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Short time in switzerland

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Traveling to Italy next May 2025. Tempted to spend a few days in Switzerland either before or after. Italy will include Rome, Florence, and Venice. Venice can either be starting or ending point for Italy leg of trip. Switzerland seems so close, yet after reading several posts on this topic, it seems a bit overwhelming. Wondering if we need to put it off and make a totally separate trip. However, who knows when/if we’ll ever make it over there again. So…main questions:

  1. Where can you visit that’s worth it when you have only 3-4 days total (including travel day).
  2. If we flew into or out of Switzerland which airport?

If we add on Switzerland, I would really want to see the Alps and quaint little town(s), no real interest in big cities there unless there is absolutely something we shouldn’t’ miss. No strenuous hikes, but easy to barely moderate would be ok.

Posted by
21027 posts

A proposal,

Fly into Zurich. You can get to Pontresina (near St Moritz) in 3 3/4 hours by train. You will take a train to Zurich HB, then train to Chur, then train to Samedan, then very short train to Pontresina. Chur to Pontresina follows the Bernina Express route without the expensive seat reservation fee. Stay 2 or 3 nights, then train to Tirano, then train to Mllan, then train to Venice. Pontresina to Tirano is the completion of the Bernina Express route, again on a regular train without the seat reservation. You will travel along Lake Como from Tirano to Milan.

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you! Are there specific things to see along that route? Is it worth it or we will feel like all our time is traveling/train rides?

Posted by
4855 posts

Many people (especially those who cannot hike) go to Switzerland just for the scenic train rides.
All of those connections may look like a lot, but the Swiss train system is mightily efficient.
Since you have limited time, I'd focus more on what you could do while staying in Pontresina and less on stopovers.

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