ticket or a second-class ticket, and you can also book a sleeper car if you want to travel overnight. You will pay more for a single or double sleeper, and if you want to save money while traveling overnight, expect to bunk in a cabin that accommodates six people.
Nearly all trains from Germany to Italy require reservations. If you are traveling in a large group, book as early as possible to ensure you will all be sitting or sleeping together. You can make your reservations online or buy tickets at any train station in Germany or Italy. The price of your ticket will depend on the route and whether you are traveling first or second-class. Italian train tickets must be validated before you get on the train, otherwise you will be faced with a penalty. Officials regularly check tickets during the trip so look for the validation boxes at the station before you board.
A European rail pass is a great idea if you plan to do a lot of train travel in Italy. You can buy a global, regional or select pass to provide you with travel flexibility and cost savings. Depending on the type of pass you purchase, you will not have to buy any additional train tickets when you want to go from a city in Germany to a city in Italy, although you still need a reservation to ensure you have a seat on these trains.
