Bern to Florence train

Trains from Bern to Florence

You’ve explored the Alpine beauty of Bern, Switzerland but now it’s time to experience the Renaissance grandeur of Florence, Italy. Trains from Bern to Florence make the 413-mile (665 km) journey every day of the week, generally including one transfer at Milan Centrale along the way. About a dozen trains to Florence from Bern are available each week, with travel times of only about 5h to 8h, depending on transfer times en route.

Bern to Florence Train Time: Daily Departures

Bern to Florence trains are available every day of the week, with two departures leaving Bern Monday through Friday and one departure each day on the weekends. The trains to Florence leave around 1:30 p.m., each connecting through Milan Centrale on the way southeast. The primary difference in these itineraries is the length of time spent at the station in Milan.

How long is the journey by train from Bern to Florence?

Your travel duration by train from Bern to Florence will ultimately depend on how long your particular train spends at the connecting station in Milan. For example, while one departure will leave Bern, Switzerland at about 01:30 p.m. and arrive in Florence, Italy about 5h later, another train may leave Bern at about the same time and arrive in Florence closer to 8h later. This distinction in important to keep in mind when booking your Bern to Florence train trip.

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Bern to Florence?

Departure train station: Bern Banhof is located in the Länggasse area of the city and is easily reached by city bus or taxi, including from the nearby airport. Bern Banhof has been described as a combination of a train station and a shopping center, with many shops and stores available for passengers, even on Sundays and public holidays when other stores in Bern are closed (this is because the station is considered federal property and is therefore not subject to Canton business operating laws). Luggage lockers are available for those rail travelers making a quick turnaround in their journey from Bern to Florence.

Arrival train station: Florence Santa Maria Novella is the sole arrival station for trains from Bern, Switzerland and is viewed as the primary railway station in the city, due to its large volume and central location. Conveniently, Florence Santa Maria Novella is positioned right in the city center, making connections to other areas of Florence quite easy by taxicab or local bus. Arriving passengers at Florence Santa Maria Novella may make use of the city’s primary tourism office located in the station, in addition to a number of shops and restaurants. If need be, there are also a pharmacy and a bank located in the station’s mezzanine.

Which train companies travel from Bern to Florence?

Bern to Florence trains are provided by Trenitalia, the inter-city subsidiary of the Italian State Railways Company. While on the Swiss side, EuroCity57 trains are generally used, becoming Intercity or Frecciarossa once on the Italian side of the border. These trains travel to Florence from Bern once or twice per day, each day of the week, making a single connection in the city of Milan about midway along the journey.

Trenitalia trains from Bern to Florence

Trenitalia trains, either with or without FrecciaRossa, make the journey to Florence from Bern each day of the week, generally departing around 01:30 p.m. and arriving between 5h and 8h later. These trips include a transfer in Milan and are offered on Trenitalia's intercity trains.

Train Bern to Florence: Services on Board

Travelers to Florence from Bern on Trenitalia trains enjoy a choice of First or Second Class seating. Both seating classes offer services such as bistro dining options, cloth armchairs, and what Trenitalia describes as "plenty" of storage room for personal luggage. The primary difference between these classes is the ticket fare options available regarding changes and refunds. When FrecciaRossa is available, travelers may choose from Standard, Premium, Business, or Executive classes, each with an increase in ticket price and each with slightly improving services. Various policies will also apply to each class as far as ticket fares are concerned. Passengers may bring along their baggage without restrictions on weight or size so long as their bags do not block the aisles. Additionally, passengers are welcome to bring along larger items, such as bicycles. Bicycles brought onto Trenitalia trains will simply need to be folded neatly or taken apart and stowed in the luggage area in their travel bags. Travelers from Bern to Florence by train may also bring their small pets, so long as the animals remain constrained to their traveling crates throughout the journey. Those passengers who require the use of a service animal such as a guide dog, etc., may bring their animals on board any Trenitalia train without restriction or added fee. Regardless of class or fare, those passengers who require additional assistance due to disability or reduced mobility may request help with boarding or deboarding the trains at the station. In Switzerland, this is provided by the "barrier-free" nature of the station’s design, while in Italy, such assistance is provided by the station management company.

How to find cheap train tickets from Bern to Florence?

Finding cheap tickets from Bern to Florence is much easier than one might expect. In fact, there are three main ways in which travelers can lock in low prices for their train trips. Firstly, all travelers should consider booking their tickets as early as possible. In this way they can avoid higher prices as the trains fill while also allowing more time for any changes which may arise. Secondly, it’s always a good idea to consider taking the slower trains to Florence. While the trains from Bern all stop through Milan on their way southeast to Florence, some take longer to get there. Often, these are the cheaper option. Lastly, it may surprise you how much ticket prices can vary from one day to another during the week. This may be due to how full the train is or perhaps to local holidays or festivals. Whatever the reason, it’s always good to compare these different travel times when booking your trip. Your wallet will be glad you did.