Arriving in South Tyrol by Train: Nightjet, Brenner railway and local transport

Travelling to South Tyrol by train is not only more sustainable than by car but often more relaxing. You sit seven hours on the train, eat, read, sleep and get off in Bolzano without having spent an hour in traffic. This cluster shows all train options, from Nightjet to regional trains, and explains how to use local public transport so you can enjoy a wellness week in South Tyrol without a car.

Why arrive by train in South Tyrol

The train ride to South Tyrol has three clear advantages. First sustainability, you save around 75 percent of CO2 compared to a car. Second comfort, you have power, WiFi on most trains, no traffic jams, no snow on the windscreen, no fuel bill. Third time for you, seven hours on the train are seven hours of reading, work or sleep that you cannot have in the car.

What you need is a rail connection from your home town and some planning. The following options cover the main starting points.

Nightjet: overnight to Bolzano

The ÖBB Nightjet is the most comfortable rail connection to South Tyrol. You board in your hometown in the evening and arrive in Bolzano or Bressanone the next morning. Current connections.

Hamburg Bolzano departs 19:30, arrives Bolzano 9:00. Cologne Düsseldorf Bolzano departs 20:30, arrives Bolzano 9:00. Munich Bolzano departs 23:00, arrives Bolzano 7:30. Vienna Bolzano departs 19:42, arrives Bolzano 7:00. Zurich Bolzano departs 21:40, arrives Bolzano 8:30.

You book three categories. The couchette is the cheapest, you share a compartment with five other travellers, the bunks fold out. Price 60 to 110 euros per person. The sleeper is a two or three bed compartment with own linen, washbasin, shared toilet and shower in the carriage. Price 110 to 180 euros per person. The Deluxe sleeper is a private double with shower and toilet, bed, small desk. Price 180 to 280 euros per person.

Breakfast is included in sleeper and Deluxe sleeper. It is brought to your bed: coffee, bread, butter, jam, cheese, speck. You eat in pyjamas and watch the mountains through the window.

Brenner railway by day

If you prefer daytime travel, take the ÖBB EuroCity. Daytime services.

Munich Bolzano in EuroCity takes four hours and 15 minutes. Departures every two hours, hourly at peak times. Direct.

Innsbruck Bolzano takes two hours in EuroCity, direct, no change.

Vienna Bolzano takes seven hours with a change in Innsbruck.

Zurich Bolzano takes five and a half hours with a change at Buchs or Landeck.

Book tickets via ÖBB, DB, SBB or Trenitalia. Early bookers six months ahead pay EuroCity Germany and Austria from 35 euros saver fare, on Sparschiene from 19 euros. Last minute fares 60 to 120 euros per leg.

FlixTrain is another option. FlixTrain Munich Bolzano costs 30 to 80 euros per leg and takes about four hours 30. Comfortable and cheap.

Main railway stations in South Tyrol

You can get off in four South Tyrolean stations.

Bolzano Station is the main hub. It sits in the centre, next to Walther Square. All EuroCity, Nightjet and regional services call here. In front of the station a bus terminal connects to all valleys. Taxi rank, car rental and a large Coop supermarket are inside the station. Ideal arrival for hotels in Bolzano, Appiano, Caldaro, Tramin, Burggrafenamt and Val Venosta.

Bressanone Station is the second stop from the north. EuroCity calls hourly, Nightjet depending on the line. Inside the station bus connections to Val Pusteria, Alta Val Pusteria and Valle Isarco. Ideal arrival for hotels in Bressanone, Chiusa, Varna, Valles, Mühlbach and all Valle Isarco addresses.

Brunico Station is on the Pustertal line. You arrive via the Brenner railway to Fortezza and change there to the Pustertalbahn. Bressanone to Brunico takes about an hour. In front of the station bus connections to all Val Pusteria towns. Ideal arrival for hotels in Brunico, Valdaora, Monguelfo, Dobbiaco, San Candido, Campo Tures, Sesto and Anterselva.

Merano Station sits on the Vinschger Bahn. You arrive via the Brenner railway to Bolzano and change there to the Val Venosta line. Bolzano to Merano takes about 35 minutes. In front of the station bus connections to the Burggrafenamt and Val Venosta. Ideal arrival for hotels in Merano, Algund, Schenna, Tirol and Val Venosta.

From station to hotel: public transport or hotel transfer

You have arrived at the station. How do you get to the hotel?

Option 1: city hotel in the centre. Walk or take a taxi. In Bolzano, Bressanone, Brunico, Merano many hotels are within walking distance or maximum 10 euros taxi away.

