Where to go from Milan?

Posted by critter01 on 01/21/24 09:41 PM

We will be visiting Florence and Milan this summer, and would like to add a Swiss destination (as we've covered Italy on previous trips). Any advice on a great Swiss destination that would be easy train access from Milan? Would love to blow my kids' (12 and 17) minds with the Matterhorn (Zermatt?) or the gorgeous chateaux, but we're also very conscious of how crazy the flight prices are from the US when they are not round-trip so we may want to return to Milan after.

I've only been to Switzerland by ferry for a one-day hike from Bellagio, so I feel very overwhelmed by the options! I welcome any advice!

Thank you!

Posted by MaryPat

Irving

01/21/24 10:13 PM

3226 posts

Don’t assume the flight prices are higher if flying into one city and out another. You can take a train from Milan to Zermatt that requires a transfer taking 3h 45m. You can then fly home from Zurich.

Posted by Lola

Seattle, WA

01/21/24 10:14 PM

17418 posts

Zermatt is only 3.5 hours by train from Milan (3h 31 minutes to be exact) if you take the route with a single change at Brig. That would be easy.

And returning to Milan would take just about the same amount of time as it would take to get to a Swiss airport: Zermatt to Geneva, 3 h37 minutes; Zurich, 3 h 21 minutes, Milan 3h 27 minutes.

So it makes sense to book RT Milan, unless it is cheaper to fly out of Zurich or Geneva, or you want to add one of those cities to your itinerary.

Posted by Lola

Seattle, WA

01/21/24 11:16 PM

17418 posts

Perhaps critter02 can clarify whether they are thinking of a daytrip, or overnight (1 or more nights in Switzerland).

I assumed the latter; History Traveler assumes the former.

It makes a difference to the answers.

Posted by critter01 OP

01/21/24 11:23 PM

13 posts

Thank you for the question, and I'm sorry for not being more clear initially. We would likely add 3 days to our trip for Switzerland!

Posted by phred

Los Angeles

01/22/24 02:05 AM

4853 posts

Bernina Express would be the standard train recommendation, lots of Youtube videos about it

Posted by Lola

Seattle, WA

01/22/24 03:15 AM

17418 posts

I do not think the Bernina Express is a “standard recommendation” for what the OP is asking. They want a destination in Switzerland that is not a long way from Milan. The Bernina Express journey to Pontresina or St. Moritz would be 2.5 to 3 hours from Milan to Tirano, then another 2 hours to Pontresina, for a total of 5.5 -6 hours, plus wait time at Tirano to change trains.

Look at the Swiss rail map to see how far to the east the Bernina route is from other routes into Switzerland.

https://www.sbb.ch/content/dam/internet/sbb/en/freizeit-ferien/inspiration/internationale-gaeste/Geltungsbereich-Swiss-Travel-Pass.pdf.sbbdownload.pdf

And then to reach an airport, they would have the same 5.5 to 6 hours to return to Milan if they book RT, or 3.5 hours to Zurich if they can book multi-city.

The OP has Zermatt in mind, and for the purpose that is an excellent choice, given the short travel time as compared to other destinations in Switzerland. The village itself is very scenic, with classic Swiss-chalet architecture in most of the hotels. And with 3 days there, they have a good chance of enjoying views of the Matterhorn. And there are lots of fun activities for the teens (and their parents) in summer, including skiing if they are so inclined.

https://www.zermatt.ch/en/summer