I will be traveling from Bern to Florence. SBB showed that we will reach Florence via Milan but my questions are because we are Americans is there any requirement to stop at one of the bordering towns such as Domodossola before entering Italy. Or can we book the route that was suggested to us?
Posted by
Chicago
7825 posts
there is no requirement it is like going to another state.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5379 posts
As you are travelling from one Schengen country to another, there is no border to cross or required immigration stop. As noted above, it is like crossing a state line in the US. So, no, you are definitely NOT required to stop at the border town.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
As the others say, both countries are in the Schengen Area, so no passport checks at the border.
As Switzerland is not in the EU, there are in theory customs checks, this merely involves customs officers walking through the train.
On northbound trains Swiss border guards sometimes check for illegal immigrants. This is all done while the train is travelling between stations.
"because we are Americans is there any requirement to stop at one of the bordering towns". Checking only non-Europeans would be illogical. The point of a check is to turn unwanted people away. The unwanted people would not voluntarily go to the checks, they try to act like locals. But there are clues the officials spot, like carrying all your worldly possessions, and having a worried look on your face.
Posted by
Southwest Florida
856 posts
In 2014, traveling from Florence to Lucerne our train stopped at the Swiss/Italian border (Chiasso?) and I recall disembarking and having to walk through security/customs. It was very strange as there must have been something going on as there were Swiss Army helicopters patrolling the area as well. I can't recall if we reboarded the same train or not.