Im trying to figure out how to get from Interlaken to Cinque Terre. We already bought a select pass for the traveling we will be doing and I would to take the easiest route. I think going through Genoa is the best way, but can anyone tell me which train station we need to go to in La Spezia? Also what is the charge for the ES trains with a select pass?
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
My quick check on the German Rail site shows that some of your legs from Interlaken to the CT will be on EC and IC trains.
Passholder reservation fees bought in Europe: EC, €3; IC, €3; ES, €10.
Posted by
Greenville, SC, USA
263 posts
This route reminds me of the worst train travel day I ever had. The day started well, leaving Murren in the early hours, riding the funicular down the cliff and catching the local train along the river from Lauterbrunnen to Interaken Ost. The trains to Speiz and Brig were no problem. Then we went on the winding route through the Alps into Italy, arrivig in Milano. A quick look around before getting back to the station - woohoo. Then we get to Bologna and head to the next platform. We wait for a while and then start to wonder why no train. A station employee comes to me and start talking in Italian (I had studied my French, but not my Italian). All I could gather was "brignole, brignole." Without understanding him, he was trying to tell me I had to get on a bus, because the tracks were closed (an ancient artifact had been discovered or something). We understood nothing, except that there was not train. Eventually we found the bus and took it to La Spezia. Then we waited and waited for a train to take us to Vernazza.
Whew! After the spectactular French and Swiss trains, the Italian system seems absolutely broken. Things didn't get much better over the next several days, but at least the trains ran. Finally we made it to Austria and modern train transit returned.
I will be back in Italy for 9 days in September, and I really hope things are better than they were in 2005. Maybe i've chosen better trains this time 'round.
Best of luck :)
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Sarah, this is a long journey as both locations are in rural areas. You will not be on many segments with high-speed trains - just the locals. Expect up to 4 train changes.
Depending on how far into the Berner Oberland (i.e. Lauterbrunnen, Muerren), this could be an 7-8-hour journey. First, you are looking at about 3.5hrs from Interlaken Ost to Milan Centrale. Add time if you are in the Lauterbrunnen valley.
From Milan, you're looking at almost 4.0hrs to get to the CT. It is highly likely that you will go through Genoa on this journey. Don't worry about a train change at La Spezia. La Spezia Centrale is south of the CT and you will be off the train in the CT before the that train gets there.