The issue is that you’re going through Switzerland, not that you are stopping there. You are going to have to pay for your ticket across Switzerland either by buying a point to point ticket or by covering it with your railpass even if you don’t stop. Check the border crossing towns at http://reiseauskunft… and price the border to border ticket in Switzerland at http://www.sbb.ch/en…

You’ll probably be going through part of Austria between Munich and Rome. Does your pass cover Austria? That’s a relatively short stretch, so the point to point ticket will be relatively cheap.

Oh ok, that makes sense. Not sure why I thought you would not have to pay if you are just going through and not stopping. It’s definitely a “duh” moment for me right now!! hehe…

Also, we are staying with family in Munich and they will be driving us around Bavaria (and also to Salzburg). So, we will not be needing a pass for that (or use of our days on the pass).

Hm, so if we leave their house (in Munich), we should still get Austria on our pass to go to Rome? I did not realize this! Although another idea could be we do the austrian stuff during the last part of our visit and just take off from there (let’s say Innsbrook).

Still worth it to add Austria do you figure? Thanks so much, I am confused now and I thought I finally had it figured out

oh ok never mind…I see that you said get a point to point ticket. Yes, I will do that.

This does bring me to another question:

When I want to do a leg (such as munich to rome for example), can you get both at the train station in Rome? (like pay for the point to point and then say you are using the pass for the rest?). Or will we have to buy a point to point, stop at the border and then use the pass? I hope we can do it all in one place

I assume you’re taking an overnight train for Munich to Rome. It might be cheaper to buy the entire ticket than to use a day of your railpass and buy the ticket across Austria — particularly if it allows you to buy a cheaper railpass. There are often great specials for ticket and reservation on overnight trains originating in Germany — they often aren’t that much more expensive than buying “just a reservation” to use with your railpass. Specials as low as 43 euros for ticket and seat reservation and 69 euros for a couchette are available on this route. Check pricing for your dates at the German rail system link in my 1st post.

You can buy whatever ticket and/or reservation you need at any major European train station. You don’t have to get off the train at the border, simply buy the ticket you need at the station before you board the train. Germany is a good place to buy tickets as you’re more likely to find a ticket agent with excellent English skills who’s used to dealing with railpasses, odd combinations of railpass and point to point tickets, etc. but it shouldn’t be too difficult anywhere — although you’ll probably have to face long lines in Italy to buy an international ticket. Write out your destination, the train number and date/time and show your railpass. Knowing the border crossing towns helps, too.

thank you sooo much you are filled with so much information!! do you live in europe, or just travel there a lot? thanks a bunch I am glad I gave myself TONS of time to plan this trip since clearly I still have much to learn!!