Hello,
I am trying to sort a two night stop between Zurich and Venice. We originally were going to stop in Lucerne for two nights and do some hiking but this seems impractical. The train ride from Lucerne to Venice is very expensive. I can't seem to find much information on Brig and I'm not sure it is worth two nights. Any advice is greatly appreciated. We don't have a lot of money so we are trying to find something on the way that will be a pleasant two night stop. Thank you!
Marta
If your route goes through Milan you could certainly find plenty to see and do there in a two-night stay.
If you would like someplace beautiful and quiet for hiking, I can suggest either Kandersteg or Bettmeralp in Switzerland. Kandersteg is right on the way (before Brig) and has a lovely lake above the town; we stay at the rustic mountain inn up there but the town is pleasant too.
Or Bettmeralp, which is a short hop (30 minutes or so) from Brig by train and then cablecar.
www.bettmeralp.ch
both are charming villages with lots of lodging and hiking options, and either one would leave you a journey of approximately 6 hours to Venice, if you make the right connections.
Another idea, if you really want to save money on transport, would be to see if the advance-fare special price of 30 CHF from Zurich to Milan is still available for your day of travel. Use that to get to Milan, and then take the short ride to one of the lakes nearby for your hiking. Staying in Milan itself is not a good idea if you are budget-minded.
Assuming you are taking a train, whether you go via Lugano or via Brig, you will have to through Milan. The route south from Zürich (Gotthardt line) is the fastest way (6½-8 hrs). Just before you get to Milan, you go past the Italian-Swiss lakes (Como, Lugano), a very scenic area. I'd stop there.
If you don't want to stop there is a hi-speed train that runs from Zurich to Milan. From Milan you can take the Eurostar to Venice.
We've made that trip before and IIRC it was under 5 hours total and the cost was around $75-$100/pp
According to the Swiss rail site sbb.ch the shortest travel time now is 6.5 hours from Zürich to Venice. (Maybe it was shorter when Tyson did it due to the Cisalpino trains, which have been discontinued).
Marta already said that they want to stop 2 nights en route rather than go straight through. The Gotthard tunnel route (via Lugano) is an attractive option IF the discount fare is available from sbb.ch on their travel date. But I woulnd't suggest staying in Lugano itself---it is very expensive and a big city. Nearby villages like Morcote or Gandria are better choices, but likely to be booked if they are going in July or August.
I think if hiking and scenery are the goal (rather than the shortest and fastest route), then the Brig route with overnight stop in the villages I suggested, or others in the area, would be a good combination of moderate price, ease of travel, and hiking opportunities.
Thank you so much for all the advice. This gives me a lot to consider.
