By train to South Tyrol
Travelling by train is a convenient and fast alternative to travelling by car. Travelling to South Tyrol by train is ideal, especially if the journey is long and there is a lot of traffic.
Advantages of travelling by train
Travelling by train is an environmentally friendly, often inexpensive and relaxed way to travel: You don't have to concentrate on the traffic, but can read the newspaper in peace, browse through a book or simply look out of the window and enjoy the beauty of the passing landscape.
How long does the train journey take?
With daily direct connections, you can reach South Tyrol within a few hours and without any traffic jams, e.g:
- Munich-Bozen: approx. 4 hours journey time
- Innsbruck-Bozen: approx. 2 hours journey time
- Zurich-Bozen: approx. 5 hours journey time (with 1 change in Innsbruck)
- Vienna-Bozen: approx. 7 hours journey time
Shuttles for the last few kilometres between the train station and your holiday accommodation can be booked quickly and easily online.
Especially comfortable with DB and ÖBB
Both Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) offer a door-to-door luggage service to South Tyrol.
Anyone travelling with DB or ÖBB can purchase a connecting ticket for South Tyrol on board Eurocity trains or at DB travel centres. The connecting ticket must be presented together with a valid EC ticket from DB or ÖBB and must bear the validity date. It allows you to travel to your holiday destination on the day of arrival or to the train station on the day of return. In addition, it is valid on all city and intercity buses, on the Ritten, Jenesien and Kohlern cable car facilities and on the Ritten railway.
Night trains to South Tyrol
Various night train offers allow you to travel without any traffic jams or hectic rush. For example, the new ‘European Sleeper’ night train will take you from Brussels via Cologne and Munich to Bolzano in March and February 2025.
Your holiday begins during the journey. ‘Sleep through’ the journey and arrive in South Tyrol rested in the morning.
Current restrictions on rail transport
Due to important modernization work along the railway lines in the Pustertal and Vinschgau valleys, train journeys are currently not possible without restrictions:
- For those travelling from Austria, the journey from Graz, Carinthia and East Tyrol is affected. From 14 April to 2 June 2025, the railway line between Bruneck and Innichen will be closed. Instead, replacement buses (B500) will run every 30 minutes.
- From Switzerland or Innsbruck, there are replacement buses (B400 from Brixen) along the railway line between Franzensfeste and Bruneck. This line will be closed from 15 December 2024 to 13 December 2025.
Mobility on site
During your holiday in South Tyrol, you can use the Mobilcard for one, three or seven days to travel cheaply and easily on public transport operated by the South Tyrolean Transport Association. The South Tyrolean public transport network includes regional trains and local buses, as well as several cable cars and the Ritten railway: This means that many popular excursion destinations at higher altitudes are easily accessible without a car. The South Tyrolean taxi services provide even more flexibility and comfort.
Further information on journey times, train connections and ticket prices:
- DB - German Railway www.bahn.de
- FS - Railway Italy www.fsitaliane.it
- ÖBB - Austrian Railway www.oebb.at
- SBB - Swiss Federal Railways www.sbb.ch
Frequently asked questions
Can I travel to South Tyrol by train?
Yes, there are numerous train connections to South Tyrol, for example via Munich, Innsbruck or Verona. Thanks to modern EuroCity and regional trains, you can reach your destination comfortably and without traffic jams. The journey time from Munich to Bozen, for example, is only around four hours.
How do I get to Meran without a car?
Without a car, the easiest way to get to Meran is by train or bus via Bozen. Regional trains run regularly between the two cities and take around 45 minutes. Alternatively, there are also direct buses from various airports or larger cities that travel to Meran.
Can I take the train over the Brenner Pass?
Yes, the Brenner route is an important railway connection between Austria and Italy. EuroCity trains run from Munich via Innsbruck and the Brenner Pass to South Tyrol and onwards to Verona or Bologna.