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Italy to Switzerland via Train-Gotthard base tunnel open for freight trains only

Posted by (Vashon Island, WA) on

I had my itinerary set Thank you Laurel for PM major assistance- for travel between Bellagio ( via Milano Centrale ) to Grindlewald. Saw postings on myswissalps.com that Gotthard base tunnel is still closed passenger travel.( delays up to 2 hours)
Alternative routes Domodossola (engineering work)is being diverted to bus.
My plan was travel on SBB, with half fare card and Berner Oberland Pass
purchases: Milano Centrale on EC52-Spiez, then using BOP: to Interlaken OST-Grindelwald Bahnof.

Next leg of travel was Venice again retracing itinerary back through Milan. In light of tunnel disruption Im wondering if there is a different route I should travel. I looked at flights to Zurich and for some reason my travel date 24/9/23 kept on popping up 23/09/23, train looks time consuming to get to Grindelwald from Zurich.
Hoping to book today as I need to inform drivers, accommodation sites of my arrival times .
Thank you

Posted by
20114 posts

In light of tunnel disruption Im wondering if there is a different route I should travel

Passenger traffic is being diverted to the old route through the old Gotthard Tunnel. Takes about one hour longer, but is much more scenic.

Posted by
126 posts

Looks like your indicating staying with my original itineraries?

Posted by
1673 posts

EC 52 goes via the Simplon/Lötschberg route, and is thus not affected by the Gotthard closure. You can take your train from Milano to Spiez as planned. (Assuming this is after sep. 18).

For travelling to Venice again you can either take the direct Brig - Venice train (taking a domestic service to Brig) or take a train to Milan and change there. Both cases the Gottard closure again does not affect you.

Posted by
16296 posts

What is your actual date of travel from Grindelwald to Venice? Is it 23 or 24 September? Even if the issues on the Brig to Milan train have been resolved, there is another problem down the line between Milan and Desanzano on the way to Verona. Trains either have a bus substitute between Brescia and Desanzano del Garda, or will route you down to Bologna and/or Padova on the way to Venice.

SBB will not sell a ticket on the “direct”train from Brig to Venice on those days; I kept getting an error message.

Posted by
126 posts

My travel dates from Grindelwald to Venice is 28/09/23
Thank you

Posted by
126 posts

I guess Ill retrace my travels with ticket from Spiez to Venezia Santa Lucia on 28/09/2023.
Will this work?

Posted by
1673 posts

Grindelwald - Venezia via Spiez should be no problem in 28/9 so you can go ahead and just book that with SBB if your want.

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