Milan Italy to Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

It's about a 4 hour journey with changes in Interlaken, Spiez, and Brig. You can get details at the Swiss Rail website: www.sbb.ch/en

Helen, the Milan to Lauterbrunnen train route is so well traveled, you won't believe it. However, there are a few quirks to the journey.

First, if you use the www.trenitalia.com website, it won't show you the Milan/Lauterbrunnen train run. It will, however, show you the Milan/Interlaken Ost run. In fact, CLICK HERE to see it. The reason is that the Swiss want to be paid in Swiss Francs (CHF) from Interlaken Ost into the Lauterbrunnen Valley (it's a different Swiss train system but part of the Swiss system). You could see the whole run on the Swiss system at www.sbb.ch and might be able to buy the ticket but you would be paying in Swiss Francs.

Since you will be purchasing your tickets in Italy, ask for the Milan to Interlaken Ost ticket. Know the date and time you want to travel and you're set.

Next, when you arrive at the Interlaken Ost train station, you walk into the ticket office and purchase your tickets for Lauterbrunnen. It leaves just outside on track 2B and takes 25 minutes. You can pay with your credit card or Swiss Francs. Train runs every 30 minutes.

But, where do you get the Swiss Francs? I know where and have done it. When you change trains in Spiez, you have 16 minutes before the next train. Run around to the opposite side of the train station (it's not that big) and there's an ATM. It dispenses Swiss Francs. Works like a charm.

You can see from the train schedule that I linked above, that it's a 3hr-5hr journey depending on the run that you select. See if you can get on the Cisalpino train (CIS)(pronounced "cheesalpino") shown on the schedule. It's a "tilting" train (leans into the curves) and is much faster. It may cost a bit more but its faster. Or, you pick.

Thank you everyone.
Helen