Tag Connect

Share The Article

Last Updated 43 seconds ago

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.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Share The Article

History is still being made in a pair of timeless U.K. cities. As you know, getting from A to B in Europe is a lot different than the States.

Rather than be shuffled through security like nameless cattle and scrolling TikTok for hours waiting for a flight to board, you gotta hand it to Europe for their impressive rail system end to end.

I just took a high-speed train from Paris to Marseille and it couldn’t have been more flawless, and while the latest exciting train announcement won’t zoom through the French countryside, it will connect 2 must-see destinations for your next U.K. adventures.

CrossCountry’s new direct service will benefit travelers looking to explore more of the U.K. beyond the bright lights of London with at least one familiar name and another up-and-coming capital city.

History in The Making: First Direct Route Connecting Cardiff & Edinburgh

CrossCountry is excited to announce their first-of-its-kind route connecting Cardiff and Edinburgh.

As the U.K. has spiked in popularity, travelers will soon have an easier way to reach Scotland’s Gothic icon of Edinburgh and Wales’ trendy capital with plentiful hidden gems in between.

Set to launch December 15th, just in time to make use of your holiday vacation days or start 2025 off right, you can seek new thrills in the U.K. from either Edinburgh or Cardiff as the train will travel both ways every weekday.

Expected to total roughly 6 hours in length, there are 20 stops in between along the 455-mile journey.

Choose to hop off to explore a treasure trove of lesser-known gems, such as Gloucester or Sheffield or enjoy the full journey on CrossCountry’s Voyager trains.

Keep in mind, the route does split at Birmingham and Gloucester, so keep an open ear for announcements to make sure you’re heading the right direction!

Otherwise, you may end up on the English seaside in Plymouth or Penzance wishing you packed swimwear.

Why Visit Cardiff?

Cardiff is an up-and-coming destination, backed by Conde Nast’s article crowning this lesser-known capital as the U.K.’s ‘Best City‘ in 2023.

As we turn the page to 2025, the hype has only grown stronger for Cardiff, and now travelers have a more convenient way to discover all the delights of this city.

Equal parts timeless and modern, there’s no shortage of places to immerse yourself in Cardiff’s past timeline or enjoy there here-and-now with trendy neighborhoods lined with buzzing bars.

Hit up the unmissable medieval Cardiff Castle for a grand tour (only $5!) or visit the revamped Cardiff Market oozing Victorian vibes, where local vendors sell local goodies like Welsch cakes.

While British food may get a bad wrap from time to time, cuisine here goes way beyond endless tea and bland crumpets.

Skipping anywhere in the U.K. without grabbing a pint is a hard pass. Here, one of your best bets is The Duke of Wellington, a real traditional pub dating back to the 1880’s and still whipping up savory pub grub and pouring the best cold ones.

And don’t skip out on classic Fish & Chips on Caroline Street (known as ‘Chip Alley’ for a reason!).

Why Visit Edinburgh?

Edinburgh has a lot going for it, especially for Americans. As the only U.K. destination exceeding pr-Covid tourism numbers, there’s no reason to think the city will backtrack any time sooner.

With the soon-to-launch train and current nonstop flights from the U.S., Edinburgh makes for a great alternative to London’s chaos as a shrunken-down urban jungle with great attractions.

Perusing Old Town is an absolute must and will have you feeling like you’ve stumbled into a storybook no matter the season.

Home to towering grandeur castles like the rightfully named Edinburgh Castle, among others in and around the city, Edinburgh certainly holds its own against any other European icon in terms of architecture and history.

The only problem you may have visiting here is questioning if you want to continue on to Cardiff!
There’s no doubt Edinburgh is an easier starting point since there’s direct flights here.

No matter where you depart, you can book your journey now on CrossCountry’s website.

But keep in mind the U.K. will begin requiring a permit for American travelers January 8, 2025.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.