Search

Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Travelzoo: Venice via the Alps

London to Venice by rail via Munich and the Alps

Illustration of Travelzoo: Venice via the Alps

Tailor Made Rail's Travelzoo: Venice via the Alps is a 6-day, 5-night self-guided independent rail holiday running from London to Venice and back, entirely by train. Day 1 leaves London St Pancras on Eurostar to Paris, then continues in first class to Munich for an overnight stay. Day 2 opens with a morning in Munich before the Austrian RailJet crosses the Alps via the Brenner Pass and the Austrian Tyrol into Venice, where three nights at leisure allow time for St Mark's Square, its basilica and campanile, galleries such as the Accademia or Peggy Guggenheim Museum, and boat trips to Lagoon islands like Murano and Lido. The return route runs via Milan and a Frecciarossa crossing of the Alps to Lyon for an overnight stay on the River Rhone, before a TGV to Lille and an evening Eurostar back to London. With all rail in first class and hand-picked hotels with breakfast throughout, the trip suits independent travellers and first-time rail travellers who want the connections planned for them.

What to know before you look closer

  • All three hotels, in Munich, Venice, and Lyon, are marked 'or similar' in the itinerary, so the final properties depend on availability at the time of booking.
  • The from-price varies by season, from GBP 899 per person in November to GBP 1,399 per person for May and June departures.
  • This is a self-guided, independent rail holiday; no tour manager or guide accompanies the trip, though travel documentation and rerouting support are provided.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Munich

    London to Munich

    Depart London St Pancras late morning on Eurostar, travelling in Eurostar Plus (first) class to Paris Gare du Nord. After a short walk to Gare de l'Est, continue in first class on the direct train to Munich, where you will be staying overnight.

  2. Day 2overnight: Venice

    Munich to Venice

    After a morning exploring Munich, board the Austrian RailJet departure just before lunch, and marvel at the scenery of the Brenner Pass as you head across the Alps, passing through the Austrian Tyrol and into Italy. On arrival in Venice, check in for a 3-night stay in Cannaregio, within walking distance of Santa Lucia station.

  3. Day 3overnight: Venice

    Venice

    A full day at leisure in Venice, with time to discover the city's many attractions, including St Mark's Square and its basilica and campanile.

  4. Day 4overnight: Venice

    Venice

    A second full day at leisure in Venice. Visit galleries like the Accademia or Peggy Guggenheim Museum, or travel by boat to other islands in the Venetian Lagoon such as Murano and Lido.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Lyon

    Venice to Lyon

    Check out after breakfast and return to the station. Take a comfortable high-speed train to Milan, changing here for a Frecciarossa train across the Alps to Lyon. Overnight stay in this pretty city on the River Rhône.

  6. Day 6rail

    Lyon to London

    Board a modern TGV train up to Lille, bypassing Paris, in good time for an evening Eurostar back to London, with a free light meal and drinks on the way.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Austrian RailJet crosses the Alps via the Brenner Pass, passing through the Austrian Tyrol, on the way from Munich to Venice.
  • Day 3A full day at leisure in Venice includes St Mark's Square, its basilica, and campanile.
  • Day 4A second full day at leisure in Venice allows time for galleries such as the Accademia or Peggy Guggenheim Museum, or a boat trip to the islands of Murano and Lido in the Venetian Lagoon.
  • Day 5A high-speed train to Milan connects to a Frecciarossa train back across the Alps to Lyon, a city on the River Rhone.

Included

  • All rail journeys, in first class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 5 nights' hand-picked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, all rail journeys are included in first class, covering Eurostar from London to Paris, a direct train to Munich, the Austrian RailJet to Venice via the Brenner Pass, a train to Milan, the Frecciarossa to Lyon, and the TGV and Eurostar back to London.
Is it escorted or independent?
It is a self-guided, independent tailor-made rail holiday with no tour manager or guide; travel documentation, ticket despatch by email, and proactive rerouting support are included.
Which hotels are included?
One night in Munich (Eurostars Book, or similar), 3 nights in Venice's Cannaregio district (Carnival Palace, or similar), and 1 night in Lyon (Mercure Lyon Centre, or similar), all with breakfast.
When does this trip run?
Departures run from October through June, with prices from GBP 899 per person in November up to GBP 1,399 per person for May and June departures.
How much walking is involved?
The trip includes a short walk between Paris stations, a morning exploring Munich, and two full days at leisure exploring Venice on foot or by boat to the Lagoon islands; no hikes are described.

Similar journeys