Eurotrip

The best website for rail schedules in Europe is the German Rail (Bahn) website. Somehow I don't think you are on the "Eurail" website, since they don't have rail schedules. You might mean RailEurope. You probably won't find one complete connection on the RailEurope site, but will have to break it up into multiple legs. And don't buy tickets from RailEurope because they start with the in-Europe price and add their expenses and profit. Also German Rail won't sell you online tickets for connections totally outside Germany. You could get discounted online tickets from Venice to Munich and from Munich to Interlaken, but that would be the long way around. If you want tickets before you get there, you'll have to go to the Italian Rail website (www.trenitalia.com) and to the Swiss Rail website (www.sbb.ch).

Last question first - my memory is that it is a checked baggage service so the luggage should be secure. Not cheap, can be slow (This Is Italy), and may have hours of opening which don't meet your needs (again T-I-I, This Is Italy). If you and your family are just blitzing Venice on the way somewhere else you may find you get tired (or at least one person does). Its a lot of walking and up and down bridges. Every time you cross a canal - dozens of times in a day - its up and down the bridge. Stairs only, no ramps, on most. But, assuming that's what you want to do, if you want to travel in the evening from there to Interlaken Ost, are you prepared to not get much sleep and change trains in the middle of the night? The total trip will be about 12 and a half hours. If so, unless you want to be on a station in the middle of the night for several hours - here goes: Leave Venice Santa Lucia at 22:51 on the CityNightLine train to Munich. Get off at 4:31 in Innsbruck. You have 22 minutes to change trains. If the CNL is on time that should be OK. Take the 4:53 Euronight to Zürich, arriving 9:20. You have 12 minutes to catch the 9:32 InterCity train to Bern. Arrive at 10:28 with 6 minutes to catch the 10:34 InterCity from one platform away to Interlaken Ost, arriving there at 11:28, total duration 12 hours 37 minutes. If you miss any of the connections in Switzerland that is not a worry. The trains are not reserved and your ticket will be good on the next one. Swiss trains work on a clockface system with frequent trains connecting all stations. If you have to miss one it will just make your journey longer. Happy planning...

By the way, Anish, from where will you be traveling to Venice? If arriving in the early morning I assume it will be no further than Padova or Vicenza?

Hi Nigel, Thank you for the complete venice to Interlaken route that is very helpful. Considering how cubersome it can be with family including parents age have decided to change the route. here goes my complete plan. would be great to have your inputs 6th March 2012 Reach Rome by 1pm 7th March 2012 Rome - Vatican,Colosseum, spanish steps. may take hop in hop off bus 8th March 2012 Florence 9th March 2012 Rome - Amalfi coast; late nite train to Milan and continue to Lucerne 10th March 2012 Lucerne - Mt Titlis 11th March 2012 Lucerne - Glacier 3000 12th March 2012 Interlaken 13th March 2012 Interlaken 14th March 2012 Paris (morning TGV train from Interlaken to Paris ) 15th March 2012 Paris 16th March 2012 Paris 17th March 2012 Flight back from Paris to Mumbai at 11 am We have booked hotels for rome and paris however Lucerne and Interlaken is still let. can u suggest some budget options. Also haven't decided much on what we will see. Would love to have your views.

Anish, It's helpful that you've now posted your Itinerary, as it allows a better look at the overall trip. Unfortunately, the route you're planning is somewhat "inefficient" and will not only cost more but will use a greater amount of travel time. Is it possible at this point to make changes? If so, you might consider something along these lines.... > Mar. 6 - Arrive Rome > Mar. 7 - Rome, touring (Vatican, etc.) > Mar. 8 - Rome > Mar. 9 - Train to Florence (~1H:35M) - one night (*** I'd suggest skipping the Amalfi coast, as the time to get there and back will be a problem - ESPECIALLY travelling from the Amalfi Coast to Lucerne in one trip is not something I'd ever consider). > Mar. 10 - Train to Lucerne (~6H:00M with minimum two changes) > Mar. 11 - Lucerne - Glacier 3000 > Mar. 12 - Train to Interlaken (~2H:00M, possibly changes) - are you staying in the city of Interlaken, or somewhere in the Lauterbrunnen Valley? > Mar. 13 - Interlaken > Mar. 14 - Train to Paris (you'll probably use an Intercity train to Basel, and then TGV from there to Paris - you'll arrive at Gare de Lyon or Gare de L'Est, and can use the Metro from there to the area where your Hotel is located). > Mar. 15 - Paris > Mar. 16 - Paris > Mar. 17 - Return home IMHO, the changes I've suggested will make the trip much easier. Happy travels!

Thanx Ken :-) This is really helpful especially abt travel info from interlaken to paris. as far as Amalfi coast is concerned we have not finalised on it will decide it then and there however open to suggestions on what to do around in rome.. Also we will be back from amlfi coast to rome and then will take a train to lucerne.. BTW i m confused between Jungfrau+mt titlis and glacier 3000....my family is keen on scenic and greenery! I can do mt titlis but have to choose between Jungfrau and Glacier 3000.