Hi - we are tentatively planning to hike in the Bernese Oberland area of Switzerland, then work our way down to the South coast of France and then end up in Barcelona. After hiking in Switzerland, I'm trying to plan the car/train trip to Barcelona. We have 5-6 days to get from Lucerne/Bernese Oberland to Barcelona. Seems that renting a car is the fastest way to do this and would allow for stops in Lugano, Villa de Pergola, Grasse, and the coast. Any advice on reducing the one way drop fee for the car? And also suggestions for stops or a different route or more train travel? Thank you!
Current itinerary:
Day 1: Transport from Grindelwald to Lucerne. Pick up car in Lucerne. Drive to Lugano and stay the night.
Day 2: Lugano to Villa della Pergola area. Stay overnight.
Day 3: Villa della Pergola to Grasse. Stay overnight
Day 4-5: Grasse to Barcelona. Stay somewhere overnight? Possible to drop the car in Marseille and take train to Barcelona?
Posted by
5926 posts
What is to be included in the 6 days? Not the Switzerland portion, right? If you lay out your itinerary day by day you will find it easier to get feedback and visualize the journey. I cannot think of any way to reduce the fee except to rework the plan where you do not cross a border. I would plan on using train until you get into France, and only use the rental car there, drop before switching to train or bus to BCN.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thank you - as suggested I added the itinerary.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
2173 posts
I know of no way to avoid the large drop fee. Utilize the train for crossing borders. Bon Voyage!
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
35256 posts
are you aware of the sometimes very long delays using the Gotthard road tunnel? Unless you go up and over from Luzern to Lugano you will be in the 5th longest in the world, over 10 miles long Gotthard road tunnel. Be aware that it only has two lanes, one going northbound and one going southbound, and they are next to each other.
When it goes smoothly it can be a very boring yet needing alertness from the driver experience; when it goes badly it can add hours to your journey. Trucks are limited to how many can be in the tunnel at one time and everybody must drive a certain distance apart designated by markings on the road. You should understand the meaning and use of the green areas. Speed is restricted and very strictly policed by a big network of cameras.
There is a services just south of the tunnel and at Bellinzona on both sides.
It is fast and easy to get to Lugano by train..
There is a train station in Alassio.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thanks Nigel - I wasn't aware of that tunnel. Maybe a better idea is to go by train from Lucerne to Alassio to skip the tunnel.
Posted by
Green Bay
22283 posts
Lugano to Alassio is straight forward with a single change in Milan.
Alassio to Grasse is also an easy single change at Ventimiglia.
Grasse to Barcelona is a bit of a slog though. All day with several chages.
For a scenic route from Luzern to Lugano, take the Treno Gottardo to Bellinzona and change there to Lugano.
Posted by
Paris
7523 posts
I'd do Grindelwald - Nice by train, and hire a car in Nice to return in Nimes.
Grasse is so-so IMO, unless perfume is your passion. I would prefer Antibes.
Nîmes would be a great additional overnight stop.
Posted by
Wengen
3171 posts
There is a direct train from Marseilles to Barcelona that takes 4 hours, but it leaves early in the morning. So you could indeed drop your car there, and stay overnight.