We are going to Zurich for 3 days prior to our Italy tour. We will be departing Zurich on Sunday, May 17 and checking into our hotel in Venice that same day. Any suggestions for the quickest, most direct way to get to Venice by train? Should reservations be made in advance? Is luggage allowed on the train?
Any input is appreciated.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
9272 posts
Zurich to Milan
Change in Milan
Milan to Venice
Total about 6 hours
Yes luggage goes on train with you
Book in advance as long as dates are certain
Trenitalia
https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
Station names
Zuerich HB
Milano Centrale
Venezia S Lucia
More info in your previous post
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/switzerland/zurich-then-to-venice
Posted by
37 posts
We flew into Zurich last year before heading to Venice but we stayed in Lake Lugano which is so much nicer than Zurich. The train from Zurich to Lake Lugan was easy and then Lake Lugano to Venice was a breeze. Train is easy to access from Zurich airport. We did spend our arrival night in Zurich - not our cup of tea. Enjoy your trip.
Posted by
OP
10 posts
We are planning on using Zurich as our “home base”, and do day excursions from there. We want to visit Interlaken, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen one day, and didn’t want to carry luggage on/off if we stayed in that area and had to change trains multiple times to get to Venice. Zurich seemed like the best option for a direct train.
We’re debating between an organized tour to that area or try to manage the train system on our own for a day trip. Any thoughts?
Posted by
Green Bay
23421 posts
You could stay in Luzern for those 3 nights and be an hour closer to Interlaken, plus have other day trip options. You would have to change trains in Arth-Goldau to catch the direct train to Venice.
Posted by
OP
10 posts
Thanks! I’ll do some research on that.
Posted by
OP
10 posts
If we want to visit Interlaken, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen and had to skip one town (just due to time constraints), which one would you suggest skipping? From what I’ve read, it seems like Grindelwald has the most to offer if we want to do something in addition to just walking around town.
Posted by
Green Bay
23421 posts
It takes about 40 minutes to get between Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen and trains are every 30 minutes. So research what you want to see and prioritize that town.