Book Your Summer Vacation 2025: Essential Train Connections from Munich

As the year progresses, now is an ideal time for travelers to secure their summer vacation plans for 2025. For those wishing to avoid air travel, Munich offers a variety of train connections, particularly night trains, that cater to numerous destinations.

Munich stands out as one of the few cities in Germany with a comprehensive selection of night train services. Currently, the route through the Tauern Pass in Austria is closed due to construction; however, it is expected to reopen in the summer. Therefore, potential travelers are encouraged to make their reservations soon.

For those interested in spending their holiday in Italy, there are several night trains available. Travelers can take the night train to La Spezia, which connects through Milan, Genoa, and the Ligurian coast, or opt for the service to Venice. Additionally, a night train to the Italian capital, Rome, is also available, passing through Bologna and Florence. Those heading north can travel on night trains from Munich to Hamburg or Amsterdam, while a service to Brussels operates on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. There are also options for eastern European destinations, including night trains to Warsaw, Budapest, and Zagreb, although not all night trains stop at Munich Central Station, with some only serving Munich East.

Which routes are affected by the closure of the Tauern Pass? The connections to Italy, including La Spezia, Rome, and Venice, are impacted. The ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) plans to reinstate these routes by July 14, just ahead of the beginning of the Bavarian summer holidays on August 1.

In previous years, there was also a night train to the Adriatic coast in Croatia. The Croatian Railways (HZ) had operated a EuroNight service to Rijeka via the coastal city of Opatija. However, a spokesperson has confirmed that this service will not run in summer 2025 due to operational changes involving new electric trains on the Rijeka-Ljubljana route, which prevents them from providing a connecting carriage.

Planning ahead is crucial for those looking to travel by night train. Experts suggest that these services tend to fill up quickly during the summer months, particularly on routes heading south. As advised by travel organizations, booking should ideally occur four to six weeks before departure, with even earlier reservations recommended for peak holiday periods.

For booking, customers are encouraged to utilize the Deutsche Bahn website or the DB Navigator app, as these platforms typically offer the most comprehensive listings and competitive pricing. However, it can be beneficial to check the respective rail operator's website--such as the ÖBB for their night trains or the Croatian and Hungarian rail companies--since prices can vary significantly.

When booking, travelers can choose between accommodations in a 'sleeper car' or a 'shared cabin.' The sleeper car offers a higher level of comfort and privacy, whereas the shared cabin, akin to a hostel experience, involves multiple passengers sharing a space. Prices for these accommodations can vary widely, particularly during peak travel times.

Travelers should expect to pay anywhere from approximately 50 euros for a lie-down space on a night train to as much as 700 euros for a sleeper cabin during high-demand periods. For instance, a roundtrip from Munich to Rome might cost around 154.90 euros, while a trip to Amsterdam could be found for about 54.90 euros, given that reservations are made well in advance.

Differences among train operators are notable; ÖBB's night trains generally offer a higher standard of service and comfort compared to those run by Eastern European railways, where lower prices may come with reduced amenities. First-time night train travelers should prepare for overnight journeys by packing comfortable clothing and remain aware of potential border checks that may occur during the early morning hours.

In instances where night trains are fully booked, daytime services are available. New routes include an ICE train to Amsterdam and EuroCity trains to Zurich, alongside regular services to Venice, with additional routes to popular holiday destinations during the summer months.