My husband & I are traveling in Aug/ Sept. Our Switzerland portion of the trip is Zurich, Lucerne, Lausanne and then heading to Lake Como, Vareena. Ending our trip flying out of Milan,
Some of the tourist trips we decided are a boat trip around Lake Zurich, day trip to Bern, Mt Pilatus. Traveling to Lausanne via Golden Pass We will be traveling with RS' s book so will do some of his walks. Not finding podcasts for Swizerland???? Are they available??
We have two questions for this great site:
1. What type of train pass would you recommend? I am so confused on that? Purchase from US before we leave or in Zurich. Coming in from Munich.
2. What is best travel means from Lausanne to Vareena? I sincerely thank you in advance for any suggestions/comments.
Posted by
Green Bay
21145 posts
- How are you getting to Zurich and from where? If flying with only 3 legs, point-to-point will be the most cost effective. If taking any mountain excursions out of Luzern, it might change that equation.
- "Best"? Easiest, fastest, cheapest would be Lausanne to Milan on the EC train then to Varenna on the regional train. Most adventurous, EC train Lausanne to Domodossola, then to Locarno on the Centovalli railway, then 2 local trains to Lugano, bus to Menaggio, ferry to Varenna.
Posted by
OP
The Woodlands, Tx
3 posts
Definitely answered ?#2 as we r retired & aren't into that much adventure. Will go through Milan.
We will be traveling from Munich into Zurich by train. Our plans are to take the Golden Pass train from Lucerne to Monteaux and then train or ferry to Lausanne. We will also be doing the Mt Pilatus trip. Also day trip to Bern. Two nights in Zurich, three nights in Lucerne and three nights in Lausanne,
When you say point to point you mean just individual tickets? Still leaning that way with my itinerary?
Thank you for your quick response.
Posted by
Green Bay
21145 posts
Having said that, get a 30 day Half Fare Card for 120 chf each. You can use it for the Swiss portion on the Munich-Zurich leg (unless you pick up a Sparpreiss ticket from DB) and the Lausanne-Milan leg. It will also give a 50% discount on the Mt Pilatus and Bern day trips, and if you decide to do Vevey to Lausanne on the ferry. It will also be good for 50% discount on local transit in Zurich, Luzern, Lausanne, and Bern.
Milan-Varenna is 6.45 euro each. Be sure to validate your ticket before boarding.
Posted by
OP
The Woodlands, Tx
3 posts
Sparpreiss ticket? from DB???
Ok to just get the Half Fare Card when we get there?
Thanks again for all your information. And we learned about validating tickets a couple of years ago when we visited Italy!
Posted by
Green Bay
21145 posts
How are you getting from Munich to Zurich? Sparpreiss is advance purchase nonrefundable (therefor discounted ticket). You will be buying your ticket from the German Railway (Deutsche Bahn is the real name, DB for short). So just curious.