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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Florence by First Class Rail

First Class rail from London to Florence via Swiss Alps and Lake Geneva

Illustration of Florence by First Class Rail

Florence by First Class Rail is a 7-day independent journey operated by Planet Rail that traces a scenic loop from London through Paris, the Swiss Alps, and the Italian Lakes to Florence, then back through Lake Geneva to London. You travel in first-class or premium cabins on daytime trains including the Eurostar, TGV, Gotthard route service, Frecciarossa, and EuroCity. The trip spends four nights based in Florence at the 4-star Hotel Rapallo, a base from which you explore the Uffizi Gallery, Duomo, and Ponte Vecchio at your own pace, or take optional day trips by train to Siena, Pisa, Lucca, or even Rome. You also enjoy one night in lakeside Zurich and one on Lake Geneva in Montreux after ascending the spectacular Simplon Pass. With no escort provided, this trip suits independent rail travellers and couples seeking a leisurely cultural immersion in Florence paired with premium rail journeys across the Alps.

What to know before you look closer

  • The price is per person for rail tickets and hotels only; optional extras such as Château de Chillon are payable locally on the day.
  • This is a self-guided tour with no escort; you make your own way between stations and manage independent day trips from Florence.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    By rail to Switzerland

    From London St Pancras travel by Eurostar to Paris in Standard Premier Class with light meal and drinks on board. A private taxi transfer takes you to the Gare de Lyon for the TGV through France into Switzerland, arriving in lakeside Zurich for an overnight stay at the Hotel Helmhaus (4 star).

  2. Day 2overnight: Florence

    Through Switzerland to Milan and onwards to Florence

    After a whistle-stop morning tour of Zurich, take the scenic Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps and the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest tunnel, across the Italian Lakes to Milan. There join the flagship Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) service to Florence. From Firenze Santa Maria Novella station stroll to the Hotel Rapallo (4 star), your hotel for the next four nights.

  3. Day 3overnight: Florence

    Florence

    A full day for Florence's world-renowned attractions: the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio and the celebrated Duomo, plus the culinary delights of the city.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Florence

    Florence

    Continue exploring Florence or venture into Tuscany: Siena with its shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and UNESCO-listed medieval centre, Pisa's leaning tower, or stunning Lucca, all easily accessible by train.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Florence

    Florence

    A final full day: the Chianti district, or even a day trip to Rome, barely more than an hour and a half away by train.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Montreux

    Florence through the Alps to Lake Geneva

    Board your First Class carriage on the Eurostar Italia service to Milan, then join the EuroCity service into the Alps for the spectacular journey up the Rhône Valley and through the Simplon Pass to Montreux on Lake Geneva. Overnight at the belle époque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior), located right next to the station.

  7. Day 7rail

    Free time in Montreux - Montreux to London - Homeward bound

    Time this morning for the medieval Château de Chillon (payable locally), then the Inter Regio to Lausanne, TGV to Paris, taxi transfer to the Gare du Nord and the Eurostar home to London St Pancras with a light meal and drinks in Standard Premier.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Travel through the Swiss Alps on the Gotthard route, passing through the world's longest tunnel, then board the Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) to Florence.
  • Day 3Spend a full day in Florence exploring the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, and the celebrated Duomo.
  • Day 6Travel in First Class on the Eurostar Italia to Milan, then ascend the Rhône Valley through the Simplon Pass to Montreux on Lake Geneva.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Planet Rail books first-class tickets on the Eurostar (London to Paris and return), TGV (France to Switzerland), Gotthard route (Zurich to Milan), Frecciarossa (Milan to Florence), Eurostar Italia (Florence to Milan in First Class), EuroCity (Milan to Montreux), and connecting services.
Is this trip escorted?
No. Planet Rail provides tailor-made bookings with no guide or escort. You travel independently and arrange your own activities in each city.
How many nights are in Florence?
Four nights, staying at the 4-star Hotel Rapallo, allowing a full day for the city's galleries and museums, plus optional day trips by train to Tuscany, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, or Rome.
What hotels are included?
Hotel Helmhaus (4 star) in Zurich for one night, Hotel Rapallo (4 star) in Florence for four nights, and Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) in Montreux for one night.
When does this tour operate?
Planet Rail does not publish fixed departure dates; you book dates that suit you as a tailor-made itinerary.
What is not included?
Meals, local transport beyond rail journeys, entrance fees to galleries and attractions, and optional activities such as Château de Chillon are not included, though museums and attractions are easily accessible on foot or by train from your hotels.

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