We will be hiking for 10 days in Switzerland and, at the end of this time, want to travel by train to Monterosso (Cinque Terre) where we will be staying for 5 days.
Does anyone have suggestions for the best train route to take? I know it will be a long day of travel but I hope we will leave early in the morning and survive all the train changes!
Thank you.
Posted by
11156 posts
Five days is a long time for the tiny Cinque Terre. Consider spending a few days just north of there in Camogli or Santa Margherita Ligure or south in Portovenere..
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
You'll probably prefer a departure with fewer connections, even if it's not the fastest in total travel time.
Looking Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the Deutsche Bahn train schedule link and tips for using it between any two towns.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32202 posts
marion,
I've travelled that route several times. Your best bet is a departure from Mürren BLM at 07:06, arriving Monterosso at 15:05 (time 7H:59M, 6 changes). That's about the shortest time, and while the number of changes may sound onerous, it's not really that bad. The first three changes will get you out of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, and they're all short trips. Once you arrive at Milano Centrale, the trip to Monterosso is fast and direct (no changes).
You can check all the solutions on the [Bahn.de]1 website.
IMO, if you're planning to use Monterosso as a home base to tour that area, then five days is just about right. You can easily take day trips to Porto Venere, Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, Levanto, etc.