We are planning a two week trip flying into to Milan or Zurich and then spending 3 nights in Varenna, 3 nights in Murren, 2 nights in Luzern, 1 night in Bern and the rest of time has not been decided. We will be traveling by train from late Aug to mid Sept. If we start in Milan what would the recommended itinerary in Switzerland be after leaving Varenna? We would consider reversing the trip and start in Zurich if that makes best use of our time traveling.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Art, I would suggest Milan to Muerren via Brig and Spiez to Interlaken Ost. From Interlaken Ost, you take the 22-minute ride into Lauterbrunnen on the Jungfraubahn, walk across the street to the Lauterbrunnen BLM (Gondola) and up you go to Grutshalp. At Grutshalp, you can walk or take a short train ride into Muerren. The Italians can't sell you a ticket beyond Interlake Ost but this is not a problem. Just buy the ticket to Interlaken Ost and then walk into the train station there and buy your tickets for the remainder of the journey. Or, if you are within 30 days of travel, you can buy the entire journey online from the Swiss at www.sbb.ch. From Muerren, you have an interesting choice. You can easily take gondola/train trip to Bern and then onto Luzern. Works well. Or, you can return to Interlaken Ost and take the Golden Pass scenic train up to Luzern. You can travel to Bern after that.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17422 posts
If you can fly into Mialn and out of Zurich, you can go in this order: Milan to Varenna; from there back to Milan (1 hour trip) and to Luzern via the Gotthard Pass route (about 3.5 hours). From Luzern, take the Golden Pass route over Brunig Pass to Interlaken Ost and change there to get to Mürren. Then hit Bern between Mürren and Zurich. An alternate plan would be to enhance your time in Switzerland by adding time in the Engadine and a trip on the Bernina Express. for this, you would travel from Varenna to Tirano (1.5 hours north) and pick up the train on the Bernina route there. Spend a night (or more if you have time) in Pontresina, Samedan, or St. Moritz. Then travel to chur and on to Luzern to continue with the itinerary above.
Posted by
Dallas, Texas, USA
501 posts
Art, I think you've come up with a near perfect trip. We've never been to Bern, but have been to the others. Do the board members a favor and give a trip report when you return. Please describe which advised way you traveled with pros and cons listed. Good Luck!
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8966 posts
Art I would skip Bern, unless you have a specific reason to visit.
Posted by
OP
Madison, Ct. USA
12 posts
I want to thank you all for your replies, your info has been helpful for planning our tip.