My fiance and I will be in Switzerland and then Italy for our honeymoon at the end of September into mid-October. We know exactly where we want to stay, but are having a hard time figuring out how to get around on rail. Can anyone help? We are staying in Montrieux for 3 nights, then on to Wengen for 2 nights, then on to Siena-area for 5 nights and Florence for 3 nights. We would likely rent a car in Siena for day trips, but getting from Wengen to Siena by rail has us stumped.
Help?!

Best Regards!!

Hi ebeeson,

And well it should -- that's a bad connection. The Swiss Rail website shows that it'll take anywhere from 10h31 to 16h42 with so many changes that you can't take a nice night train.

Can you reverse your Switzerland itinerary? If you go to Wengen first then to Montreux, you can catch an overnight to Siena -- you'd leave Montreux at 23.40, arriving in Florence at 07.11 to change trains. Much better connection.

I know you haven't asked, but in my opinion, you're not spending enough time in your Swiss destinations (especially considering your excessive train travel between Switzerland & Florence). I don't think you'd really enjoy Switzerland with so little time there. So . . . again, realizing you haven't asked . . . I would suggest you decide on either Switzerland OR Italy and concentrate on one region.

Have fun!!

s

Thanks for your comments. We are looking into switching around the itinerary in Switz. Our initial plan was Italy only and then decided to get a taste of Switz, too. We specifically want to stay at the Montreux Palace (ever stayed there?) and we picked Wengen as another place so it would be easy to see the Jungfrau from there. I think picking just 2 places in 5 days isn't too hectic of a schedule.
Can't wait!!

Oops. One other question:
which train service were you referring to that has overnight from Montreux?

Hi ebeeson,

No, I've never stayed at the Palace -- quite a grand hotel! I usually stay at 4-star places.

For train schedules, go to www.rail.ch and input "Montreux" as your departure and "Siena" as your destination (obviously!), and use a departure time of about 20.00. Your schedule should pop up. Sorry, I don't recall the specifics of the train.

You can also look at discount airlines from Geneva to Florence -- check out www.whichbudget.com.

s

You're a peach! Thanks!

If you are flying into Zurich--suggest taking trains from the airport there to Wengen, then going to Montreux on the Golden Pass train, and as previously suggested the train from there to Florence. Siena isn't that far from Florence--but the train connections are slow--the bus can be faster. You should definitely rent a car to see the Tuscany hill towns, Pisa, Lucca, etc.--the driving is pleasant, scenic and easy, but parking can be a pain in high season.

Thanks, taxatty!
We think now that we will fly from Montreux to Florence and then either take the bus, as you suggested, to Siena and rent a car there, or what do you think of renting a car in Florence and driving to our next destination? We are actually staying at a place near Sinalunga (about 45 minutes from Siena) and doing day trips from there.

You could rent a car at the Florence airport and drive everywhere from there--that should work. You won't need the car to see the sights in Florence or Siena--you can walk everywhere.