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Advice route planning- North Italy, South of France, Andorra & Barcelona then returning back to Lyon/Bern.

  • 26 October 2023
  • 2 replies
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  • Rail rookie
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Advice on route planning- suggestions and help please!

Hi would love some information on the best route to go from Bern through North Italy then down the South of France coast. Nice is a must and would love to go to Andorra but cannot find any information around public transport/Eurail to their. Would then consider going to Barcelona before heading back to Bern.

Would love some suggestions and advice around:

  • Are all trains included?
  • How to get to Andorra? 
  • Is 2 weeks too short to complete this? Planning on staying in Nice for several days and doing day trips- would these be covered with the pass?
  • Will I need to reserve for these trains?

Thanks

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Best answer by ralderton 26 October 2023, 15:41

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ralderton
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This rail map may come in handy

https://www.seat61.com/reference/interrail-and-eurail-map.pdf

The route from Bern is to take the Eurocity to Milan, then an Intercity and/ or regional train to somewhere on the Italian Riviera. From there, you trundle along the coast to Ventimiglia, where you can pick up a French TER train to Nice.

From Nice there are several options to reach Andorra, depending on where you'd like to stop in France. You can't get the train all the way to Andorra, but you get get nearby on a French train, and then take a taxi or bus the final part.

You can use the German railway website to search for trains. www.bahn.com 

You’ll need reservations on the Eurocity from Switzerland to Milan (€11), and on any Intercity (€3), or Freccia (€13) trains in Italy, and any Intercity (€10) or TGV (€10-20) trains in France.

This page on Seat61 explains how to get to Andorra. It’s written as a guide from London, but the last part will be the same for you. https://www.seat61.com/Andorra.htm

ralderton
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I would say 2 weeks is plenty for a leisurely trip. You could stop in Milan, Genoa, Nîmes, Perpignan. All sorts of options. 

It’s only 2 or 3 days of travel, really.

Yes, pretty much all the trains you will find on this route are covered - but pay attention to the reservation costs I mention above. They can mount up if you’re not careful. Luckily you have plenty of time, so you can take some slower regional trains here and there if you like.

Between Switzerland and Milan is the absolutely beautiful Bernina Express. It’s slower than the direct Eurocity, but it’s well worth the slight diversion.  https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/bernina-express.htm

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