Getting from Italy to Switzerland

Catherine, To provide a "ballpark" estimate, the base fare (adult, second class) from Milano Centrale to Brig is currently listed at €33. Using the Swiss Rail website, the fare from Brig to Interlaken Ost is listed at CHF$42 (~ €32). That's the closest estimate I could find (I didn't check child fares, but suspect the fare for your daughter will be minimal, if any). I tend to take the attitude that since I need to get from one city to another, I'll get discounts where possible but ultimately will have to pay whatever the fare is. Good luck and happy travels!

Thank you to every one and yes I was thinking the boat for the last part of the trip! It sounds lovely. I have been on both of these websites given but they seem to not quote prices not sure if I am doing something wrong? With the italian bit of the fare do you need to reserve seats do you think? Thanks again Catherine

The Swiss website is the one you want. Either www.sbb.ch or www.rail.ch. (It's the same site) When you put in your starting and ending points, and click "search", a list of 4 or 5 routes will show up. You need to click on the little "button" (a triangle or pointer) on the left of the option you want to view. Then it will open a -down window showing the whole route with transfers. And it will have have a "fare/buy" button on the lower right of the window that you can use to find the fare, and purchaase if you like. You can also click on "show intermediate stops" if you are curious about those (I always am.) The IC (iintercity) train from Milan to Spiez will require a reservation. It is included in the price of the seat. The Swiss website will allow you to specify th etype of seat you like-with or without a table, window or aisle, etc.

I see a standard offer of 85CHF (Swiss Francs) on the Swiss train site for a ticket from Milan to Interlaken Ost. I also see a special offer of 35CHF for a non-exchangable non-refundable ticket. The fastest run takes 3.0hrs with a train change at Spiez. Other runs take a bit longer and require at least 2 train changes (one at Brig and one at Spiez). Some runs take 4.0hrs=4.5hrs and require 3 train changes. All of this can be seen on the Swiss train site at www.sbb.ch/en or www.rail.ch/en

If you are looking to get the best price, then the advance-purchase discount ticket mentinoed by Michael is a great deal. However, since your journey originates i nItaly rather than Switzerland, you will have to pay for the tickets to be mailed to you; you cann't pick them up with an internet code outside of Switzerland. The cost of mailing may be fairly steep, so check on that. The child is frree if she sits in your lap; half-fare if you get her a seat. from Interlaken Ost you still need to get to Iseltwald, unless your friends are picking you up. The boat would be a fun way to go.

Thank you again for the response I am fairly certain that this is what I want to do: Fly to Genoa - Italy hire a car travel through Asti region to Milan and onto Como. I then want to leave the car in Como and take the train to Switzerland to meet up with my friends as I think it is easier than taking a car into another country. I will then travel from Interlakken to Zurich or Geneva to fly back to London. We have 2 weeks so I was thinking 1 week Italy & 1 week Switzerland just wondering if anyone has anything to add to this or does this sound a do-able trip? Also do we need to go back to Milan to get the train to Switzerland or can we get on route at lake Como somewhere? My eyes seem to be going from all the websites I am finding the swiss train websites far too confusing as there seems to be so many packages! Does anyone have an opinion re flying from Geneva or Zurich - is the trip from Interlakken more beautiful one way than another?