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Best way to travel by train: Florence to Switzerland?

Posted by on

Hello,

Thank you for the helpful responses to a previous post re: itinerary in Switzerland. My Dad and I will be traveling in early May with a few days in Florence/Tuscany before Switzerland.

I’m trying to decide the best train route. Initially had my heart set on Bernina Express, but it seems difficult to travel Florence> Milan> Tirano> Chur and still on to a base in Lauterbrunnen or Lucern (or Bern for a night), and I’d prefer not to add a night in Chur.

Given how beautiful Switzerland will be, I’m now thinking of the most direct (vs scenic route) and considering alternatives like Florence> Milan> Zurich> Spiez> Lauterbrunnen - just playing around with several combinations on the train websites to see the shortest length/least changes. Am I missing a simpler way to travel from Florence> Milan to a Swiss base like Lauderbrunnen, Lucerne or Bern? Would a night near Como break things up on the route so 1 day is Florence>Milan to Como and next day is Como>Milan> Swiss base?

Thank you!

Posted by
2322 posts

You might consider stopping for one night in Stresa. It’s closer to Lauterbrunnen. You could be there from Florence in about 4-5.5 hours. It’s a beautiful town.

If you are spending most of your time in Switzerland in the Lauterbrunnen area, get the Berner Oberland pass. It will cover your Swiss train journey from Domodosolla (specific routes, look into this).

From Stresa you will get to Lauterbrunnen in less than 4 hours.

Posted by
20103 posts

It is only 2 hours from Florence to Milan. Right now, it is another 4 hours from Milan to Luzern, but that is because the Gotthard Base Tunnel is currently closed to passenger traffic. That will be cleared up by next May, so then it will be only 3 hours from Milan to Luzern. So if you are going to Luzern, I don't see any reason to "break things up" along the way.

Posted by
1664 posts

You do not need to play around with several websites. You do not need to figure out your own combinations. You do not need to second guess what the route is.

All you need to do is go to www.sbb.ch, enter "Firenze" as start and "Lauterbrunnen" as endpoint, and you will get times and prices. Currently data till about mid December is available.

You will then learn that you do not need to make detours via Luzern and/or Zurich. The quickest route is Florence - Milano - Spiez - Interlaken - Lauterbrunnen.

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