We will be traveling to Zurich as a group of 5 which includes a one year old. The plan now is to arrive early the first day, catch a train to Lake Como. Spend day 2 nights at Lake Como, then return by train to Zurich for 4 nights. We plan a one day trip to maybe Konstantz, Germany? After the parents and the one year old leave, my husband and I will have 4 days to travel to the Alsace region of France before returning to Zurich for our return home. Most of my questions have to do with the train travel to Lake Como, Konstanz and the Alsace region. Any suggestions on routing, purchasing and the train travel? Thanks in advance for your help.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32200 posts
My first question is why are you flying into Zürich if your first destination is Lake Como? Also, where on Lake Como are you planning on staying? It's a big lake so it would help to know that. Also, why are you returning to Zürich for 4 days? Given the fact that you want to visit several areas, your time would be better spent elsewhere than Zürich.
Posted by
Green Bay
20032 posts
You can see the schedules and pricing at www.sbb.ch/en.
To get to Lake Como, you can get one of the frequent EC trains to the city of Como, then walk, bus, or taxi to the ferry dock (about 3/4 mile from Como San Giovanni station) and get a boat to other locations on the lake. Schedules at
http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/c_orari.asp
As far as paying for it, you could look at a Swiss Travel Pass or a Half Fare Card. If members of your group are family under 16, you can get a free Swiss Family Card and they will travel with you free when you buy the Pass or the HFC. The 1-yo should be free wherever you go. You'll have to crunch some numbers to see which is the best deal for you. Of course, that does not include cost of travel outside of Switzerland, but Como is just over the border, so you buy a small supplement for that before departing. Travel to Alsace is extra as well, but you can buy French TER tickets at Basel station and they are pretty inexpensive.
https://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/travel-in-switzerland/international-guests/swiss-halffare-card.html
https://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/travel-in-switzerland/international-guests/swiss-travel-pass.html