My husband & I are traveling to Europe in September & I'm looking for the best way to get from Vernazza, CT to Lucerne, Switzerland. Should we take the train or fly? I know it's a long day either way- is the train scenic? How far is the train or best airport from Vernazza? Would we take either from Milan? Thanks, Louise
Posted by
Chicago
2124 posts
Yes, it would be a long day, but maybe worthwhile from a scenic standpoint. From nearby Levanto, it's 3+ hours to Milano Centrale, then another 3+ hours to Lucerne. You'd have to start early.
We took the train the opposite way--Lucerne to Milan--a couple of years ago, and even though it wasn't the famed Bernina Express--it was spectacular scenery and a very fun & comfortable ride. And Lucerne is gorgeous as well. So clean for a 900-year-old port city!
Posted by
OP
Richmond, Virginia
46 posts
Thanks so much! Do you know how far in advance we should buy tickets?
Posted by
OP
Richmond, Virginia
46 posts
I just looked at train tickets from Levanto to Milan and they vary. Some trains are 4+ hours and I saw one with a good fare that leaves Levanto at 11:00 am and is only 2 hours 48 minutes. Is it better to grab this fare for September now, or wait to see if a fare comes up earlier that is only a 2 hour/48 min?
Posted by
26 posts
If you know your dates, you can actually buy the EuroCity tickets from Milano Centrale to Luzern now with a reserved seat and save a bundle. As an example, I see €29 tickets for September 7 on the trenitalia website. These "mini" class fares sell out and then you're left with the more expensive fares. The trip from Vernazza to Milano Centrale will likely be on local trains that do not take reservations.
As Jay says, this trip consists of two three-hour trips with Milano Centrale as the layover. In previous trips, I used to just change trains in Milan, never staying. But last year, I decided to stay. I arrived in Milan at 10:30, dropped my bags at the hotel just 1.5 blocks away and then set out to see the historic parts of the city and have one last fine meal in Italy before heading to Luzern the next morning. I arrived in Luzern by 10:30, put my bags in a locker in the train station, walked across the street to the lake and caught a boat to the Mt Pilatus cog train station. It was a beautiful ride up to the summit. I took the gondolas down the other side directly into Luzern and took a bus #1 back to the station where I retrieved my bag and made my way to the hotel.