We want to travel from Venice (where our tour ends) and go to Zermatt, Switzerland. It seems the train services vary a lot here and we are lost as to what to do. After 2 nights in Zermatt, we want to go to Belaggio on Lake Como, again by train and stay there 2 nights. Then on to Milan from Belaggio for 2 nights there. Then back to Venice from Milan. So, 3 train trips. What is the best and cheapest way to do this. Train travel is somewhat new for us. Any help you could give would be so appreciated. Thanks
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Train travel is probably the best with a combination of price and convenience. Go to bahn.de to get schedule information. You can book online and get the mini fares in Italy but that locks you into a schedule. Buy your tickets in the country for where you start your ride. Use trenitalia.com for Italy. You can also buy your tickets a day or so ahead. Trains rarely, if ever, sell out. Instead of returning to Venice, why not schedule your flight home from Milan. That would make more sense.
Posted by
OP
Allyn, WA.
2 posts
Thanks, Frank, you are the only one so far to help us. The reason we fly out of Venice is because we are on a 17 day tour before we do this train travel. The airfare was part of the tour and already arranged for us. So, we must fly out of Venice. Unfortunately. We will try what you have suggested and hopefully find a way to make this work. Carolyn
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17440 posts
You can also consult the Swiss rail site, rail.ch, for schedules. To buy tickets at mini fare prices, you must go to the Italy site, Trenitalia, but these will probably of benefit between Venice and Milan, on the IC or Intercity train. You can buy a ticket all the way to Zermatt at the Venice station, no problem, but it is good to look at the schedules in advance to know your choices. You will go Venice to Milan, change to a train to Brig or Visp, and then change again to the small train into Zermatt. What a beautiful place. To get to Bellagio, you cannot go by train. It is not served. You can go by boat from either Varenna or Como, each of whichnis easily reached from Milan by train. On our trip last year to Varenna we shared a compartment with a couple on their way ro Bellagio. They were planning to take the ferry from Varenna to Bellagio so I assume that is a good option. The trains in Italy are pretty reliable, and the station agents very helpful. You can always ask other travelers on the platform if younhave any questions about the schedule or where you should stand to get on the train. By the time you catch your third train, you will be an expert.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
As Lola said, booking in advance on the Trenitalia site can get you Mini fare tickets for Venice-Milan (and return). Doing the same for Milan-Visp or Milan-Brig can get you Smart fare tickets for €19. No discount fares are offered on the regional trains betweenr Visp or Brig and Zermatt.