Travellers from Switzerland longing for an Italian holiday will be able to benefit from new direct rail routes from the end of next year, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and Trenitalia have confirmed. Direct rail links will be established between Zurich, the cultural hub of Florence and the Tuscan port of Livorno.

SBB announces two new Switzerland - Italy rail routes

In a joint statement, SBB and Trenitalia confirmed that two brand new EuroCity train services between Switzerland and Italy will run from 2026. Both companies confirmed that both Florence and Livorno will benefit from a direct train to and from Zurich.

Though not confirmed by the companies, the route used by the public transport service through the newly-reopened Gotthard Base Tunnel means intervening stops at Zug, Lugano, Milan, Parma, Modena and Bologna would all be possible on the way to Florence. The route to Livorno will either pass through the same locations and Pisa, or via Genoa and La Spezia.

Discover Florence: The heart of Tuscany

The epicentre of the Italian Renaissance, Florence is awash with stunning art, architecture and history. From the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore to the Ponte and Palazzo Vecchio, there’s a reason why the nickname of the city is “La Bella” (the beautiful). Situated in the heart of Italy, the Tuscan capital also serves as an ideal base to explore the rolling hills and delicious cuisine of Italy.

The most important Tuscan port, Livorno is well worth a visit thanks to its fortress, New Venice district and cathedral. What's more, the Leaning Tower and medieval streets of Pisa are just next door, and the beautiful island of Corsica is only a ferry ride away.

Also as part of their cooperation agreement, an additional SBB-Trentalia service will run daily between Zurich and Milan and on the newly reopened Zurich to Venice line. Since they signed their first cooperation agreement in 2009, SBB and Trenitalia have transported 30 million passengers between the two countries.