I will be traveling with my husband and another couple from Cinque Terre to Lucerne this summer. As train tickets become available, we are trying to be sure we know our best routes. This is the only route stumping us. 1) Is it best to depart to Lucerne out of La Spezia or Genoa? 2) Since this is a long train ride, we were thinking about an overnight train. How are the overnight trains along this route? Any suggestions or advice you have is greatly appreciated! :)
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Kristen, It doesn't make a huge difference, but it would help to know which C.T. town you'll be departing from? Given your destination, you'll be heading towards Genova when you depart the C.T. Here's one example. I'd use a departure from Monterosso at 06:55, arriving Lucerne at 14:41 (time 7H:46M, 2 changes at Milano Centrale and Arth-Goldau, reservations compulsory on first two legs). There are later trains, but arriving in mid-afternoon is a good time for Hotel check-in. You'll have to confirm the rail times shortly before your trip. I wouldn't suggest using a night train, as many of those will take considerably longer and some have as many as five changes, some which take place in the "wee hours" of the morning. You would NOT have a good sleep! Happy travels!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33861 posts
Agree with the comments of Ken, but may I go a bit further? It is possible to, eventually, on trains that sort of run at night, but certainly not, by any stretch, night trains. Each run that I looked at involve 4 hours to 5 hours off trains in one station (or on the platform if the station waiting room is shut for the night) in, say Lugano or Bellinzona or Chiasso. The Chiasso choice only involves 3 hours on the platform but does also include more than an hour changing trains in Milano Centrale, at midnight. Its not how I would like to do it, but if you prefer to do it those choices are available.