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Tailor Made Rail · Independent rail holiday

Venice via the Brenner Pass

Seven-day independent rail journey from London to Venice through the Austrian Alps

Illustration of Venice via the Brenner Pass

Tailor Made Rail's Venice via the Brenner Pass is a seven-day independent rail holiday linking London and Venice through the heart of the Austrian Alps. The journey spans four countries: you depart London by Eurostar, cross into Germany and Austria on high-speed ICE trains, descend through the Brenner Pass into Italy, and return to London via the French Alps. The trip includes six nights' accommodation in Cologne, Innsbruck, Venice (three nights), and Chambery, all with breakfast. All rail fares, seat reservations, and travel documentation are included. Day 2 traces the Rhine Gorge with its castles and vineyards before climbing toward the Alps; Day 3 carries you over the Brenner Pass and into the Venetian lagoon. You have two full days to explore Venice's canals and piazzas at your own pace, a free morning in Innsbruck, and an overnight in the medieval Alpine town of Chambery before the return journey. This suits independent travellers new to rail holidays, couples, and repeat rail enthusiasts seeking a classic Alpine crossing.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are listed as 'or similar', meaning your final accommodation may differ from those named.
  • The single supplement (1249 GBP from the evidence) is roughly double the per-person low-season rate, a substantial surcharge for solo travellers.
  • Day 3 includes a free morning in Innsbruck; the cable car to Nordkette is optional and not included in the package price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cologne

    London to Cologne

    Travel to Brussels by Eurostar this morning and make an easy change onto the German rail network. Zip across to Cologne and check in for an overnight stay at the Mondial am Dom MGallery (or similar), close to the famous cathedral and main station.

  2. Day 2overnight: Innsbruck

    Cologne to Innsbruck

    Board another ICE service bound for Innsbruck, the unofficial 'capital of the Alps'. The journey takes you across the Rhine and along its western bank, past castles, vineyards and the villages of Boppard and Bingen, then south-east towards Lake Constance and the Austrian border, growing more mountainous towards Innsbruck. Overnight stop at the AC Innsbruck Hotel (or similar).

  3. Day 3overnight: Venice

    Innsbruck to Venice

    A free morning in Innsbruck to explore, perhaps taking the cable car up to the Nordkette for sweeping views. In the afternoon, travel through the Tyrol region of Austria, continuing through the Brenner Pass and down into Italy, passing Verona before crossing the lagoon into Venice. Head to the Hotel Firenze (or similar) for a 3-night stay.

  4. Day 4overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Enjoy Venice in all its splendour. The most popular hub of the city is St Mark's Square, the regal piazza that opens out onto the mouth of the Grand Canal and the Venetian Lagoon, with plenty of sights to be found in the narrow maze of streets.

  5. Day 5overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Take a vaporetto along the water to see the best of Venice, or get out onto other islands in the Lagoon such as colourful Murano and Burano, or Venice Lido with its beaches on the Adriatic.

  6. Day 6overnight: Chambery

    Venice to Chambery

    Leave your hotel after breakfast and return to Santa Lucia station for your journey north to Milan. Change onto a service via Turin and across the French border to Chambery, arriving at the Mercure Chambery Centre (or similar) for an overnight stay in this pretty Alpine town with its medieval castle and old town area.

  7. Day 7rail

    Chambery to London

    Check out of your hotel and return to the station for your high-speed TGV service back to Paris. On arrival into Paris Gare de Lyon, transfer to the Gare du Nord by metro, then board a Eurostar back to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The ICE train travels past castles and vineyards along the Rhine's western bank, then follows the river southeast toward Lake Constance and the Austrian border, with mountains growing more prominent toward Innsbruck.
  • Day 3The train descends through the Tyrol region and the Brenner Pass into Italy, passing Verona before crossing the lagoon into Venice.
  • Day 4Explore St Mark's Square, the regal piazza opening onto the mouth of the Grand Canal and the Venetian Lagoon, surrounded by narrow streets.
  • Day 5Travel by vaporetto to the colourful islands of Murano and Burano in the lagoon, or visit the beaches of the Venice Lido on the Adriatic.

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 6 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 all the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes all rail journeys in standard class from London to Venice and onwards to Chambery, plus seat reservations where required. Optional upgrades to First Class are available for an additional 150 GBP per person.
Is this trip guided or self-guided?
This is an independent, self-guided rail holiday. Tailor Made Rail provides easy-to-follow travel documentation and tickets, but there is no tour guide. You make your own way between trains and hotels.
What is included in the price?
All rail journeys in standard class, seat reservations, six nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast, easy-to-follow travel documentation, email ticket despatch, and proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions.
How many nights will I spend in each location?
Cologne: 1 night. Innsbruck: 1 night. Venice: 3 nights. Chambery: 1 night.
When does this trip run and what does it cost?
The operator offers year-round departure availability. Low season (November to March) starts from 949 GBP per person. High season (April to October) starts from 1149 GBP per person. Single rooms start from 1249 GBP.
Which trains do I travel on?
Eurostar (London to Brussels), ICE (Cologne to Innsbruck), regional services (Innsbruck to Venice via the Brenner Pass), and TGV (Chambery to Paris on the return, with Eurostar from Paris to London).

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