Over the Brenner Pass from the Adriatic to the Tyrol — the most dramatic mountain crossing in Europe
7–10
Days
2
Countries
saves ~95kg CO₂ vs flying
Climate impact
🚄 EuroCity (EC) Verona–Innsbruck
2h30 through the Adige valley and Brenner Pass — 6–8 trains daily, covered by Interrail
🚄 Frecciarossa Venice–Verona
40 min from the lagoon to the Brenner corridor — then switch to EuroCity northbound
🚄 ÖBB Nightjet Vienna–Rome
The overnight option — cross the same pass in your sleep, arriving Rome by morning. See our Nightjet guide.
The Brenner Pass has been the main route between Italy and the Germanic world since Roman times. EuroCity trains follow the Adige river north through Verona, Bolzano and Brixen, then climb through dramatic gorges to Innsbruck in the Austrian Tyrol. The views of the Dolomites from the Bolzano plain, the narrow canyon between Brixen and the Brenner, and the sudden arrival into the snow-capped Tyrol make this one of the great train journeys in Europe — and most passengers are just commuting.
Route highlight
✨ The Bolzano–Innsbruck gorge section — narrow canyon, rushing river, medieval castles on cliff edges. Keep your phone out.