Option 2: countryside hotel with bus connection. Take the regional bus, most valley villages are served hourly. Example Bressanone to Valles 45 minutes with two lines. Bolzano to Caldaro 35 minutes with line 199.

Option 3: hotel transfer. Many 4 and 5 star hotels offer a free or cheap shuttle from the station. Book the transfer at least 24 hours ahead and arrive at the hotel without changes.

Option 4: taxi. Bolzano to Caldaro the taxi costs 50 to 60 euros. Bressanone to Valles about 50 euros. More expensive than public transport but direct and fast.

When booking the hotel, ask explicitly about station transfer. Many Adults Only and wellness hotels offer the transfer free with a minimum stay.

Mobilcard and Südtirol Guest Pass

Once you have arrived in South Tyrol you no longer need to worry about public transport. The South Tyrol Mobilcard opens the entire network.

Three options.

South Tyrol Mobilcard gives seven days of unlimited rides on all buses and trains in South Tyrol. Price 35 euros per person. Book online or buy at points of sale such as SAD Bus at Bolzano station or via the app.

MuseumobilCard is the extended version with entry to 80 museums, castles and galleries. Price 38 euros per person for seven days. Recommended for cultural travellers.

Südtirol Guest Pass comes free at check in. Most wellness hotels affiliated with the South Tyrol tourism system include it. Buses and trains are free. Ask before booking.

Sample trip: Hamburg to Valles by train

You live in Hamburg and want to go to Valles in Val Pusteria for a wellness hotel. How?

Day 0 arrival. Departure Hamburg main station 19:30 with Nightjet. Arrive Bolzano 9:00. Breakfast in the sleeper. Get off at Bolzano and take the ÖBB EuroCity to Bressanone, 30 minutes. In Bressanone change to regional bus 320 to Valles, 45 minutes. Arrive at Hotel Falkensteinerhof or Hotel MASL around 11. Check in around 15, in between brunch at the hotel or a small valley hike.

Total duration 15 hours, 12 of them on train or bus. CO2 saving versus the car around 110 kilograms per person.

Day 7 return. Depart Valles with bus 320 to Bressanone at 10:00, arrive 10:45. Change to EuroCity to Munich, four hours 15. In Munich change to ICE to Hamburg, five hours 30. Arrive Hamburg 23:00.

Total cost per person round trip. Nightjet couchette 90 euros outbound, EuroCity Munich Hamburg 80 euros return, bus and train in South Tyrol free with Mobilcard. About 175 euros per person each way.

Sustainability as an argument

If CO2 matters to you, the train is the only sensible choice. A Munich Bolzano leg by train produces about 8 kilograms of CO2 per person. The same leg by car 75. The same leg by plane to Verona plus shuttle 200.

Several wellness hotels in South Tyrol have actively promoted train travel and offer arrival discounts. Book the stay with a train ticket and get 5 to 10 percent off or a spa treatment voucher.

FAQ Train arrival

How far ahead do I book the Nightjet? Six months ahead for peak dates such as Christmas, Easter and summer holidays. Three months ahead is usually fine. Last minute two weeks ahead with a surcharge.

What does the Nightjet cost? Couchette 60 to 110 euros, sleeper 110 to 180 euros, Deluxe sleeper 180 to 280 euros per person and direction.

Do I need a rental car on site? Not necessarily. With the Mobilcard you reach every valley. For very remote farm hotels or spontaneous mountain trips a car is handy.

How much luggage on the Nightjet? Two suitcases plus one carry on per person. Skis and snowboard free in winter.

Can I travel with a bike? Yes. The Nightjet needs a bike space ticket, 10 to 15 euros extra. Book early, slots are limited.

Are there direct connections without changes? From Munich, Innsbruck and Vienna direct by day or night train. From other cities usually one change in Munich, Innsbruck or Verona.

What does the Mobilcard cost? 35 euros for seven days, 23 for three, 15 for one. Free at hotels with Südtirol Guest Pass.

How punctual are the trains? Punctuality in Italy is 85 to 90 percent, in Austria and Germany 75 to 85 percent. On the Nightjet punctuality is high because there are no critical connections.

Practical tips

Seat reservation on EuroCity is mandatory. On the Nightjet the bed number is fixed. Bring snacks, water and a power adapter, most carriages have 230 volts. The dining car serves simple warm food and drinks, slightly more expensive than at the station. If you do not want to carry a bag, Bolzano, Bressanone, Brunico and Merano stations offer luggage storage for 5 to 10 euros per day.

Read on

The big travel pillar is at Travel tips South Tyrol. Hotel page and wellness recommendations at Wellness hotels South Tyrol. A complementary older story on car free arrival with shuttle in detail is the article Car free arrival Dolomites train shuttle 2025.