Murren to Ortisei via Kandersteg

Looking at www.sbb.ch, for a random July date (July 11) there is a bus at 10:18, arriving Domodossola at 12:00. To see it, type in Brig to Domodossola via Simplon Hospiz.

Since Italian regional trains and buses are not on the schedule yet for July, for June 6 it would look like this:
ar 12:00 Domodossola > dp 12:53 > ar 14:35 Milan > dp 15:15 (Frecciarossa 9737) > ar Verona Porta Nuova 16:28 > dp 17:02 > ar 18:31 Bolzano Bozen > dp 19:02 > ar 19:17 Waidbruck > dp 19:25 (bus 350)> ar Ortisei 19:55.

Thank you for your help, Sam. I managed to find the 10:18 bus on your instruction.

Do you think I can safely assume this whole itinerary of mine will be available in July? Or can times change quite often? And correct me if I'm wrong, but I would only need to make a reservation for the Milan > Verona and Verona to Bolzano journeys?

There is usually very little change, if any, when the new schedules come out. The delay is because of negotiations between the regional operators and the regional governments who provide subsidies out of the public transport budget. As you can imagine, these negotiations always go down to the wire.

The connection times are generous for this. 53 minutes in Domodossola, 40 minutes in Milan, 34 minutes in Verona, 34 minutes in Bolzano. There is also a later 350 bus at Waidbruck. So there is some slack if there are minor time changes.

Thank you, Scythian. Great idea re staying in Interlaken on the last night, but my booking confirmation states I can't change dates.

I really like your route suggestion. Would you say this route is more scenic than the Simplon Pass? Does it go over passes rather than in tunnels?

How do I search for this route on SBB?

I tried multiple search variations (via Brig and Andermatt) to get from Interlaken to Zernez, but I couldn't find your exact itinerary. The closest I got was an 11am start and that includes an extra change at Disentis/Mustér.

I am planning on getting the Bernese Oberland Pass or the Half Fare Card. I think the latter works out slightly better but then I'll have to pay for each trip, slowing me down...

You can do this, but you will have to forgo the Loetschberger through Kandersteg and take the faster standard route through the Loetschberg Base Tunnel.

At www.sbb.ch/en, put in Muerren to Mals/Malles via Disentis Muster. Depart Muerren at 7:06 and arrive Mals/Malles at 16:46. This route uses the Glacier Express train from Brig to Chur, and you will have to pay the supplemental seat reservation. It does use the Furka Tunnel for one pass (all trains do), but goes over the top at the Oberalp Pass. Tickets are showing as 150 CHF plus GEX seat reservation.

Then you have to go to www.sii.bz.it/en to get the Italian portion. Because this is Sued Tirol, they have summer schedules loaded on the system. Depart Malles Venosta at 17:20> ar Merano 18:43 dep 18:46 > ar Bolzano 19:26 dep 19:32 > ar Waidbruck 19:47 dep bus 350 19:59 > ar Ortisei 20:27.

Thanks, Sam. Appreciate it. I'll try out this itinerary based on your instruction.

Yes, it's a shame this route forgoes the Loetschberger through Kandersteg. Do you have a preference between the two routes for a same-day trip?

150 CHF plus GEX seat reservation sounds like quite a lot. Will this work out to be a lot more than the Simplon Pass route? I may have the Half Fare Card and/or the Saver Day Pass.

Sam, I managed to find your exact itinerary. Thank you very much. I really do appreciate it.

*Murren to Mals/Malles: 150 CHF
*Glacier Express: 81 CHF
*Malles Venosta to Ortisei: 19.50 Euro

1. Do you recommend using the Italian website you provided me over Trenitalia?
   
2. Besides the Glacier Express train, do I have to book any of the trains ahead of time?
3. I read that there is a regular train that takes the same route as the Glacier Express train? How come you didn't suggest this one? Is it slower or will the regular train not work with my itinerary? I read that the Glacier Express is extremely slow, but it must be scenic.

1. The Sued Tirol Mobil site shows all the buses and trains in the area with prices. In this district of Italy, which is largely German speaking, yes. They have a very integrated public transport network. In fact, if you decide on the other route over the Simplon Pass, use this site from Bolzano to Ortisei.

2/3. The Glacier Express reservation fee is 43 CHF. The 81 CHF is included in the 150 CHF price for the total journey from Muerren to Malles. The seat reservation fee is not covered by Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card. It is really a supplement to ride that train. I don't see any other trains that get you to Malles in time. You must be there to get the 17.20 train to Merano in order to make it to Ortisei that evening. The Glacier Express has panoramic windows and a nice bar/restaurant car and service at your seat.

Ah ok, that makes sense. Do I need to book the entire Swiss portion of the trip in advance since it includes the Glacier Express? Or do I just need to reserve the seat for Glacier Express? Either way, I'll be sure to use the Saver Day Pass and Half Fare Card.

Which route is your preference (Simplon Pass or this one) if you have to do it in a day?

I'm disappointed I won't be able to see Zermatt while in Switzerland, but you can't do everything. One consolation is that I'll be doing a cycle trip from Bellinzona to Chur, so at least I'll be seeing more than just the Jungfrau region.