Gimmelwald to Cinque Terra?

Hi Trent,

I did that trip, and I chose to take a night train in order to maximize the time in each place. Sadly, travelling from Gimmelwald to the CT is not easy, and it is not fast.

I took the train from Lauterbrunnen to Interlaken, another train to Spiez, a night train to Bologna, then to Parma, and finally to Riomaggiore.

It is a lot of travelling, and those trains within Italy were overcrowded and very hot. It was more than worth it, just be prepared for it if you travel in July or, especially, August.

Trent, you are traveling from a fairly remote place in Switzerland to a geographically remote place in Italy. It will take you close to 5.0hrs just to get from Gimmelwald to Milan. This will include 5 changes in public transportation (gondola, bus, train). Once in Milan, you still have a 3.0+ hour train ride with at least one train change to the CT. There really is no alternate routing to Milan. Once in Milan you have some choices but the routing via Genoa is best. Other routings will take longer. Your overall journey will take you just over 8.0hrs.

Thanks everyone. I appreciate your help. However, we ARE traveling in late July so now I guess I am not looking forward to over-crowded and hot trains!
Is Milan worth a half-day and then night stay? Maybe we could break up the trip that way.

Milan is definitely worth a half-day and then overnight stay (if you like one-night hotel stays). For your half-day, I would recommend the Duomo, the Last Supper and browsing along the Galleria near the Duomo (good places to eat as well). Everything is accessible via Metro. Make sure to get reservations/tickets ahead of your trip for The Last Supper.

Reservations for the Last Supper are required, not just recommended. And must be obtained well in advance, esp. for the summer months.

I spoke to a friend of mine who suggested I should try ride first class on the trains in Italy for comfort etc. Does that sound about right to you guys?

Nope. You do get a bit more leg and arm room in 1st class but that's it. We did one trip in 1st class and it was fine but not worth the extra cost. 2nd class is quite comfortable. Take one leg in 1st class for your curiosity and see for yourself.

Some of the trains do not even offer first class on them. On the route I listed above from Gimmelwald to Riomaggiore, the trains between Bologna and Parma, and then between Parma and Riomaggiore only had second class anyways.