Could someone please give me some advice on the best most effective rail pass given my itinerary Day 1: Train from Zurich airport to Lucerne, train from Lucerne to Lauterbrunnen Day 2: Local trains / gondolas from Lauterbrunnen to Murren, up to Schlithorn, and possibly over to Wengen if we have enough time.. and back to LB. Day 3: Train from Lauterbrunnen to Spiez, evening train from Spiez to La Speiza, Italy Day 4: Trains from La Speiza to Cinque Terre towns, and back.. afternoon train from La Speiza to Florence Day 5: Night train from Florence to Rome Day 6: rome local trains if any Day 7: train from Rome to Naples Day 8: train from Naples to Naples airport Given this, please let me know the best pass.. AND yes, I know I am cramming a lot into this trip , but don't worry, I have more than enough energy to pull this off thanks,
Dan
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
If you click on the Railpasses tab at the top of this page it will give you the tools to figure this out yourself.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17435 posts
There is no Italy- Switzerland pass, and you are not in Switzerland long enough to justify any of the passes offered. You can look for a discount fare from Spiez to Milan on either SBB or Trenitalia, and from Milan to La Spezia on Trenitalia. Their is no benefit to a night train between Florence and Rome ( if there even is one), as the trip is under two hours. Again, buy a discounted ticket on Trenitalia for the best price ( as low as 19 euro for the fast train).
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33845 posts
Day 3: Train from Lauterbrunnen to Spiez, evening train from Spiez to La Speiza, Italy Dan, I'm a bit concerned for your third day. It is a very long journey from the Berner Oberland to the Cinque Terre. Both places are somewhat remote so connecting them can be somewhat circuitous. Connecting them will take all afternoon and evening. It can't be done in an evening. The last train that would work reasonably leaves Spiez at 2:36pm, 1436. Arrive at Brig and layover for 33 minutes. The train for Milano leaves at 1544, a EuroCity so reservations are mandatory. Arrival at Milano at 1735. Time for grab a takeaway dinner in the 30 minutes between trains. Depart Milano Centrale on an InterCity train, so mandatory reservations required, at 1805. If you are staying in the villages you can get off in Monterosso at 2102, or you stay on one more stop to LaSpezia at 2118. The last train leaving Lauterbrunnen, 6 minute connection in Interlaken Ost (pick up your feet) and 15 minutes at Spiez would be the 1333.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33845 posts
Day 8: train from Naples to Naples airport There is no train from Naples to Naples Airport although there are plans for a Metro station - one day.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33845 posts
Day 6: rome local trains if any The only local Rome train you might take is the train to Ostia Antica from Station Ostiense / Piramide. You would be unlikely to do that because you will be in Napoli and I might guess that you might visit Pompeii or Herculaneum while there instead of Ostia Antica. With only one day in Rome I would have thought you would have your hands full.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33845 posts
Day 5: Night train from Florence to Rome What Lola said. However, if you really want to do it, it is possible. Leave Firenze S.M.N. on a Regional train (no reservations offered or possible) at 00:38 to Pisa Centrale arriving at 01:59. Wait 26 minutes for the train from Torino to Salerno and depart at 02:25. It is an InterCityNight so it is subject to compulsory reservation, 2nd class only seated accommodation, but with Sleeping-car and Couchettes, for arrival in Roma Ostiense at 05:55. From there you can get a bus or tram; or walk the covered walkway to Piramide for the Metro. I'm not sure what time they start running, and a lot will depend on the day of the week. Dan, have you planned to avoid the days that various sights are closed in the various cities you are going to, for example Mondays in Rome and Tuesdays in Napoli? Various days in Firenze depending on what you want to see?