Train from Frutigen to Cinque Terre

Posted by Beth (Tacoma, WA) on 04/08/19 08:40 PM

Howdy,
I am self-planning a trip to Switzerland and Italy with myself, my co-leader and 6 14 year old Girl Scouts. We are flying into Milan, spending 2 nights, training to OurChalet in Adelboden, Switzerland, spending 4 nights and then we take a loooonnnnnggg train day getting from Frutigen (closet train station) to RioMaggiore.
I know booking as we go is probably better, but GSWW (and my own travel anxieties) requires we have everything nailed down before we go. SO, I have already booked Milan-Frutigen round trip. On the way back, we arrive at Milano Centrale at 11:37 and there is a 12:10pm train to Monterosso. Is 33 minutes going to be a big enough buffer to find our train and get ourselves on it?

Thanks! (I'm also willing to hear all your train tips with teens advice.)

Posted by Frank

Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

04/08/19 08:46 PM

23652 posts

Should be. Many changes are in the range of 10 to 15 minutes. You get off, walk to the head of the platform, check overhead board for you next train -- know the train number -- and proceed to the next platform.

Posted by Lola

Seattle, WA

04/08/19 09:06 PM

17577 posts

That should be plenty of time. Milano Centrale is a large station, but the track layout makes it very easy to transfer between trains. As it is an "end station" the trains all pull in to a dead-end stop, all in a row. Map:

https://www.milanocentrale.it/en/map/

When you get off the train from Switzerland, walk toward the front of the trains and consult the board for the 12:10 Intercity train to Monterosso, noting the track number (Binario).. You should know the number of your train; it will be on the ticket. Simply walk through the wide concourse between the shops and the trains to the correct platform and track. Your train may or may not be waiting there.

Here is more information on the station:

https://www.seat61.com/stations/milan-centrale.htm

Posted by Dario

Italy

04/08/19 09:38 PM

3812 posts

EC37 from Geneve usually arrives at track 4 while the IC665 departs to LaSpezia from track 21. These are the intended tracks, just like airport gates they can change.

Here is a map of the tracks area: https://www.milanocentrale.it/en/map/

In case the girls noticed the signs and asked: between 1943 and 1944 the trains to "Destination: Unknown" (i.e. Auschwitz) left from the underground track 21, just under your feet.

Posted by Beth OP

Tacoma, WA

04/09/19 02:10 PM

17 posts

Thank you so much! This puts me much more at ease. It's terrifically helpful to get such good, specific instructions! And Dario, we WILL DEFINITELY look for the signs re: Auschwitz. Thank you for the heads-up. It's going to be a spectacular trip and I know the three nights in CT relaxing will probably be a highlight, even if every trail is closed. ;)