Munich to Italy via the Brenner Pass

Comfortable EuroCity trains link Munich, Innsbruck & Verona every two hours through the day.  2 trains per day (3 on weekdays) extend to & from Bologna, and 1 train per day (2 at weekends) extend to Venice.  They're run jointly by DB (German Railways) and ÖBB (Austrian Railways), using comfortable Austrian air-conditioned carriages, now being progressively replaced by new-generation railjet trains between April & October 2024.  EuroCity is a generic term for quality express trains across much of Europe.  These spacious and comfortable trains pass through the scenic Brenner Pass between Innsbruck & Verona, see the photos & video below.  The journey is a treat, sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy the ride.

small bullet point  What are the EuroCity trains like?

small bullet point  What are the new railjet trains like?

small bullet point  Route map

small bullet point  Travel tips

small bullet point  How to check train times, fares & tickets

small bullet point  Scenery & sights

small bullet point  Video guide:  By train through the Brenner Pass

small bullet point  Station guidesMunich Hbf, Innsbruck Hbf, Verona Porta Nuova, Venice Santa Lucia

What are the EuroCity trains like?

Until April 2024, all departures are classified EuroCity (EC) and composed of comfortable Austrian EuroCity cars from the 1990s, with 1st & 2nd class, a refreshment trolley, power sockets at some but not all seats, although there's no WiFi.  The trains no longer have a restaurant car, those cars were becoming unreliable on 3kV DC Italian power supply and it wasn't worth upgrading the power system with their upcoming replacement by new-generation railjet trains between April & October 2024.

Austrian EuroCity train at Munich Hbf

An Austrian EuroCity train at Munich Hbf.

1st class 6-seat compartment   1st class seats in an open-plan car

1st class compartment.  Larger photo.

 

1st class open-plan saloon.  Larger photo.

2nd class seats in an open-plan car   2nd class seats in 6-seat compartments

2nd class open-plan saloon.  Larger photo.

 

2nd class compartment.  Larger photo.

What are the railjet (RJ) trains like?

Starting 8 April 2024, the 13:34 & 15:34 southbound departures from Munich (trains 87 & 89) and 09:01 & 11:01 northbound departures from Verona (trains 86 & 88) become smart new-generation railjet trains.  The remaining departures on this route should become railjets in October.

The new-generation railjets are instantly recognisable as 7 of the 9 cars have low floor centre sections for easy level boarding.  They have economy (2nd), first and business classes (in that order!).  Business class consists of 4 x 4-seat compartments.  There is a redesigned restaurant car with small seating area, some cars have vending machines for tea & coffee operated with contactless bank cards which saves the trek to the restaurant.  Naturally, there are power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, as with current railjets, and first and business class passengers can have food & drink orders taken and served at their seat, no need to visit the restaurant unless you want to.  Another innovation is luggage racks with built-in cable ties to secure your bags for peace of mind, they are secured with any NFC card such as a contactless bank card.  See inside the new generation railjets in this video See seat map.

New generation railjet at Innsbruck

New generation railjet at Innsbruck.  Note the low-floor section for easy boarding.  Courtesy of @SimplyRailway.  Interior photos courtesy of ÖBB.

Economy class seats in a new generation railjet   Economy class seats in a new generation railjet

Economy class, open saloon.

 

Economy class.  Note the wireless charging pad.

Economy class 6-seat compartment in a new generation railjet   First class seats in a new generation railjet

Economy class, 6-seat compartment.

 

First class, all in open saloons.  Larger photo.

Business class 4-seat compartment in a new generation railjet   Restaurant car in a new generation railjet

Business class = just four 4-seat compartments.

 

Restaurant car.

Bike area in a new generation railjet   Luggage rack with lockable cables in a new generation railjet

Bike spaces & tip-up seats.

 

Luggage rack with lockable cables.

Route map

Munich to Venice train route map

 

Click for larger map

Highlighted = Munich to Venice train route.

Red = high-speed lines.  Black = conventional lines. 

Green = scenic sections of line.

Reproduced from the European Rail Map with kind permission of the European Rail Timetable people.

I recommend buying a copy of this Rail Map, www.europeanrailtimetable.eu with shipping worldwide.

European Rail Timetable and map

Travel tips

Power outlets in a 6-seat 2nd class compartment   In open-plan cars, bags can go between seat backs

All seats have access to power sockets, of the normal European 2-pin type.  This is a 2nd class compartment.

 

In open-plan cars in both 1st & 2nd class you can slide your larger bags between the seat backs.

In open-plan cars, bags can go between seat backs   Table with a view

2nd class 6-seat compartment, showing corridor.

 

A restaurant car is no longer attached.

Fares & how to buy tickets

Scenery & sights on the Brenner route

Between Munich and Innsbruck, the train runs through the Tirol on a broad valley between imposing mountains.  Leaving Innsbruck, the train climbs steeply towards the Brenner Pass. snaking through a steep and narrow valley between the peaks parallel with the impressive Brenner pass highway on your right.  Watch out for St  Jodok, where the train makes a 180 degree turn in a pretty valley, around the village and its church then through the Jodok spiral tunnel, climbing all the way.  The summit of the line is reached at Brenner station, 1,371m (4,498 feet) above sea level, the highest point on both the ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) & Trenitalia standard-gauge networks.  Brenner station is also of course where two dictators met and conferred in 1940, see this Pathé News video.  South of Brenner, the valley widens out, with plenty of vineyards in evidence.  Look out for hilltop castles and forts, including the large one built in 1838 at Fortezza, just south of the station on the left hand side when going south.  Uniquely, in this part of Italy you'll find both Italian and German languages used.  You can read more about the Brenner Railway at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brenner_Railway.

The Brenner route:  on the Jodok spiral   The church at St Jodok

A road bridge high alongside the railway on the steep climb from Innsbruck to the Brenner Pass.

 

The little church at St Jodok where the train curves around the village.

Mountains of the Brenner Pass

Mountains on the Brenner route.

Scenery (and vineyards!) on the Brenner route   Scenery on the Brenner route

Vineyards, mountains and castles south of Brenner.

Castle seen from the Brenner route train

Watch out for hilltop fortresses, this is an unidentified fortress on a hill overlooking a village.  The largest of the bunch is the great fort at Fortezza, built in 1838 to guard the pass (on the right hand side going north, left hand side going south, to the south of the station). 

Castle seen from the Brenner route train

More mountains on the Brenner route, between Brixen and Bolzano.

Hilltop fortresses seen from the Brenner Pass train

Hilltop castles as Chiusa-Klausen, south of Brixen as the train gathers speed for Verona.

Hilltop fortresses seen from the Brenner Pass train

More scenery between Brixen & Verona, along the river Adige.

Going over the causeway on the train to Venice   Venice Santa Lucia station

The train rumbles over the famous causeway across the lagoon into central Venice, with anticipation building.  Arriving at Venice Santa Lucia, on the Grand Canal itself, you walk out to see gondolas & vaporettos right in front of you.

Watch the video


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