I have been trying to plan a trip but no luck so far. I've tried the MySwitzerland people & the RailEurope agents. On the former they tell me to "take a set rail tour" & the latter may help but I pay for the service & give up web discounts, plus last guy I talked to wasn't "in a helpful mood" to listen.
I "sort of know the stops" but it's hard to tell online what connects with what, when you try to plug in each stop. I've been told to do each part of the trip as a one way online then combine those parts but that's difficult as you have to have practical continuity in the train ride. One e.g. is Zermatt which appears on rail maps as "out there alone".
My general plan: turn in rental car @ Chamonix,FR & ride west on Glacier Express scenic train,also to include the short Italian alps rail trips(said to be very scenic) that are south of that run then link back to Bernina Express train ride near St Moritz, then north & link to Golden Pass train back westward and ride as much of it combined with the Willam Tell route as possible in a continuous trip with various stops. Looking at google map images ,Swiss rail maps,etc., it looks doable but I haven't found the way to plan the trip with any timing and what goes where information.
I can change the car drop off but don't know what works better than Chamonix which is on the rental car website list. Also trying to decide which direction works better for this trip-CW or CCW?
Suggestions?- I'm willing to pay for some planning but would rather self plan as I usually do.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
If you're buying train tickets or seat reservations, then you would search and reserve each leg separately. With a Swiss Pass, there are a lot of trains you can jump on, but the Glacier Express does require a seat reservation before boarding, as do some other panorama cars.
Train schedule web sites such as SBB.ch or the recommended DB site will always try to show you the fastest routes, which are not usually the scenic trains. To be sure of the route/detour you want, you can enter a mid-point/stopover that's unique to that route, such as via Zweisimmen for the Golden Pass route. To connect from the Glacier Express to the William Tell, request a route via Andermatt. See the Swiss Pass map for more train route detail.
I assume you're picking up the car in France and therefore want to leave it in France to avoid extra fees. Chamonix is a fine place to do that. The train to Switzerland requires a couple of connections, as will all of your train rides, so pack light. The French side of Geneva airport would be another option, but I don't see any benefit to it, especially if you want to visit Chamonix.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16190 posts
Google "Swiss synoptic map" and you will get a detailed map of the Swiss rail system. Very useful for planning a journey such as you propose.
Posted by
Green Bay
20028 posts
Where do you want to end up? I can see a route that looks more like a figure eight. Chamonix>Martigny>Brig>St Moritz>Tirano>Milan>Luzern>Montreux. That would cover the Mont Blanc Express, the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express, the William Tell Express, and the Golden Pass. That much travel would probably warrant a Swiss Pass. You'd still need extras for reservation fees on the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express, train from Tirano to Milan (cheap), and the Italian portion of the Milan to Luzern end. Luzern to Montreux go by way of Meiringen and Interlaken for more scenery.
Posted by
OP
KY
9 posts
I feel OK to set up the trip around the Mont Blanc Express from Chamonix, then toward Zermatt & east on Glacier Exp toward Tirano & back up on Bernina Exp and back across on GOlden Pass.toward Geneva. The parts I don't get are the connections for the small Italian routes below the Glacier train? My Switzerland site comments on a bus connection for the Lugano trip as part of the Bernina???
Posted by
OP
KY
9 posts
Another question is choosing the route after Geneva toward Paris? It seems to be go to Strasborg for an overnight-then Paris or up through Germany then across to Paris or to Paris straight from Geneva. That part of our trip after leaving Geneva will incorporate one nights stop before Paris arrival. Which route is most scenic, incorporates most interesting city/town stop,etc.? Thanks!
Posted by
Green Bay
20028 posts
The way from St Moritz to Lugano is straight forward. Bernina Express dep St Moritz at 11:22, arr Tirano at 13:26, then take a Swiss Post Bus dep 14:20, arr Lugano at 17:30. The bus is covered by a Swiss Pass.
An alternate way is to take an earlier Bernina Express at 9:29, arr Tirano at 12:02. connect there to a Trenord Train at 13:10 to Milan, arr 15:40 costing 11.05 euro. There connect to an EC train to Lugano at 16:25, arr Lugano at 17:32, costing 9 euro with a Swiss Pass.
The alternate route give an opportunity to spend some time overnight in Varenna on Lake Como if that is of interest. Italian schedules are available at http://www.trenitalia.com/trenitalia.html
The easiest way to Paris on the end is to take a TGV Lyria train from Lausanne to Paris. That takes only 3 hours and 40 minutes.
Posted by
Wisconsin
28 posts
We are in Switzerland now. A 12 day trip - all train. purchased 15 day first class ticket for two - $1,500 us dollar. Seems expensive but transportation and buying individual tickets is VERY expensive. we consider it deal. used it to enter museums, cable cars, trams, buses, all trains including the golden rail. We are in our 60's and find it easier than a car. everything is very clean. Trains are on time and hardly any waiting. also, with a Swiss Pass you do not stand in line at the ticket office. Just jump on the train. go anywhere. you will not regret it.
Once you get here, there are plenty of maps that show you all the places your Swiss Pass goes.