anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments
Posted 13 years ago
Hi,
I have been looking at a lot of websites trying to figure out the best way to get from Bern to Florence. Can anyone help me out?
At the moment I am looking at changing at Milan, paying the 26 Euro reservation fee, but was hoping to find something a bit cheaper as the interrail pass does not seem worth the money with extra fees such as this.
I'm very sorry if this is an annoying question but I am new at this, and not sure where to find the information I need, is there another website that can help me?
Thanks in advance,
Kerryn
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hi Kerryn,
where did you find the info about 26€ reservation fee on the route to Italy?! :o
If you choose the fastest way, you will have to pay 2x10€ reservation fee:
- 10€ for EC Bern - Milano
- 10€ for AV Milano - Firenze
However, if you have a little extra time, there are cheaper, albeit a little slower alternatives. For instance, I'd recommend to go like this: Bern - Luzern - Chiasso - Milano - Firenze
If you leave the EC in Chiasso (the CH - IT border station) you do not have to get a reservation since you only need it for international travel or travel within Italy on the CH - IT EC trains. From Chiasso you can continue to Milano with regional trains without reservation fee. In Milano you then can continue to Firenze, the fastest option would be one of the frequent AV trains which requires a 10€ reservation.
If you provide me with date and time you want to travel I can give you further details including exact timings. :)
Flo 8)
anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments
Hi Flo!
Thank you so much for the reply!!
I just did a search on the tickets tab from Bern to Florence and that was all that came up, but I may have misunderstood, this is all a bit overwhelming to begin with!
If I chose the faster option are we able to book on the day or would I need to reserve seats now? Where would I find the information for which trains I need to book and which ones I don't? Is it a case of searching each route in the tickets section? I will also look into the slower option, as we could spend a little more time getting there if it means saving money.
There are four of us travelling on Tuesday the 1st of November, the time is flexible though and are even open to night trains if there are any on this route.
I really appreciate your help!:)
Kerryn
nltrainer
Traveller
1416 comments
1. seats are open for booking untill all are sold-or the system thinks they are. Do you really need to be told that? IN Swiss you can just board-that means if really all seats are taken you have to stand or a bit threatening ask those dumbo's to take their luggage from a seat. It is only very, very rare that all seats will be taken on a normal not that busy midweek day. Trains are not planes. for MIL-Fir there are trains ev hur-Frecciarossa-and in the main peak times they will all be full-which means you may have to take the next one. Due to how the system works, if you wait till very late, it may show nothing to sit together with 4-which often seems the most frightening prospect for unexperienced newbies. after all you did not travel to possibly meet others, nah?
2.there are no effective nightrains on this route. You always have to change in Milano. The nightrains from MIlano all go further south and do not stop at all in FIR or at times like 2/3.00 at some godforsaken suburban halt.
3.that extra knowledge is the plus of the guys running this site: they know europe's railways, the routes and the alternatives that one can use to see more, to spend less on fees or whatever. Those computers cannot think and only show the str8forward routes.
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
No problem. ;)
- On which ticket tab (website?) did you look up that prices? Thanks.
- Like nltrainer maybe already said...it may be advisable to book some time in advance or it might be possible to do it on the day - this is very hard to predict (as we do not have access to the computers of the reservation system of the railways). ;)
However, I'd recommend to do this: Go to Milano without a reservation - you are flexible on which trains you choose and when you go. Then maybe spend some hours in Milano to see the most important sights; in the afternoon evening go to Firenze with the fast AV trains, for which you will need a reservation. I'd recommend to get these reservations already some days in advance, especially if you are travelling in the evening as a group of four.
Moreover 1st november is a holiday so I'd expect more traffic in the evening.
Route suggestions:
:arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/train/basel-to-florence[/u]
:arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/train/bern-to-florence[/u] ( :idea: if you decide to spend some time in Milano you do not have to change in Monza - instead stay on the train which goes to Milano Porta Garibaldi. From there have a walk through the town and head for Milano Centrale. From there continue with a fast AV train to Firenze).
Flo 8)
anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments
Sorry Flo, I gave you the wrong information, I actually went to the online store on railcc and then to reservations, and got this result: [ux]https://rail.shop/acprail/reservation[/ux] (I hope the link works)
Thank you so much for your suggestion, I hadn't considered stopping in Milan which is a fantastic idea. I will definitely go with this route. The route suggestions are really helpful, I'm not sure how I missed them, thanks!
