train from interlaken to lucarno

Based on the information found on the Railpasses section of this site (click on the tab at the top of the page you're reading now), I presume you will need to buy a ticket for the portion of the trip from the Swiss border to Locarno (I assume you mean "Locarno" rather than "Lucarno.")

Tom, are you referring to Locarno, the small town on the north end of Lake Maggiore? If yes, I think you may have an interesting situation. Locarno is in Switzerland and there are two ways to get there. One way takes about 4 hours but you have to go into Italy to Domodossola to change trains. Your pass would be good to Brig or a smaller stop at the Swiss border but not beyond. You would need a separate ticket from Domodossola to Locarno.

The second method keeps you in Switzerland but the trip takes just over 5 hours. This journey goes north to Luzern, south to Bellinzona and then northwest to Locarno. Your Swiss pass should be good for all transportation on this run.

Tim and Larry, thanks for your reply. I thought that possilby there would be a charge on the Italian leg. Probably will go by Luzern. And yes, I meant to write Locarno. Have you been there? Would it be a good central location to see and hike. We will stay there 3 days then go by train to Florence and Tuscany. Any suggestions? Thanks again. Tom

tom,

The answer to your question is "Yes", it is possible to travel from Interlaken to Locarno! I'd highly recommend the route from Domodossola to Locarno via the famed Centovalli Railway. Try to schedule a sunny day, as the scenery is incredible!

I suspect you'd need to pay separately for the Italian portion of the trip. Hopefully one of our resident experts can clarify that? As I recall, I used my Flex pass which included both Italy and Switzerland so there was no extra charge.

Locarno is a fantastic and scenic city. I really enjoyed my time there, and it's a place I think of often, and one I want to return to soon! You might find it interesting to tour the Santuario della Madonna del Sasso church up on the hill (hopefully the Funiculare is repaired now?). Then take the Cable Car to Cardada, for an incredible view of the city and lake. Be sure to have a Beer and Lunch at the restaurant next to the Cable car terminal.

After this Post, I'm going to make plans to return!

tom,

Have a look at Cardada Cable Car for a bit of a view of the scenery.

Click on some of the links on the first page for some even more incredible views!

Happy travels!

Tom:

Check out the link below, for a map of the Swiss Transport System. The red lines show the routes covered by the Swiss Pass. The line from Locarno to Brig via Domodossola and the Simplon Tunnel is covered by the pass. The Swiss system allows for some transits that are faster by cutting through a corner of a neighboring country, i.e. this particular route or the Palm Express Post Bus trip from St. Moritz to Lugano via Lake Como.

http://www.swisstravelsystem.com/download_sts/uebersichtskarte_en.pdf

Certain services may require a seat reservation fee, usually 10 Chf, but there is not a ticket charge if you are using your Swiss Pass.

Have a great trip, after riding the Swiss Trains, you will wish we had such a system.

Kevin

Kevin, I echo Tim's thanks for the information. I too thought that the Swiss pass ended at the border. I have the Swiss train map downloaded but I didn't look at it. Good correction. Good info.

Kevin and Ken, Thanks so much for your posts. Any suggestions on a place to stay in Locarno?. Our final destination is Rome by way or Florence, Siena and Tuscany on the train. Did the Swiss Flex Pass work as good in Italy as it does in Switzerland? Thanks again. Tom

Kevin, thanks for correcting my mistaken assumption that the pass wouldn't cover the portion of the route that is in Italy. I suppose the reason is that you both begin and end in Switzerland and don't change trains.

tom,

On my visit to Locarno, I stayed in a Hostel (HI) so don't have any information on Hotels. Not sure if there are any listings in Rick's Switzerland Guidebook? There seemed to be lots of Hotels there, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding one.

I'm not sure how to answer your question on the Flex Pass? You'd need a Rail Pass that includes both Italy and Switzerland, in order to use it in both countries. There doesn't appear to be any difference in the way the Pass "works". If you're traveling with a Rail Pass, reservation fees are extra.

On the way south, you may have to change trains in Bellinzona, on the way to Milano.

Cheers!

The trip from Locarno to Domodossola is made by way of the Ferrovie Autolinee Regionali Ticinesi, or FART. This is a metre gauge elecric train also known as the Centovalli Railway. It is an interurban line that runs between Locarno and Domodossola, and is run by two companies, FART in Switzerland, and SSIF, or Società subalpina di imprese ferroviarie, in Italy. The route is a key link in connecting the Gotthard Line with the Simplon Line along the southern edge of the Alps.
The SBB connects with Locarno from Bellinzona and the Gotthard line to the east, and with Domodossola from Brig to the west.

You do change trains in Domodossola because the Centovalli is meter gauge (roughly 39 inches between the rails), where as the mainline SBB is standard gauge (4 feet 8 1/2 inches).

Also, near Locarno is Ascona. Both of these towns are very picturesque. The lake side promenades are great for soaking up the sun and people watching.

Kevin