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Best of Switzerland and Family wedding in Tuscany

Posted by (Cherry Hill, NJ) on

I am in need of some logistical insight. We are currently booked for RS BOS departing June 22, 2025. Now, I learn that we have a family wedding in Tuscany May 31 st. (wedding events will take place May 30-Jun 1)

If I keep things as is, we will be traveling to and from Europe twice in 3 weeks. That's tough on the body and wallet.

I see another RS BOS ending May 29th with seats available. If I switch to that tour, I then have to figure out how to get from Bern to Florence. (I can worry about transportation from Florence airport or train station later. Venue is south of Florence. Hosts may even be providing transportation)

Apparently it's difficult to get most places from Bern. I know we can train to ZRH with a stop in Zurich. I am a little leary on changing trains though. I see an affordable flight on ITA Airways from ZRH to FLR via Rome. Not the best, but times and price is do-able. (Swiss air has direct flights that are at night or outrageously expensive).

Another problem: I don't want to lug formal clothing on the RS BOS tour. I was thinking of storing another suitcase with wedding attire in a locker at Zurich airport since that's where we will fly into to begin the tour in Lucerne. This scares me a little. esp if it gets lost.
I would love any insight on my plan. Esp on how to change trains in Zurich.

Thanks,
Cindy

Posted by
478 posts

A couple of ideas as to your formal clothes. Others on this forum have explained they had something extra like that and they just brought a separate bag and the tour stored it in the hold of the bus for the entire time. Or consider to have another guest bring your wedding gear. You could offer to pay them with Swiss chocolate.

Posted by
2607 posts

Bern to Zurich airport is NOT difficult. There are trains every day that go direct without a change.

Posted by
20799 posts

Just so you know, you can get from Bern to Florence in 5 1/2 hours by train with a single connection at Milano Centrale, at least per the current schedule. Considering 1 1/2 hour travel time from Zurich airport, 1 1/2 hour minimum check in for the flight, 1 hour in the air, and 1/2 hour from arrival to getting your luggage and ready to go at the airport, it close to a wash with a whole lot less hassle.

Posted by
679 posts

When I took this tour I was able to ride the train from Bern to Zurich airport without transferring. The current schedule reflects that direct and non direct train options are available. Simply choose the direct option. Navigating the train stations both in Bern and at the airport were a breeze. For your additional suitcase the deep storage in the luggage hold of the bus is a great option if offered. Most often it simply means that your suitcase or other items are placed in an area which is not unloaded until the last day that you with the bus. Generally, you will not have access to it throughout the tour.

Posted by
152 posts

Sam and Raymonelee...

I like both of your suggestions. Could you please elaborate on which site would be best to book or research.

I have only ever used train travel in Italy and I used Trenitalia.
Thanks so much

Posted by
679 posts

I used www.sbb.ch which is the official train site for Switzerland. Toggle the language switch for English. When searching for the airport it will be Zurich Flughafen. Note the direct versus connecting trains.

Posted by
17168 posts

Note that if you look at train schedules now, in planning for next May, they will not all be relevant. There some tracks that are closed for construction, so the routes or timing may be different. For example, there is usually a direct (no-change) train from Zurich airport to Luzern, but not currently. You have to change trains at the main station. For Bern back to the airport, there should be a direct train, now as well as next May.

For leaving bags at the airport during the tour, you will need to use Left Luggage storage. Lockers have a 96-hour maximum.

You can read about luggage storage at the airport here:

https://www.flughafen-zuerich.ch/en/passengers/practical/services/services-for-travellers/baggageservices

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