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Railbookers

Florence via the Alps

Geneva to Florence by rail through the Swiss Alps

Illustration of Florence via the Alps

Railbookers operates this 6-day, 5-night rail trip from Geneva to Florence. Two nights in Geneva open the trip, with a lakeside restaurant meal or boat trip on the first evening and a full free day to explore the Jet d'Eau and the city's parks and cafes at your own pace. On day 3 the tour boards a train through the Simplon Pass, running along Lake Leman and past Swiss vineyards with views of the Alps, before crossing into Italy with a change in Milan and arriving in Florence for a three-night stay. In Florence, an included skip-the-line tour of the Accademia Gallery brings you face to face with Michelangelo's David, and free time follows to explore the Duomo, the San Lorenzo Street Market and the neighbourhood of Santa Croce. The trip suits travellers who want a scenic Alpine rail journey and classic Florence sightseeing without a heavily guided schedule.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are chosen from a list of 12 accommodation options across Geneva and Florence, ranging from the Hotel Cornavin Geneva up to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, so the specific hotel depends on what is booked.
  • Day 2 in Geneva and the evening of day 5 in Florence are left free rather than guided, and day 6 has no listed activity beyond checkout.
  • The evidence does not list current departure dates for this itinerary; confirm timing with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Geneva

    Your Journey Begins in Geneva

    Your journey begins in Geneva, where you will check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Make the most of your time in Geneva - spend the evening enjoying a tasty meal at a local lakeside restaurant or take a relaxing boat trip out on the lake and admire the city's cosmopolitan feel and the stunning backdrop of the Alps and the Jura mountains.

  2. Day 2overnight: Geneva

    Geneva

    After breakfast this morning, enjoy a full day at your leisure to discover Geneva at your own pace. Wander along the lakefront and catch a glimpse of the Jet d'Eau, explore the city's international heritage, or relax in one of the many parks and cafés that dot this charming Swiss city.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Florence

    Geneva to Florence

    Enjoy breakfast in the hotel and then head to the station for your train through the famous Simplon Pass. This scenic journey runs along Lake Leman and passes scenic Swiss vineyards, with stunning views of the Alps in the background. The Simplon Pass boasts some of the most stunning views of the Alps in the entire region. Travel further south after crossing the border into Italy with a change in Milan, before arriving in Florence. On arrival, check in at your hotel and enjoy a three-night stay. Once settled in, why not head to the popular Uffizi Gallery and see the Renaissance works of great artists such as Botticelli, Raphael and Michelangelo.

  4. Day 4overnight: Florence

    Florence

    Spend a full day exploring this magnificent city starting with your included Accademia Gallery tour, the home of Michelangelo's sculpture David, then perhaps enjoying a famous gelato as you stroll through the city's lively piazzas, and marvel at the magnificent dome of the Duomo Basilica.

  5. Day 5overnight: Florence

    Florence

    After breakfast, why not head out and shop for quality Italian goods at the San Lorenzo Street Market, where you will find leather products, belts, jackets and bags on offer. In the evening, enjoy a fine meal and a glass of wine in Santa Croce, or in one of the other charming neighbourhoods the city is known for.

  6. Day 6rail

    Depart Florence

    After breakfast this morning, check out of your hotel and continue with your travels. If you wish to extend your journey, perhaps with an additional day in a different city, one of our Rail Vacation Specialists will be happy to assist you with the details.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1An evening in Geneva beside the lake, with the Alps and Jura mountains as a backdrop.
  • Day 3The train from Geneva to Florence runs through the Simplon Pass, along Lake Leman and past Swiss vineyards with views of the Alps, crossing into Italy via a change in Milan.
  • Day 4An included skip-the-line tour of the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's David.
  • Day 5A visit to the San Lorenzo Street Market for leather goods before an evening meal in Santa Croce.

Included

  • Rail travel as per the itinerary
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Geneva
  • 3 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Florence
  • Accademia skip the line tour

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included on this trip?
Yes. Rail travel is included as per the itinerary, on the day 3 train from Geneva to Florence through the Simplon Pass, with a change in Milan.
Which train is used?
The evidence lists Trenitalia as the train operator for this route.
Is the trip guided or independent?
Only the Accademia Gallery tour in Florence is a listed guided activity; the rest of the trip, including a full free day in Geneva, is unguided.
What hotels are used?
The trip draws from 12 accommodation options, including the Hotel Cornavin Geneva, Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix and InterContinental Geneva in Geneva, and the Anglo American Hotel Curio Collection by Hilton and Cellai Boutique Hotel in Florence.
How much walking is involved?
The trip includes one guided tour, the Accademia Gallery, with the rest of the sightseeing, Geneva's lakefront, Florence's piazzas and the San Lorenzo Street Market, done at your own pace.

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