We are thrilled to be doing the Rick Steves My Way Alpine in June. After which we would like two spend two nights in Zermatt, and then two nights in Varenna, Lake Como, and on to Milan to fly home. Looking hard at what trains to get from Zermatt to Lake Como - standards, scenic and time considerations.
Any suggestions on how best to naviage this portion of the trip? THANKs in advance!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34390 posts
do you want scenic or fast?
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Do not want to take all day (i.e. 8-9 hours). Would like some scenic, but it sounds like some standard trains will be quite scenic even if we don't do the "scenic" trains. Looked hard at doing the Gotthard Panorama Express - but seems too far out of the way and you can't just jump on in Adermatt.
Posted by
Green Bay
21463 posts
There are plenty of trains going Lugano other than the Gotthard Panorama Express, although from Andermatt you must first take a short train down to Goeschenen to get them.
The only fast route to Varenna is a train to Brig, then an EC train to Milano Centrale, then a train to Varenna, and that is over 5 hours. Any scenic route will take the better part of a day.
June is a long time away and there may not be any Italian train showing up now, especially if the date is after June 14.
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Thanks Sam! I think the 5 hour will have to be the one - and I would imagine plenty scenic.
Because you seem to be one of the most helpful and knowlegable posters, when traveling from Chamonix to Zermatt, I'm assuming the Swiss Travel Pass doesn't work and you book with the French train system - SNCF? The RS My Way Alpine tour ends in Chamonix. At that point, we want to get to Zermatt, Varenna and fly home from Milan.
Posted by
Green Bay
21463 posts
Only the first part of the route from Chamonix to the Swiss border at Valorcine is not covered by the STP. And you really cannot "book" it as it is a TER, a French regional train with no seat reservations. Just buy a ticket and get on board. The Swiss trains don't have to be booked in advance either.