Our train is booked out of Florence on September 29. We are on the Frecciarossa 9508 to Milan and then the EuroCity 158 to Lucerne. However, we received an email from Trenitalia telling us the 158 was cancelled. I assume it was because of the Tunnel closure. That is all the information I've received. I know they arrange passengers to get to their destinations but I can't find anything that tells me how they are doing that. All I can find is that the arrangements mean we'll get in an hour later than usual. Shouldn't they have sent us info on what new train we should be taking? We can't seem to get them on the phone.
Posted by
Maryland
910 posts
Check the SBB website. It may have more information if you dig deeper than I tried.
Disruption of the Gotthard Base Tunnel.
The Gotthard base tunnel will remain closed to passenger trains. Trains will be diverted via the Panorama line until further notice. The changed journey times due to the diversion have been adjusted in the online timetable until 09.12.2023. The seating and bicycle space capacities are limited.
Posted by
Green Bay
21218 posts
Note that NickB is using European date convention. Time table is updated to Dec 9.
What time did Trenitalia say you arrive in Luzern? That time will show up on the SBB website so you can see the exact trains. You will probably have to change trains in Ath-Goldau and it may show only a few minutes to make the change. Don't worry, there are 3 trains every hour from Arth-Goldau to Luzern. If you did miss the connection, just wait for the next train.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
Are you sure Trenitalia is not refunding the EC 158 ticket? They may imply you must pick another solution by yourself.
Trains have been running between Milan and Lucern for decades before the Gotthard Tunnel.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
We were actually able to connect with a Trenitalia agent this morning and she said that we just have to go to the station and show them our tickets and they arrange another train. Good to know we will probably get where we need to go but I am also worried that the entire day will be taken up with traveling and we will miss time in Luzerne. I can't make any sense of the SBB website. I've searched through it and haven't been able to find anything.
Posted by
Green Bay
21218 posts
FR 9508 arrived at Milano Central at 9:50 am. At SBB just put in "from" Milano Centrale, and "to" Luzern, date of travel (Sept 29), and departure time ((10:00 am). Hit search button and you will see all the options. RE 80 is the next available train to Lugano at 10:40ish. At Lugano, connecting train to Arth-Goldau, then connecting train to Luzern. You will also see an EC train after 11 am direct to Arth-Goldau. Since your previous EC 158 included a seat reservation, you be able to get one for that train as well.
Posted by
Wengen
2533 posts
The important thing to remember is that cancellation of a train does not imply cancellation of a ticket.
So you still have a valid ticket for Milano - Luzern, and the railways are still obliged to transport you. So in Milan just look what the next departure is to Switzerland, and just take that. If you have some time you could go to the station in Florence first, and have you ticket exchanged there. But strictly speaking you should not have to waste time at the ticket office, or spend extra money because of an issue with the trains.