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Luzern to Bari, IT - Gottard Tunnel leg cancellation

Posted by on

Hi All,

Well, I should have been paying more attention to the Gottard Tunnel situation.

I made reservations for 6 Oct from Lucern to Bari to meet friends - was looking forward to long but scenic day with arrival in time for dinner - ah well, best laid plans! We were considering flying, but nothing direct that day from Basel to Bari, and the total time by air with transfers was approaching train time - and, we much prefer trains for scenery. We can't modify much on the departure end since we are terminating in Luzern with river cruise.

  • SBB for the Luzern to Lugano leg ( IC21/659) (0618-0758)
  • TI for the Lugano-Milano Rogoredo leg (EC307) (0832-1020)
  • TI for the Milano Rogoredo leg (Frecciarossa 9805) (1043-1727)

Was notified yesterday (we are already enroute via Maine (military reunion) by TrenItalia that the EC307 component was cancelled ... apparently due to continuing juggling of routes and load as they come to grips with the Gottard west tunnel closure. I think we'll be refunded (hopefully since we got executive class tickets from Milano to Bari - a big splurge). With EC307 gone, we can't get to Milano in time for the 1043 departure.

So, now regrouping to see best way to make this work. I had split between SBB and TI in order stay with in country approach, but also wanted to get a bit of additional transfer time between trains.

There is a 0818 train from Luzern with two transfers arriving Bari at 1827, but it is FULL.

There is a 0706 train from Luzern with THREE transfers, including one at Arth Goldau that has only 11 min transfer time - should this be a concern?

  • TI for the Luzern to Arth Goldau leg (S21325) (0706-0738) +11 min transfer
  • TI for the Arth Goldau to Lugano leg (IC861) (0749-0858) +34 min transfer
  • TI for the Lugano to Milano Centrale leg (EC13) (0932-1050) + 15 min transfer
  • TI for the Milano Centrale to Bari leg (Frecciarossa 8807) (1105-1827)

Does anyone see an issue with this routing?

Thank you!

Posted by
21218 posts

Looking at the schedule, you can still get the 6:18 to Lugano arriving at 8:48.
Then take the RE 80 to Milano Centrale, departing 9:02, arriving at 10:17
Then take the FR 8807 to Bari, departing at 11:05, arriving at 18:27

14 minutes in Lugano should be fine, from Platform 3 to Platform 1 using the underground passage.

Posted by
64 posts

Hi Sam,

Tried to book on SBB, but site said: "
Your journey could not be booked. The train is already fully booked or has been cancelled due to engineering work.
You have the following options:
We recommend selecting another connection.
For connections with changes: It may be possible to complete the purchase if you split the booking into the individual legs."

Posted by
21218 posts

Hmm. I just got to the payment page for the 6:18 train from Luzern to Milano Centrale with a change in Lugano on SBB. All I had to do was put in my credit card number and I would have a ticket. Cost was 80.10 CHF.

You already have tickets for the Luzern-Lugano leg. Now instead of taking EC307 as it was cancelled, take the RE 80 To Milano Centrale.

Posted by
64 posts

Thank you for helping, Sam!

I tried to do the 0902 RE from Lugano to Milano Centrale on TI, but doesn't work ... not sure why, just get red warning and when I try Lugano to Bari on TI it's also blocked.

When I try 0932 Lugano to Milano or further to Bari it seems to work fine ... but, if I try the 0902 RE Lugano to Milano Centrale it works fine.

So, which process would you use:
- TI site from Lugano (EC313) Bari at 0932 with FR 8807 at 1105 or
- SBB site from Lugano to Milano (RE80) at 0902, the TI for the FR 8807 at 1105

Posted by
21218 posts

Use the SBB site for the RE 80, as it is a Swiss train. In Italy, you can only buy it at a train station.

I suggest this, because while 15 minutes to change trains in Milano Centrale is certainly doable, it leaves little room for error. Milano Centrale is a big station and there is no telling how far apart the platforms will be from each other. Swiss trains are very prompt. The RE 80 originates in Lugano, so it should be waiting for you.

Posted by
64 posts

Hi Sam!

First, thank you so much for your assistance ... the clarity you provided was extremely helpful!

To the trip ...

Per the instructions from TrenItalia (sent by TrenItalia via email in Italian), I requested refund for the two legs (Lugano-Milano Rogoredo, and Milano Rogoredo-Bari. Thirty days to process, apparently.

I made reservations on the RE80 for Lugano to Milano Centrale, and for FR8807 from Milano Centrale to Bari. Your suggestion re the value of additional transfer time at Milano Centrale is especially appreciated - first time through major station is always a bit daunting!

I live working through these sorts of things - sometimes they are hard, but folks like you make it possible!

Grazie mille!

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