Paris Munich with only 30min leeway for onward connections, crazy?

[signed]

Last time I did, in 2022, Paris-Munich (Paris-Stuttgart - Stuttgart-Munich) I got delayed 2h and the punctuality at that time seemed daft at best. I am not worried about the Paris-Stuttgart train, but it's mostly the Stuttgart-Munich that worries me.

I assume nothing has changed and there is no way I could get the 1333 Brenner Pass Railjet to Bologna by taking the 0654 Paris - (Karlshrue or Stuttgart depending on the timetable as they seem to be truncated to the former from sometimes in April) - Stuttgart - Munich arrival 1249

Has punctuality improved since 2022?

 

[rvdborgt]

Has punctuality improved since 2022?

Quite the contrary.
If you take an early train from Paris, there's no need to be worried about getting to Munich. If you miss your connection, there's always a next train, often multiple trains per hour.
I just checked on a random date (11/3), and between the arrival of the TGV in Stuttgart and departure of the RJ to Bologna, there are 3 ICEs to get you to Munich in time. There's always a chance you won't make it of course, but smaller delays shouldn't be a problem. My strategy would be not to plan a long delay in Stuttgart and just to take the first train to Munich that turns up there. Possibly a delayed train that you normally couldn't catch - just check the DB Navigator app.
You can check past punctuality of your trains on sites like zugfinder.de or bahn.expert.

 

[30907]

Plan B would still allow you a tight connection at Verona onto a RV to Bologna that night. No idea if the later RJ is likely to be punctual or if TI would hold the regional train though.

 

[signed]

Plan B would still allow you a tight connection at Verona onto a RV to Bologna that night. No idea if the later RJ is likely to be punctual or if TI would hold the regional train though.

My destination is actually Rovereto, a stop on the RJ just before Verona

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Jan 2025 ==

My strategy would be not to plan a long delay in Stuttgart and just to take the first train to Munich that turns up there. Possibly a delayed train that you normally couldn't catch - just check the DB Navigator app.
You can check past punctuality of your trains on sites like zugfinder.de or bahn.expert.

My worry is much more the Stuttgart-Munich more than the Paris-Stuttgart. And also the reservation-required nature of the RJ that may mean I will probably need to get a reservation on the 1333 and on the 1533, wasting €18 in the process.

 

[rvdborgt]

My worry is much more the Stuttgart-Munich more than the Paris-Stuttgart. And also the reservation-required nature of the RJ that may mean I will probably need to get a reservation on the 1333 and on the 1533, wasting €18 in the process.

Reservations are optional there. If you're travelling on Interrail, then there's a mandatory supplement (€10/15 in 2nd/1st class) but that can't sell out and can be booked online until the last moment, even when you're already on the train (it's only needed from Brenner). And the staff also sell it.

 

[signed]

If you're travelling on Interrail, then there's a mandatory supplement (€10/15 in 2nd/1st class) but that can't sell out and can be booked online until the last moment, even when you're already on the train (it's only needed from Brenner). And the staff also sell it.

That's great, I am well too used to trains selling out

 

[Mainline421]

My worry is much more the Stuttgart-Munich more than the Paris-Stuttgart. And also the reservation-required nature of the RJ that may mean I will probably need to get a reservation on the 1333 and on the 1533, wasting €18 in the process.

Reservations are entirely optional and the supplement can be paid when your ticket is checked onboard (this is advertised as an option), so no need to worry or pre-book.

 

[Austriantrain]

My destination is actually Rovereto, a stop on the RJ just before Verona

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Jan 2025 ==


My worry is much more the Stuttgart-Munich more than the Paris-Stuttgart. And also the reservation-required nature of the RJ that may mean I will probably need to get a reservation on the 1333 and on the 1533, wasting €18 in the process.

When will you be travelling? While reservations are indeed optional, these trains can get very full in Season.

 

[signed]

When will you be travelling?

A Saturday in early May, probably the 10th

 

[paul_munich]

ICE 563 dep. Stuttgart Hbf 10:51, arr. Munich Hbf 12:53 is a ICE3neo, that has been on time in 68% in the last month, the average delay was 4'.
Zugfinder.net

 

[Austriantrain]

A Saturday in early May, probably the 10th

That could mean quite full trains.

 

[signed]

That could mean quite full trains.

Would you recommend getting a reservation on both the trains (just in case)? I can't find the cancellation policy for the interrail surcharge on the ÖBB English website

 

[rvdborgt]

10 May is not in a long weekend. I wouldn't be too worried. Although ÖBB say they expect it to be busy. You can keep an eye on the available seats on the ÖBB website; there's a seat map.

I can't find the cancellation policy for the interrail surcharge on the ÖBB English website

It says "Cancellation free of charge before 1st valid day." in a number of places.
But there's no need to buy it in advance if you're not sure which train you'll get. I'd probably buy it only after boarding in Munich. Or wait for the ticket inspector after Brenner.

 

[signed]

I ended up scrapping the day train idea because of works at Paris Est that make the 0654 not run, gonna go with the Nightjet to Munich and then pick up the Brenner RJ from there