New Direct Trains From Switzerland Will Connect To These 2 Stunning Cities In Italy
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Following Paris to Brussels for $10, Brussels to Venice overnight, in time for this year’s Carnival celebrations, and Amsterdam to Berlin for less than the price of a pint of beer and a schnitzel, Europe’s Train Renaissance saga continues with one of the most exciting launches just yet:
In the future, travelers will be able to journey from Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland and a popular destination for Americans in particular, all the way south to two of Italy’s most beautiful and historic cities––and vice-versa.
New Trains To Launch From Zurich To Two Cities In Tuscany!
As Swiss Info reveals, Swiss Federal Railways and Trenitalia, the two national railway companies for Switzerland and Italy, respectively, will team up to bridge the existing gap between the Alps and the sun-drenched Tuscany.
More specifically, you’ll be able to travel from Zurich to the cities of Florence and Livorno by avoiding the chaotic airports altogether––and reducing your carbon footprint if that’s something you’re passionate about.
As of right now, train options between the Swiss metropolis and central-western Italy are scarce.
Unless you’re flying from Zurich to Florence, which in that case could run you up $414 on a one-way ticket alone on Swiss, you’re looking at either long layovers in Rome to cut costs, with ITA Airways (starting from $87), or multiple changes traveling land-side.
How Hard Is It To Travel By Train From Zurich To Florence Right Now?
The easiest way to go from Zurich to the heart of Tuscany involves at least 3 changes: Zurich to Bern, Bern to Brig, Brig to Milan, Milan to Florence, and if traveling onward to Livorno, Florence to Livorno.
That’s over 12 hours of travel with multiple transportation providers, and when combined, the overall price of tickets averages $120.
Swiss Federal Railways and Trenitalia have not yet decided on an official launch date for the much-anticipated Switzerland-Tuscany service, but we know the launch is already set to take place in 2026, so we’ll still need to wait a little longer until then.
Either way, that’s great news already for train enthusiasts, who are eager to swap the cumbersome baggage rules between different airlines and strict airport regulations for stress-free boarding, no extra charge for heavy luggage, and scenic views along the way.
How About Flying From Switzerland To Tuscany?
If you’re flying from Zurich to Florence, the flight itself may take only over an hour from takeoff to landing, but let’s not forget to factor in the two hours required at the airport for check-in and finding your gate, and commuting from the airport to city center when arriving at your destination.
Realistically, you’re looking at a total of 5 to 6 hours of traveling and travel-related activities.
Meanwhile, the total uninterrupted driving distance between Zurich and Florence is 369 miles, translatable to around 6h30 on the road––considering a train can cover that distance at a higher speed, it’s not hard to see how going the railway way might be more appealing.
On top of the Zurich-Tuscany route, the Swiss Federal Railways have announced trains from the Swiss metropolis to Milan and Venice are also coming, and even a Rome route is on the cards.
Why Should These 3 Cities Be On Your Europe Itinerary?
Zurich
More than a global hotspot for finance, Zurich is a cultural center backed by the majestic Swiss Alps, and lying at the north end of a turquoise Lake Zurich, a seriously underrated summer destination if crowding at the Mediterranean gets a bit much this year.
It is best known for its Altstadt (Old Town), where pedestrian-friendly lanes travel uphill, lined with storied edifices and raclette restaurants, as well as for its waterfront promenades, most notably the Limmatquai, following the course of a swan-navigated Limmat River.
If you’re looking for a unique way to explore Zurich while getting your daily exercise in, taking an e-bike tour along its picture-perfect alleys and squares bordered by laid-back cafes and Lake Zurich itself is a must, from only $21.58.
Florence
The Renaissance capital of Europe, Florence straddles a fast-flowing Arno River, with its striking-red Brunelleschi Dome, the pinnacle of the marble-clad cathedral, rising high above an ocher-colored maze of medieval alleys.
The cathedral itself, or Duomo, its adjacent Baptistery and the sole-standing belfry, are easily three of Florence’s best-known landmarks, though other gems like Ponte Vecchio, a stone bridge that’s retained its medieval shops, and the 13th century House of Dante drawing in millions of visitors.
If you love art, Florence is definitely the place to be: its Galleria dell’Accademia hosts Michelangelo’s masterpiece ‘David’, and if you have some spare time to pay the Uffizi Gallery a visit, you will bear witness to Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus’.
Livorno
A little-known fact for most is that Tuscany is not an inland region of Italy: while its cypress-tree-strewn, winding roads and idyllic countryside are gorgeous, the Tuscan Coast may even rival Cinque Terre, Amalfi, and the like in beauty, and Livorno is living proof of it:
A stunning port city protected by harbor side forts and filled with stately piazze and Renaissance-era monuments; we’d argue this is one of Italy’s unsung cultural gems: and the best part? Very few foreign tourists around, unlike Florence!
Three of our must-sees include Venezia Nuovo, evocative of Venice with its pastel-colored houses and footbridge-spanned canals, the checkerboard-paved Terrazza Mascagni, a promenade offering views of the Mediterranean, and the imposing Fortezza Vechia, built in the 16th century.
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