Does anyone have any insight into the cost and scheduling for train travel between Salzburg and Florence? I looked at flights but they are too expensive. Likewise for sleeper cars, so I think we will all have to just suck it up and plan for a long, long journey (maybe 12-14 hours?). I also wanted to ask if anyone might know when these schedules might open up for travel in June 2021. Thanks for any help with this.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11177 posts
Looking at thetrainline.com for a date in Aug it shows fares in the $75-$140 range for a 9-10 hour trip.
I suspect the actual schedule for June 2021 will not be published until Dec.
I also suspect the airfares ( $480?) will go down once the situation is less murky. Probably would be no problem to wait until Dec to see what the choices are then. Flying from Munich looks to be a viable option, for much less.
Posted by
OP
new orleans
237 posts
Thank u so much
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
208 posts
We took the train from Salzburg to Lake Como last year. Left the Salzburg train station around 7 am; got into Lake Como 5ish. Had to make two transfers, one at Innsbruck, one in Milan, I think. Interesting ride through the Brenner pass. It was the longest single day of travel on our trip (which started in Lvov, and ended in Milan) by far (although the train from Lvov to Tarnow was held up for long periods, and was EXTREMELY full, so in a way was worse).
Florence can't be much longer, so its doable in a long day by train. If you are getting up early, just triple check to make sure you have taken everything with you. I left a significant quantity of insulin in the fridge in Salzburg because we were up and out very quickly.
Posted by
Sweden
6372 posts
When you say that the night train is too expensive, did you take in to account that it will save you one hotel night? When you do that night trains usually become very cheap, even sleeper compartments.
Also, avoid trainline and any other 3rd party resellers. The schedules for next year will be available in november or december but the tickets for June will not go on sale until next year.
One argument for the day train though is that crossing the alps in the day will let you enjow the views.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32740 posts
without looking it up I expect that a decent train journey would be Salzburg > Innsbruck (join the train which originated in Munich) > (through Brenner Pass) > Verona > Bologna > Florence (Firenze SMN).
A lot of the day will be making the connections in Innsbruck, Verona and possibly Bologna. That would likely correspond with meal times but you would likely want to take the meals onboard and have picnics..
There isn't a simpler route because of the mountains in the way.
You could perhaps go on the railway provided bus from Villach toward Venice, then train from there.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5381 posts
You could also consider taking the train from Salzburg to Munich and then flying from there. Many more options out of Munich as it is a major airport.
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
There are many more trains between Bologna and Firenze, there is no way a 2h50 min wait is needed there. Maybe, right now, the schedule you checked is not fully updated (covid19 and all), but generally there are 3 to 4 high-speed trains (37min trip) between Bologna and Firenze every hour. There might also be a faster connection with a high-speed train in Verona itself.
Check that info later.