cheapest way of getting to florence, eurail?

Question

what is the best way to get to florence, italy by way of california? I am planning to fly to Zurich and then take a train by way of eurail, does anyone have any better ideas? and about the eurail, are reservations hard to make? or can I do it that day?

Answer 1

I just checked on
raileurope.com
and a one way from Zurich to Florence, was $125 with a change in Milano. (about 3.5 hrs. ZU-MIL, then 2.5 hrs. MIL-FLO)

Here's another idea:
You can buy a 3 day Italian Railpass for $200 (2nd class)
then the train from Zurich to Chiasso (italian border) is $60 extra.
You can buy these tix in advance at raileurope,
but I also think you can just go buy a ticket the day of departure. You can buy the ticket and reserve it the day you arrive in Zurich too at the train station, then you have it in advance. Some tix you can buy in automats, too, but i'm not sure about international tix.

If you want to throw in another country, you could look at the Eurail 3-country saver passes, but if you're over 26 you have ot buy the 1st class., which is over $400 for 5 days
Have fun.

Finally, about the whole trip...
If you find acheaper flight to Amsterdam,
ryanair has flights from Eindhoven, Netherlands
to different cities in Italy, then just pick one close to Florence like Pisa or Bologna and fly VERY cheap, like for $30.
look on
ryanair.com
Search flights from Eindhoven to Italy
Thye also fly from London, so if you can save flying to london, you can get a ryanir flight to Italy.
London Stanstead and Luton airports are easily accessible by trains,
you can also check Easyjet and transavia and Germanwings
They all have their dot com website.
Have fun and
pack your cushiest shoes.

1 more idea'
Search Expedia or travelocity for flights straight to Italy if you don't want/need to stop in Zurich (I loved ZU, tho)
Check flights to other Italian airports, especially
Bologna, Pisa, Gevona, Milano, padova, Venice, Roma, Napoli.
Another option is Munich.
Trains from Munich to Florence range from $41 to $137 second class. It's an 8 hr. trip, like 8 am to 5 pm but probably very beautiful. You pass through Austria.

Answer 2

I like the travel info Tompink has given you.
One bit of warning, if you travel with different air companies, try to use the same airport, or at least the same town.
In his plan using Ryan Air he seemed to think it is easy to travel from Schiphol (Amsterdam Airport) to Eindhoven but it will take you at least 3 hours, by train and bus, and you will have to arrive an hour before your flight because you need to check-in again.
Ask your travel agent to get you a flight to Florance, as most mayor airlines offer cheap tickets for the last leg and will take care of your luggage for the change, you will only need to go to the transfer desk, or just to your next flight.

There might also be flights from Zurich to Florance, but if you want to see a little of the countryside, it is beautiful round there, the train is not a bad idea.