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Murren, Switzerland to Siena, Italy - train guidance

Posted by (North Carolina ) on

UPDATE: Thank you so far for ALL the guidance. The problem with leaving at 6:28AM is that we have to take a cable car from Murren and bus I believe to Lauterbrunnen and that takes time and not sure if they would get there by 6:28am. If we decided to break the trip up from Murren to Siena since it seems like too long a day based on replies - where would a good place to overnight be? We would like to make it to Florence so we can spend a day and one night there if possible as it would shave 2 hours off the trip, so if that is reasonable suggestions on where to stay would also be helpful. I can check RS guidebook of course but if anyone has a fav place please do share if this makes sense. We current have 4 nights in Siena and 2 more south of Siena in Tuscany so extra time in the area but Florence was on our list to visit anyway.

We are trying to figure out the train routes and options to travel from Murren, Switzerland to Siena, Italy. We will be traveling on 9/15 which is a Monday. The options are limited to a longer train route - Mürren - Interlaken - Spiez - Brig - Domodossola - Milan - Florence - Siena which is 12-14 hours not arriving in Siena until 9:40PM . The late arrival makes me nervous especially with 5 transfers since we could miss a connection.
It looks like more options on the weekends for earlier arrival, but on Monday I do not see alternatives like fast trains?

We are wondering if anyone knows other options that may be more convenient. It also seems using a 4 day Erail pass may be the best option coastwise but again open to suggestions.

Posted by
7343 posts

Where are you staying in Siena? If the old town area, on the hill, the train station is down below at the edge of town. You'd have to take a taxi (or local bus??) to get up to the old town. Many take the bus from Florence to Siena as the Siena bus stop is on top of the hill near city center. As to the rest of your question, others will be better able to answer, but it sure seems like a very long day.

Posted by
22445 posts

A quick look at www.sbb.ch/en shows 9 hours and 9 minutes departing at 6:28 am and arriving at 3:37 pm with 6 changes.

Two fast trains on this route, EC train from Spiez to Milan and Freccia train from Mian to Florence. As was said, you may choose to go only as far as Florence by train, then bus to Siena.

Posted by
3311 posts

The problem is that there are only a handful of fast trains on Spiez - Milano per day. And there is a big gap in the middle, which means that you have the choice between leaving early, or arriving very late.

Note that if you get stranded because a delay makes you miss the last train of the day the railways must arrange a hotel stay for you, and let you continue your travel the next day. But I would not plan on arriving late somewhere anyway

I have done Wengen - Florence a few times. I would leave early, so as to be on the EC61 from Spiez. That gets you to Florence in the early afternoon.

Note that you will have several changes early in your trip, just to get to Spiez, but these are all easy, and reliable.

Posted by
987 posts

I love trains... but 6 hours is my limit. Zurich to Florence flight on Swiss airlines takes 1 hour. 430 CHF. How much is a day of your trip worth?

Posted by
10154 posts

Flying will also take a day. Murren to Zurich Airport takes 3 hours 16 minutes by train, then 2 hour check in, the flight and the transfer from Florence Airport to Siena.

The only useful flights are at 1255 and 1715.

So a very similar departure and arrival time to the train, and a lot less pleasanter journey.

Posted by
3311 posts

FLying is going to take longer and be more expensive, as well as complicated. If you go by train you can have the whole trip Mürren to Siena on one booking, so all connections are protected and the railways need to get you to Siena.

And if 6 hours in a vehicle is to much for you, how do you get to Europe?

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