Private car transfer
from Zermatt to Florence

For instance, you can stop at the historic border town of Domodossola to explore the medieval town center and the incredible 14th-century museum of Etruscan and Roman history. While here, visit the 12 chapels of the Sacro Monte del Calvario, each depicting a different stage of the Passion of Christ.

Or, visit Stresa, the “Pearl of Lake Maggiore” and enjoy a day strolling along the lakefront promenade or exploring all that the local markets have to offer. You can even take the cable car up to Mount Mottarone and get stunning panoramic views of the area.

These offer the perfect chance to explore more of Switzerland and Italy and enrich your trip before your driver drops you off at your final destination in Florence.

Florence is known as "The Birthplace of the Renaissance", and boasts an impressive collection of Renaissance architecture and artworks, including masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s “David” (displayed in the Galleria dell’Accademia). Perhaps the most iconic sight of the city is the massive red terracotta dome of the Duomo Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

Florence is a large-scale testament to the Renaissance and your time here will expose you to some of the greatest Italian works in history. In addition to the many museums, open-air galleries, and incredible architectural features, you can look forward to Florence’s world-renowned shopping scene. The city is known for its fashion and has also held a historical foothold as one of the premier producers of leather and silk goods in the world.

Best of all, the historic city center is fairly compact and walkable, meaning you can spend the days easily immersing yourself in the masterful works of art while stopping to enjoy the classic Italian gastronomy and artisan craft markets. Consider a trip to the upper level of the Mercato Centrale, located in San Lorenzo, to peruse local meats, cheeses, groceries, and a unique upscale food hall.

Choose private transportation

While there are public transit options for this trip, using the Daytrip private car service gives you the most convenient trip possible. You are granted flexible booking, seamless door-to-door service, and a friendly English-speaking driver dedicated to your safety and comfort en route. You will also receive help with your luggage on either end and be given a bit of local insight from your driver along the way.

Maximize your travel day

Since the journey from Zermatt to Florence is fairly long at just over 6 hours, it is the perfect trip to add sightseeing stops to. As you will be spending most of the day on the road anyway, stopping at popular sights such as Stresa or Domodossola will let you see places you’d otherwise overlook (and is a great way to stretch your legs or take a memorable lunch break)!

Train from Zermatt to Florence

A few different train routes from Switzerland will get you to Florence in around 6.5 hours. The most popular route requires two transfers to new trains: first in Brig, then at Milan Centrale station. The tickets for this route can range from $105-255. Other train routes go via Firenze Santa Maria Novella and cost around the same, though the journey time is closer to 7 hours.

Bus from Zermatt to Florence

The bus route from Zermatt to Florence is quite long and will take several transfers for a journey time of about 12 hours. You will need to change to a new bus in St. Jacques and again in Milan before boarding the final bus into Florence. Tickets tend to be comparable to the cheapest train tickets, and average around $78-132.

Flight from Zermatt to Florence

There are no simple, direct flights from Zermatt to Florence. It is possible to take a series of trains as above to either Zurich or Milan in order to catch a flight to Florence, but this does not save you any time. At best it takes 7.5 hours (though, typically it is closer to 9 hours). The total journey is not the cheapest, and it can cost as much as $505, depending on flight availability.

Private car transfer from Zermatt to Florence

The best way to get from Zermatt to Florence is with a convenient private car transfer, which will take just over 6 hours and starts at $200 per seat. This is the fastest and easiest way to travel. Not only is it the only direct option, but the most flexible, with the opportunity to stop for sightseeing or to travel to Florence directly.

Explore the Duomo

This cathedral, officially called Santa Maria de Fiore, dominates the Florence skyline with its iconic red terracotta dome and bell tower. It also happens to be the third largest church in the entire world, and its gothic facade and elaborate interior design are well worth admiring. The complex includes two other buildings, the Baptistery and Giotto’s Campanile, all part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stroll the Uffizi Galleries

The remarkable Uffizi Galleries are home to some of the most famous paintings in the world, including Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus”. The open-air structures were originally an administrative palace for the Medici family before they were transformed into an art museum in the 16th century. You do need to book tickets in advance, and during the peak summer travel months, it may be worth springing for a priority entry ticket to ensure you don’t miss out on seeing the key works due to crowds.

Visit the Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio is a colorful relic of the medieval era, a closed-spandrel segmental-arched bridge crossing the Arno. The name translates to “The Old Bridge”, pretty spot on considering it is the only bridge in Florence that survived the city’s widespread destruction during the Second World War. The bridge is only open to pedestrians and it serves as a functional connection between popular sites such as the Duomo on one side of the river, and the Palazzo Pitti (an impressive Renaissance palace) on the other.

Sample classic Florentine dishes

Florence has a unique gastronomic culture and plenty of restaurants to choose from. While you’re here, try dishes such as ribollita (a bread and vegetable soup) or the famous Florentine Steak, roasted minimally to create a “Caravaggesque” contrast of white marbling in the deep red flesh.