Hi,
My wife and I are planning a trip to Italy/Switzerland/Paris in early October. The idea for the Switzerland part is to take a train from Venice to the Interlaken area (based off the RS ratings for what to see in Switzerland), and spend 2 or 3 full days there until we take a train to Paris.
I'm looking for tips regarding how to get from Venice to Interlaken (for instance, we've read nice things about scenic train rides), what to see/where to stay in the Interlaken area, and how to get to Paris afterwards.
Thanks!
Posted by
Citizen of the World
3475 posts
A couple of the scenic train routes from Venice to interlaaken/Berner Oberland include Venice to Innsbruck via the Brenner Pass ( taking from 5 hrs) and continuing from Innsbruck to Interlaaken/Berner Oberland ( from 6 hrs). Another very scenic route is the route over the Bernina Pass This route is Venice to Tirano, Italy ( from 6 hrs) and then Tirano to Interlaaken ( from 7 hrs).
This route through the Bernina Pass is repeatedly on “Top 10” lists of the most scenic train rides in the world, and the train route itself is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Obviously, you would want to overnight en route for either of these journeys. The most optimal choices are overnighting in Innsbruck, Austria for the Brenner Pass route and Alp Grum or Pontresina Switzerland for the Bernina Pass route. They are both in the Alps whereas Tirano, Italy is a border town with not much character or reason to recommend it.
I would highly recommend staying in the Berner Oberland mountains above Interlaaken in locations such as Lauterbrunnen, Murren or Wengen because they’re only about 30-45 minutes further than Interlaaken and place you among the most beautiful locations in the entire Swiss Alps.
Interlaaken is basically a transit junction and service center for the region and not particularly scenic itself.
Your train to Paris will depart from Interlaaken.
You can get a basic overview of train schedules at www.TheTrainline.com You can buy train tickets directly from the train companies websites. A Flexible Swiss Travel Pass likely will save you money on train fares in Switzerland.
Have a great trip!
Posted by
Moncton NB
1321 posts
We did that trip in reverse. Drive from Stechelberg to Chur (via Luzern for lunch and side trip to Liechtenstein). Overnight Chur. Bernina Express to Tiranno. Trenord regional train to Milan. Trenitalia fast train to Venice.
As noted, this requires an overnight in Chur, which was very pleasant. Bernina Express was the best train ride I've ever been on. Some like the regional trains that run the same route, but I figure the splurge was worth it.