Florence to Milan

[williamn]

I'm doing this trip in January, and will be travelling to Florence on a high speed service, but on the return I've no time pressures and I wondered if there were any trains travelling on the older classic lines that are worth taking for the scenery? I'm aware the high speed line spends quite a long time in tunnels.

 

[30907]

As you say, the HS line is largely in tunnel south of Bologna.
For your return, the original main line goes via Pistoia and Poretta Terme to Bologna with 1 or 2 changes. I've not done it but it looks to be pretty scenic.
There is also the inter-war Direttissima, which has nearly as much in tunnel as its replacement.

An alternative if you prefer an InterCity ambiance would be the Cinque Terre coastal route via Pisa, La Spezia and Genoa.

 

[dutchflyer]

The longer part of this is Milano-Bologna, where the old or new lines are mostly side by side and its flat & uninteresting.
Blg-Fir. has the oldest and later old line-one can still travel via the very old line, with several changes and if having lots of time-it will not connect smoothly.
The ´newer-old´ line, used by the diretti etc. is also a large part in tunnel, though less as the newest HS-line.
So if having time and willing to do with the more complicated booking (no through ticket) I support above 30907 and go along the costa with change in Pisa-
Oh-its IT, so do not worry if times etc for jan ´25 are not listed yet-it wont sell out weeks before and you may even think of it as be lucky if one can get to see times etc online a few weeks ahead. It also wont be drastic different as compared to tomorrow. And JAN=short daylight, so if you cannot do it mid-day, then it will be dark anyway and hence hardly matter how you go as for sights!

 

[nwales58]

So if having time and willing to do with the more complicated booking (no through ticket) I support above 30907 and go along the costa with change in Pisa-

Trenitalia will sell you Firenze-Pisa-Milano as a single booking ... but it is separate tickets and you must 'check in' the RV to Pisa but not the IC because that ticket is tied to the train (I think, unless they have changed the rules again).

There are a few ICs Florence (SMN or Rifredi)-Prato-Bologna-Milano - set the filters to InterCity only.

Using regionals is one of those journeys where a Eur30 3 day Italy in Tour looks cheaper, but it is only valid as far as Piacenza nor between La Spezia and Sestri Levante unfortunately.

 

[williamn]

Great tips everyone, thanks. I’m tempted by the original Firenze Bologna line but will look into the coastal route too.

 

[Lxd2]

Lucca to Aulla is another scenic line in that area which might be worth considering.

 

[peteb]

If you're after some loco haulage Firenze SMN to Viareggio via Lucca and Viareggio to La Spezia Centrale will usually produce a 464 electric hauled double deck set. The route via Lucca is more scenic than the route via Pisa.

From La Spezia Centrale it's a nice 2 hour run up to Parma, climbing into the mountains, and very scenic. The diesel units are quite new and comfortable.

From Parma to Milano is frequent and easy and you could choose IC, High speed or Regionale trains.

Such a journey might need to be booked as three separate tickets but shouldn't exceed €80.

You no longer need to validate electronic trenitalia tickets, they self validate once the departure time has passed. They're a bit of a pain to change: (we changed ours at a staffed ticket office, took about 5 minutes for a journey very similar to this with 3 portions), so you might wish to build in some long connection times at intermediate stations?

 

[D6130]

For your return, the original main line goes via Pistoia and Poretta Terme to Bologna with 1 or 2 changes.

Pistoia-Poretta has some spectacular views in fine weather and a Wassen (CH)-style zig-zag to gain height on the mountainside above Pistoia. If travelling from Firenze to Milano, you would have to change at Pistoia and Poretta. Connections - at least at Poretta - are pretty good and usually cross-platform. Pistoia-Poretta is worked by Trenitalia class ETR324 or ETR425 "Jazz" EMUs and Poretta-Bologna by TPER Stadler "Flirt" EMUs.

Lucca to Aulla is another scenic line in that area which might be worth considering.

Fully agree....although the most scenic section - between Piazza al Serchio and Aulla - also has some long tunnels. However the views of the spectacularly-rugged marble Alpi Apuane Mountains in between them make it worthwhile. This line is a stronghold of the extremely loud Polish-built class ATR220 "Swing" DMUs. On arrival at Aulla you can either go South to La Spezia for the coastal route via Genova, or North through the mountains to Parma or Fidenza, for onward connections to Milano.

 

[Ant1966]

As you say, the HS line is largely in tunnel south of Bologna.
For your return, the original main line goes via Pistoia and Poretta Terme to Bologna with 1 or 2 changes. I've not done it but it looks to be pretty scenic.
There is also the inter-war Direttissima, which has nearly as much in tunnel as its replacement.

An alternative if you prefer an InterCity ambiance would be the Cinque Terre coastal route via Pisa, La Spezia and Genoa.

I did Florence to Bolgna via Poretta Terme back in Sep 2018. Stayed overnight in Poretta, interesting mountain town, there was some ort of festival on. Hotel was decent, (hotel Italia - £42). As D6130 says, very scenic, with the best bit (iirc) South of the summit tunnel.

 

[DelW]

Great tips everyone, thanks. I’m tempted by the original Firenze Bologna line but will look into the coastal route too.

We did Pisa - Genoa - Milan a few years ago, and while it was a pleasant trip, I was disappointed by how much of the coastal route is in tunnels. The coastal villages are very scenic but from the train you only get brief glimpses. The recent TV programme (in the "scenic journeys" series IIRC) featured lots of views from seaward and relatively few from the train.

 

[peteb]

We did Pisa - Genoa - Milan a few years ago, and while it was a pleasant trip, I was disappointed by how much of the coastal route is in tunnels. The coastal villages are very scenic but from the train you only get brief glimpses. The recent TV programme (in the "scenic journeys" series IIRC) featured lots of views from seaward and relatively few from the train.

Yes the stretch from La Spezia Centrale to Sestri Levante is mostly in tunnel. That's about 40 minutes on a slow train, though stations tend to be in the open and afford glimpses of the sea, rocks, harbours etc. Better to get a fast train however as the slow trains can get incredibly crowded even now in the "low" season, all it takes is a sunny day.....

 

[williamn]

Just planning this trip now. All the connections from Firenze to Bologna via Pistoia and Porretta look good. Two questions on connections.

- is 5 mins enough at Pistoia?
- is 13 mins enough at Bologna Centrale changing onto the Frecciarossa to Milan?

 

[D6130]

- is 5 mins enough at Pistoia?

Should be if running on time....but you'll have to go under the subway in normal circumstances.

- is 13 mins enough at Bologna Centrale changing onto the Frecciarossa to Milan?

Again it should be if you arrive on time....however, you'll have to walk from the West end bay platforms to the concourse and then down the escalators or lift to the sub-surface high speed platforms.

Departing from Pistoia, try and sit on the right hand side for a good view of the FFSI historic locomotive and rolling stock depot. From there to Poretta, the best views are predominently on the left hand side; thence on the right.

 

[williamn]

Thanks again for everyone's help. If you're interested I posted a trip report here.