We want to travel (family of 4 with twin 16yr boys) via scenic rail journey to the Berner Oberland region for 3-4 nights(Murren base)after 2 weeks in Italy in June 08. Not sure how to do, either from 3 days in CT then travel straight though Milan or from Venice. Or skip CT and go to Como instead? From BO will then train to Paris.
Also is Swiss pass best option for travel & will it cover Italy to Switzerland and then to Paris? We want to see Jungfrau & Schilthorn.
Marina
Posted by
Hiawatha, KS, USA Now Liberty Missouri
63 posts
My son and I just did the CT to Berner Oberland in October with a Eurail Global Pass. Here is our timeline and some opinions.
We left CT at 5:45 AM and got to Milan around 9:30. Then caught a mid day train to Luzern and arrived around 4 pm. This was not a "Swiss Scenic Rail Train" but it was a very scenic trip. We had planned on taking the Bernina Express from Lugano but wanted to spend more time in Berner Oberland. We have no regrets not taking the special train. The Milan to Luzern Inter City Express train was great and the views were super. We spent the night in Luzern then went to Lauterbrunnen the next morning. Also a very scenic train trip.
So logistic wise CT to Berner Oberland was a full day train trip. Of course it would be a much easier travel day starting from Lake Como. But CT is really nice.
Venice is closer to Milan than the CT. We had a couple of hour layover in Milan. Venice might have a better connection.
Others need to give opinions in the Swiss Pass.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
We did the Venice to Lauterbrunnen journey in early June of this year. The journey can take 6.0hrs to 9.5hrs with 2-3 train changes just to get to Interlaken Ost. You will go back through Milan where you will make one of your train changes. The shortest time can be found on the CIS "tilting" train which leaves the Mestre station in Venice (not Santa Lucia) at 8:32am. There's an extra charge for riding the tilting trains but they are fast. You can also get on the EC trains which are a bit slower. Here's a SAMPLE SCHEDULE for you to review. If you buy your tickets in Italy, they will only sell you tickets to Interlaken Ost and not to Murren. Although Switzerland has a very seamless and wonderful rail and bus system, (to be continued)
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
that section of the rail system from Interlaken Ost to Murren is on a railway with a different name and they want to be paid in Swiss Francs. Rest assured that this is not difficult. The train from Interlaken Ost into Lauterbrunnen runs about every 30 minutes and takes 25 minutes. You just walk up to the station agent and pay with Swiss Francs or your credit card. One hint is while changing trains in Spiez (if you in fact change trains there) is to run around the opposite side of the station and withdraw money from the ATM there. The currency will be in Swiss Francs. Next, I don't think a Swiss Pass will work in Italy. It does work flawlessly in Switzerland except in a few areas. It will cover you completely into the Lauterbrunnend Valley and up to Gimmelwald, Murren and Wengen. Any higher and it will only cover 50% of the cost. Last message coming up.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
A few details about the mountain tops. First, absolutely beautiful. Second, it takes the cog train 2hrs to get up to the Jungraujoch (highest train station in Europe) and 2hrs to get back down. Plus, you'll want to spend a couple of hours up there. Retail cost in U.S. dollars is about $135 per person round trip. The Shilthorn takes about 45min to get up and 45min to get back. Retail cost in U.S. dollars is about $90 per person round trip. Again, the Swiss pass covers only 50% of the cost from Lauterbrunnen and Murren. If you go in early June, a great walk is from Murren down to Gimmelwald. The wildflowers are in full bloom and it was 70 degrees on our walk. It was stunning. Next, late May and early June is the time when farmers walk their cows with those large and melodic Swiss cow bells up to higher summer pastures. I've seen this in both Lauterbrunnen and Murren. Feel free to message back if you need more information.
Posted by
Melbourne, Australia
15 posts
Thanks Robert & Larry Great info!
I think we will travel from Venice, and maybe spend a night in Luzern before heading to BO depending on schedule.
Trip is more direct than CT, but then again CT may be just the thing after Rome Venice & Florence. If we go to BO from Venice I would rearrange trip to Rome, CT, Florence then Venice.
Looking at Railpasses, the Swiss saver & youth pass seems the best option in view of expensive Jungrau & Schilthorn.
Is Murren best base in BO considering 16yr olds?
After BO not sure if should train to Montreux, see Chillon and then to Lausanne and get TGV to Paris (is this last leg covered in swiss pass? It refer to TGV in Swiss pass bonus discounts). However we might all be tired of trains, and perhaps Interlarken,Bern Paris may be better option. Any ideas? Are there flights from Bern to Paris?