Hello! I'm planning a trip for next fall (2010). We'll be starting in Vienna, then taking the train to Salzburg. From Salzburg, we would like to go south to Monte Carasso, Switzerland. I was hoping for some advice on the best ways to get there and its accessibility. The reason for the visit is that my mom would like to see where her grandfather was born and the town he grew up in as a child before he immigrated to the US in the 1915. I realize we would probably need to fly into Lugano (maybe?) but am unsure. Ideally, we would like to fly there from Salzburg, though I'm not opposed to the train if it's worth the time (any ideas as to length of time??). I also realize Monte Carasso would be a day visit (more or less), so we would be visiting the surrounding area as well. Should we rent a car? Can we take a taxi?? We will also be ending our trip there, so advice on getting back to the US would be appreciated (flying out of ???). Thanks so very much for any advice!
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
It seems your best option is the train to Lugano, then rent a car. The train will take between 8 1/2 and 10 1/2 hours, depending on the one you select.Air flights to Lugano usually go via Zurich, and they are VERY expensive. Even via Milan, you won't find a cheap fare. No discount airlines make these runs.
The train, however, does have its issues, besides the length of travel. It seems like the fastest trains (8 1/2 hours) also require multiple changes, while the one train that only has one transfer in Zurich requires 10 hours for the journey. You can check schedules and purchase tickets at the Swiss Rail website, or check rail schedules only at the German Rail website.
As for returning to the U.S., Lugano is only a 60-90 minute train ride from Milan, with many trains/day...although you may want to stay in Milan the night before you leave, just in case.