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We are planning a trip to Italy for Sept. 2017 but would like to fly into Switzerland because my husband has never been there. He loves scenic views and we just want to "feel like we have been to Switzerland". Our plan is to fly in and stay 3 nights. Then travel by train to the Cinque Terre area and beyond. So here are my questions:

What city do you suggest flying in to keeping in mind that we will take train on from there to Italy?

I had heard Zurich had transportation straight from airport to Luzern. True? Would this be a good fit for our needs?

We would love to do some sort of scenic train trip and see as much mountain scenery as possible.

Any suggestions from experts and some of you that have done this before?

Thanks so much!

Posted by
20158 posts

Both Geneva and Zurich airports have train stations right there. Zurich is a lot closer to Luzern and does have direct trains.

To get to Italy, you will need to travel first to Milan. Now here is a new wrinkle. They just completed a very long tunnel virtually under the Alps on the route between Luzern and Milan. It is fast and efficient, but the views are of the inside of a tunnel. Using the www.sbb.ch/en site, you can specify a route that goes the old way with plenty of scenic views. Just enter a stopover in Goeschenen.

There is also a much longer route, requiring you to backtrack to Zurich, then travel via Chur to Tirano, Italy via the Bernina Pass. Very scenic. In Tirano, you cross the street to another train station and travel to Milan along the east shore of Lake Como.

Posted by
27166 posts

Check airfares. It's possible that there will be a substantial difference between costs into Zurich and Geneva, which would simplify your decision. From my origin, good fares to Zurich often pop up.

You can use the SBB website to view rail schedules and ticket prices. Be aware that the prices initially shown are for holders of the half-fare card, which I suspect would not pay off for you unless you plan to spend a tremendous amount of your limited time sitting on trains or go high up in the mountains. To see the normal price, choose a departure and change the pull-down box on the next screen to "No Reduction".

Check out Travelcards and Tickets on the SBB website to see whether there's anything that might help you. Swiss train fares are quite costly on a per-mile basis. Someone has to pay for the incredible engineering!

Posted by
451 posts

I would start by landing in Zurich and take a train to Luzern.

The next day, take a train to Murren, about 3 hours, spend two nights, part of the Golden Pass rail route.
then head to Milan 4:28 minutes for $47 to $93. See the Duomo and catch a train the next morning to CT 3:22 hours for $25 to $44. You could stop and see Lake Como and spend the night there and the next morning head to CT.

OR for more scenic train ride and MUCH MUCH LONGER after leaving Murren head to Montreux via Gstaad finishing up the Golden Pass rail route, this takes 5:27 hours for $99 to $126 per person.

Spend the night in Montreux, the next day take the train to CT 7:23 hours for $85 to $144.

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