Hi- We are flying into Rome, visiting Sorrento, Pompeii, Naples. We head to Florence, then to Venice, and then move on to Bologna. We have our itinerary completed through Bologna and was planning to take the train from Bologna to Colmar, but one of the members of our group has been there. So being that we are planning to be in Beaune, and then flying home from Paris, and have a couple days, 2 nights to stay somewhere, we wanted to visit a place that makes sense for a good connection. Chamonix looks like it is on the route, but long travel times. Any advice or suggestions would be great. Trying to stay in just the 2 countries for Covid travel purposes, but not against Switzerland. But Chamonix would be ideal. And by Train, if possible. Thank you.
Posted by
Woodbridge, CA, USA
46 posts
If going to Beaune, make dinner reservations well ahead of time. We didn't and missed out on some really good restaurants.
Posted by
Freedonia
16413 posts
Turin? Lyon?
Posted by
Irving
3277 posts
After departing Florence SM Novella station why not get off at the Central Bologna station which is the first stop (1h)? Venice is another 1h 45m by direct train and make sure you get off at the Venice S Lucia station which is the end of the line.
To get from Venice to Chamonix Flixbus.com has a direct route departing from the Venice Tronchetto station taking 8h 30m.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
7052 posts
I agree that between Bologna and Beaune the to obvious stop overs are Lyon or Turin if you want to avoid Switzerland. Or if you want to stop in small town in the Alps (since you mentioned Chamonix), howabout Modane? Unlike Chamonix it is pretty easy to get there as the trains between Lyon and Turin stop there on the way.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4167 posts
Considering that your established itinerary takes you west to Beaune and Paris , from Bologna , the long travel time you mention is unavoidable . Bologna to Chamonix is six hours, and on the trains, very comfortable ( you can walk about , adequate bathroom facilities , and refreshment service , if you desire .) . There are several changes , but they are all very easy and the last legs comprise The Mont Blanc Express , which takes you from Martigny ( CH ) up above The Trient Gorge , to Chamonix . Striking scenery and some of the best eye candy , particularly on a nice day . The changes at Brig , Martigny , and Vallorcine are all simple cross platform ones , making the switches , very easy . From Chamonix to your destinations in France , you can either take a navette shuttle to Geneva ,and then onward by train , or The Mont Blanc Express west to St Gervais - LeFayet , switch to a TER train to Bellegarde sur Valserine , and then onwards into France .
Posted by
OP
Denver, CO, USA
3 posts
Thank you for the great advice.
We are going to Venice before Bologna to avoid being in Venice on the weekend. I think Chamonix is where we will go. Any advice on the easiest way to purchase tickets would be appreciated.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4167 posts
Just hitting the hay right now . I'll write back tomorrow with ticketing information .
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4167 posts
To begin , depending on how familiar you are with European train travel, this site is a wealth of information on how to use rail in Europe - https://www.seat61.com/ . First , go to Bahn
de . https://www.bahn.com/en
This is the German Rail site , and plug in your departure and arrival stations , and other pertinent information . It will bring you to a list of trains . While you cannot buy your tickets here , it will show times , train numbers ( essential to know ) and transfer information . . You will need to purchase the tickets thus - Bologna Centrale to Brig Bahnhof ( CH ) buy from Italian Railways . Trenitalia . Brig Bahnhof to Chamonix Mont Blanc ( France ) buy from SBB CFF , Swiss Federal Railway . It is not possible to buy this trip from one company . Be sure to register with each provider before buyng tickets , many advantages to this , so don't skip this step . As I have put in arbitrary dates , trains leaving Bologna at 9:18 and 9:51 get to Brig at 13:16 giving you ten minutes to change trains ( very easy ) Arrive at Chamonix at 15:45 Trenitalia - https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html SBB - https://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html When departing Chamonix , onward trains in France - French Rail SNCF -https://www.sncf.com/en If you need more help , don't hesitate to write ! PS , buying tickests well in advance can save a fair amount , good to keep in mind
Posted by
Irving
3277 posts
Flixbus has a 7h 30m direct bus departing from Bologna’s central station to Chamonix.
Posted by
Los Angeles
1825 posts
I haven't researched this in two years but the last time traveled from Florence to Beaune it was via Milan-Lausanne-Dijon-Beaune. 4 trains, twelve hours with decent views of mountains and lakes. If you are traveling with a group, I'd cut down on short stops. Beaune is the one place I must work in on my next trip.