Where next? Bolzano/Bozen – Innsbruck – Munich via Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The summary – dreamy Northern Italy, Tyrol cultural region, Austria and spirit of Bavaria in Southern Germany.
How about winter? Spectacular mountain views and glimmers from the train – 3 countries and 2 languages with one ticket.
A train ride of almost 4 hours that starts in Munich and continues in Innsbruck through the Alps to explore more of Northern Italy in Bolzano, and then with the option to go further to Verona and Bologna. Or the other way around. I believe that this route is one of the most beautiful, especially in winter, though I could be wrong since there are so many scenic train routes in this world.
Until now, my most memorable train journeys were from the Italian coast to Florence through Tuscany and in the Black Forest. For me is a relaxing form of (slow) traveling, and I will tell you why. The trains in this part of Europe are comfortable, there is no rush at the airport, the timetable can be convenient, mostly on time, tickets are affordable, all available for purchase in this case on the go from DeutscheBahn or ÖBB apps, and lastly, the views are stunning.
Train route: Bolzano / Bozen – Brixen / Bressanone – Franzensfeste / Fortezza – Brenner / Brennero – Innsbruck Hbf – Jenbach – Wörgl Hbf – Kufstein – Rosenheim – München Ost – München Hauptbahnhof
Train traveling is quieter, leaves space for reflection. Made me think of what aspects stayed the same and how much travel changed in many ways because of technology. Indeed a relaxed trip with just a smartphone, one bank card, a backpack plus my Uniqlo purse and other basic essentials. And with a feeling of freedom. Being born by the sea, I associated freedom with water, but now I also see it in the mountains, in their scenery that feels infinite.
Dolomites and Bolzano – Innsbruck, Tyrol
🚂 This journey with regional train RJ 88 started for me in Italy, in the train ride from Trento to Bolzano/Bozen and it continued until a quick stop in Innsbruck. The train journey is only 2 hours and 30 minutes. The trip included also a special treat, a wellness hotel in the Dolomites, plus mountain air, and was followed by a short hike in Bolzano/Bozen. After all, the Dolomites’s Cortina d’Ampezzo will co-host together with Milan the 2026 Winter Olympics.
We are now still in Süd Tirol (or Alto Adige in Italian). Before the trip, I read about the history of this autonomous region of Italy, once part of Austria. And you notice immediately that city names are in both Italian and German, or that all signs in the cities and all announcements in the train are also in both languages. I was told that in fact in the region is a majority of German-speaking. Reading signs in a familiar language made me feel like home. And in the same time I wonder why I did not take this train trip sooner.
🚂 In the train, in just a few hours, the landscape on the route changed from green and sunny sky in Italy, to snow and freezing temperatures in Austria and Germany, with mountain peaks covered in fog and trees dressed in snow. Some sections are with an elevation above sea level at even 1370m. Since this mountain railway was designed and sections were completed around 1860s, was definitely an engineering and infrastructure success for those times.
Read also – Memories – “AIDA” in Verona
🚂 Over the Brenner pass, the section between Bressanone / Brixen – Brennero / Brenner – Innsbruck was for me the most scenic, while approaching the border of Italy and Austria. Definitely the highlight of the entire journey. It was there were snow was visible and temperature become negative, dropping well below 0. While the train slides and literally twists, there are spectacular views over the mountains to be admired in awe.
Innsbruck – Munich
🚂 Next, from Austria’s Innsbruck to Munich. I have done this sections on two occasions. There are two ways to reach Munich Hbf from Innsbruck Hbf, with a direct connections in this same regional train, that lasts around 1 hour and 45 minutes, with a few stops. The mountain views are of course very pretty in this first one option, but the alternative with the Sbahn was by far my favorite, to see more of Bayern, in the heart of the mountains.
🚂 The second option is longer, and is with the Austrian S-bahn 6, with 12 stops along the way in 1 hour and 20 minutes until Garmish-Partenkirchen. From there is a direct regional train to Munich. If you have the option to choose the route and time available, I recommend the 2nd one. To start exploring more of that part of Bavaria, the journey can be continued actually further with other german regional trains to Zugspitze – the highest mountain in Germany – or to Füssen to see Neuschwanstein castle.
🚂 In the Sbahn from Innbruck with destination Garmish-Partenkirchen the mountain views are so far spectacular. Was another highlight of the journey and piece of the puzzle of 2024. Looking either to the right or left, as watching a tennis match, with a fear of missing out. Pictures cannot do it justice.
Traveling with a train in the Alps covered in snow really has its own unique charm. There should be a White Lotus seasons filmed here, but I don’t know if I am ready.
I have one last ICE train to take from Munich to Berlin, but not before asking if you took this train ride or you plan to? And do you have another route in the mountains that you recommend?
Travel Journal 
Brenner Pass is surely one of the most scenic train journeys in the world from Innsbruck or Munich, climbing through tunnels and over the pass before dropping down through Trentino and onto the plains of Italy. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Aiva, thank you for your message. Indeed, it was spectacular, and I did not know what to expect from this journey, because I have not read much before online about the Brenner pass. Have a great day too!
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🥰🥰🥰
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Seems like a beautiful journey through snowy landscapes! I remember going often to Alto Adige when I was a kid, living in Italy, and I loved it! I don’t love being surrounded by mountains, but they offer something magical that the sea can’t!
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What beautiful childhood memories from Alto Adige you must have. I feel the same way, and I always associated mountains with holiday
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