Again, thanks for all your help and patience in answering my questions :)
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hej, no problem, that's why we run the forum . ;) Of course we are extra-happy if you've purchased your passes at our partner. ;)
Anyway, links to the shop do not work - maybe you could provide a screenshot? All I get are standard 14€ reservations for Bern - Milano direct EC trains (These are a little more expensive in the shop since we do not get a commission from the participating railways in this case. At a counter these are only 10€, but in some cases it might be more convenient or safe to get them online in advance. They will be sent by post free of extra charge).
OK, so if you decide to stop in Milano, maybe some extra tips:
If you want to, you can also go from Bern via Zürich and catch your train to Chiasso there. Travel time is almost the same (even 1 or 2 minutes shorter) but you might find a seat more easily than if you enter the train in Arth-Goldau. However, the route via Luzern is a little more scenic in my opinion.
In any case, get off at Chiasso and change there to the train bound for Milano Porta Garibaldi. From there it is about half an hour to get to the Duomo on foot.
To continue to Firenze it is about the same distance to the main station, Centrale. Like I said, it probably is best to get your reservations for Milano - Firenze in Switzerland already. With the AV (10€ reservation) it is only 1h45, compared to 3h41 with a regular IC (3€ recommended reservation) or ~5h with regional trains.
Flo 8)
anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments
I will definitely be buying my pass from the shop, and I will let my friends know about it also :)
Im not sure how to paste the screenshot here, but I go to this link: [ux]https://rail.shop/acprail/reservation[/ux]
And type From: Bern, To: Florence Santa Maria Novella
Also thanks for explaining why the prices are a little different.
I do want to see Zurich as well, we were considering a day trip but spending a night there and heading to Florence might save some time, although the scenic route may be a bit more tempting.
Will definitely go with the AV from Milan also, again you have been very helpful!!
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Great, thank you! :)
Now I also get the 26€ reservation - it is for the whole leg, which means for both trains (EC 14€ plus AV 12€) - you see it is 6€ more expensive than getting the reservations at a station but I've explained why already. ;)
If you want to add Zürich, I have to say that Luzern could be a more interesting alternative - but of course that is your decision...anyway, I'll try to explain your possibilities on how to get to Milano more thouroughly:
A) Bern - Spiez - Brig - Domodossola - Milano
The classic route from Bern via the Lötschberg and Simplon. Since the fast trains now run via the Lötschberg base tunnel and not via the pass route anymore it is not as scenic as the next option, moreover it is more difficult to travel here without paying a reservation.
B) Bern - Luzern - Arth Goldau - Chiasso - Milano or Zürich - Arth Goldau - Chiasso - Milano
This is the classic route to cross the Swiss Alps: The Gotthard route. First along Lake Zug, then Lake Luceren (Urnersee part) before you climb severe bends and loops to reach the Ticino with its mediterranean touch.
On this route you can avoid paying for a reservation by only going to Chiasso (the border station) and then continue with regional trains to Milano
C) Zürich - Chur - Pontresina - Tirano - Milano
This is a little special as it is my personal favourite. It requires a longer travel, but is completely free of reservations and will take you through most stunning scenery
:arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/train/st-moritz-to-tirano[/u]
Flo 8)
anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments
Wow, I can't even tell you how helpful this all is, thank you again!!
Well the more scenic the route, the better, as we are not in a hurry and would love to see as much as we can. Your description of option b) makes we want to leave right now!
I would love some more information about option c), it sounds great! Where would we need to change trains, or this this a direct route? We are very interested in going to Luzern also, should we set aside a day for this, or could we include it on our journey to Zurich?
Thanks :D
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Zürich - Milano via the Albula- and Berninaline :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/train/zurich-to-milan[/u]
On the Albulaline you'll pass the Landwasser Viaduct: [u]http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6046/6213534355_8dee01783d_b.jpg[/u]
This is on top of the Berninaline at almost 2253m: [u]http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6232/6213534751_fbc177d629_b.jpg[/u]
(Both trains run in the oppposite direction you'll be going)
If you want to and it is a nice day you could leave Zürich two hours earlier and then make a stop at Ospizio Bernina (where the second picture was taken) and then continue to Milano.
I am writing a little guide for travelling on the RhB network at the moment but please ask if you have more questions.
Route b) is spectacular as well, although it does not climb as high as c). For Luzern a few hours are sufficient if you are in a hurry, so you could leave Bern in the morning, go to Luzern and then continue to Zürich in the afternoon.
Flo 8)