AMSTERDAM TO MILAN DIRECT TRAIN ROUTE
Apr 3rd, 2011, 04:13 PM
#1
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AMSTERDAM TO MILAN DIRECT TRAIN ROUTE
We are looking for a direct/overnight train from Amsterdam to Milan. I saw number of postings referring to overnight trains but not able to find them when looking for details. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Apr 3rd, 2011, 11:02 PM
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According to www.bahn.de - not totally reliable about some secondary elements of international railway travel, like the cheapest fares, or every minor train operator, but close to infallible on major routes - there isn't one.
The closest you can get is the 2031 to Basle, changing at 0654/0703 to a train to Milan which gets in at 1150 (yup. That IS fifteen hours.)
You might be able to it a bit faster (but more expensively) by day, changing trains (and stations) at Paris. But this really is a journey the 21st century God intends people to do by plane. As a general rule, rail journeys from France/Benelux/Germany to Italy, anywhere in Spain other than Barcelona and anywhere in Britain other than London are close to impractical these days for anyone except hard-core train hobbyists.
The closest you can get is the 2031 to Basle, changing at 0654/0703 to a train to Milan which gets in at 1150 (yup. That IS fifteen hours.)
You might be able to it a bit faster (but more expensively) by day, changing trains (and stations) at Paris. But this really is a journey the 21st century God intends people to do by plane. As a general rule, rail journeys from France/Benelux/Germany to Italy, anywhere in Spain other than Barcelona and anywhere in Britain other than London are close to impractical these days for anyone except hard-core train hobbyists.
Apr 4th, 2011, 05:07 AM
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The Nederlands rail site http://onlineboeken.nshispeed.nl/ shows a CNL night train from Amsterdam to Zurich. Then use the German rail site to pick a connecting EC train to Milan.
Apr 4th, 2011, 05:16 AM
#4
Those CNl direct routes come and go. The non-change CNL between the two cities has been taken off and even when you DIDN't change enroute it still took 15 hours.
Your best bet is the CNL to Basel as mentioned above.
Your best bet is the CNL to Basel as mentioned above.
Apr 4th, 2011, 05:53 AM
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The Amsterdam to Milan direct CNL train was discontinued a year or two ago. Times are hard!
But no problem, go to www.bahn.de and book the Amsterdam to Basel City Night Line (CNL) sleeper train. Fares start at just 49 euros with a couchette, or 79 euros with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper. Some deluxe sleepers even have a private shower & toilet. And there's a shower along the corridor for all sleeper passengers.
You can see what the various couchettes and sleepers actually look like at www.seat61.com/citynightline.htm.
Then go to www.sbb.ch and buy a cheap ticket from Basel to Milan, from just 34 CHF (about $29). Allow at least an hour in Basel to have a coffee, just in case of any delay.
Enjoy a relaxed evening on the overnight sleeper train, and save a hotel bill, too.
It's then a very scenic route across the Alps into Italy, past Lake Lugano and the Gotthard Pass route.
Enjoy!
But no problem, go to www.bahn.de and book the Amsterdam to Basel City Night Line (CNL) sleeper train. Fares start at just 49 euros with a couchette, or 79 euros with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper. Some deluxe sleepers even have a private shower & toilet. And there's a shower along the corridor for all sleeper passengers.
You can see what the various couchettes and sleepers actually look like at www.seat61.com/citynightline.htm.
Then go to www.sbb.ch and buy a cheap ticket from Basel to Milan, from just 34 CHF (about $29). Allow at least an hour in Basel to have a coffee, just in case of any delay.
Enjoy a relaxed evening on the overnight sleeper train, and save a hotel bill, too.
It's then a very scenic route across the Alps into Italy, past Lake Lugano and the Gotthard Pass route.
Enjoy!
Apr 4th, 2011, 08:41 AM
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Take whatever train is cheaper - Amsterdam to Basel or Amsterdam to Zurich CNL night train then connect - don't matter which one really as times will be about the same. For lots on European night trains check out these fab IMO sites - www.seat61.com - Man in seat 61's commercial site; www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com.
CNL night trains are amongst the finest I have taken - with a wide range of sleeping options from reclining seats usually to room with WC and showers in them on some services. The cheaper rates on bahn.de may be for a multi-person compartment so if privacy is important book a double or single if traveling solo.
Trains to Milan from Basel or Zurich require a seat reservation at some point in Italy so make that in advance too. Many services now require a change at Brig, on the Italian border as Trenitalia, Italian railways have decided to slash many cross border trains.
CNL night trains are amongst the finest I have taken - with a wide range of sleeping options from reclining seats usually to room with WC and showers in them on some services. The cheaper rates on bahn.de may be for a multi-person compartment so if privacy is important book a double or single if traveling solo.
Trains to Milan from Basel or Zurich require a seat reservation at some point in Italy so make that in advance too. Many services now require a change at Brig, on the Italian border as Trenitalia, Italian railways have decided to slash many cross border trains.
Apr 4th, 2011, 09:23 AM
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Ditto PalenQ. Either Basel or Zurich will work. It is the same train. What you do depends on whether you want to get off in Basel at 06h54 or in Zurich at 08h20. For more about night trains see http://tinyurl.com/y57vft.
