Any recommendations for travel from Lodi, Italy (just south of Milan) to the Berner Oberland? I have both of Rick's books (Italy & Switzerland) and they both recommend trains, but which line? And should I book it now? And which town in the Oberland would you recommend? I'll probably stay three days (my itinerary is open..I'll be going down to central Italy from there). Thanks!
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9100 posts
Go to the Swiss Rail website at www.sbb.ch/en/index.htm to check schedules. The most popular area in the Berner Oblerland is the Interlaken area. From Milan you would take the high-speed Cisalpino train to Spiez. At Spiez transfer to a Swiss Rail train to Interlaken. Total travel time about 5 hours. If you want to stay in one the mountain villages outside of Interlaken (Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Murren, Gimmelwald, Grindelwald) you need to take one of the narrow gage trains from Interlaken Ost Station.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
The post above is correct. Several trains per day leaving Milan for Switzerland. Most will be EuroCity (EC) trains that go between countries. It could be a Cisalpino train dependng on the time you leave. Not to worry, they all do the same thing. You will positively change trains at Spiez but you could change trains in Brig as well. Strongly recommend that you stay in Murren or Wengen in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, where Lauterbrunnen, Murren, Wengen, Gimmelwald and Grindlewald are located. It's stunning and spectacular. Murren and Wengen are over 5,000 above the valley with unbelievable viewns down and up to the top of the alps. You won't get these views in Interlaken. Trenitalia will only book you to Interlaken Ost. You need to pay Swiss Francs to get from Interlaken Ost to Murren or Wengen. Not to worry. Train leaves for the Lauterbrunnen Valley every 30 minutes from Interlaken Ost. It's a 20-minute ride. No seat reservations - it's a local.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
www.sbb.ch will show you the entire journey. www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html will only show the journey to Interlaken Ost. You will need seat reservations on the either the Eurocity or Cisalpino trains. I'm not good a seat reservations in advance. I do know that if you get an E-ticket, just get on the train and take your seat. The conductor has a PDA. He/she plugs in your information to validate your ticket. It's just as easy to buy the tickets from Milan to Interlaken Ost at the train station in Lodi and pay in Euros. When you get to Interlaken Ost, walk into the train station and buy the remaining tickets to your destination. You'll pay in Swiss Francs. BTW, Switzerland has the best train and bus system you'll ever see. Our trip to Lauterbrunnen began in Venice and went through Milan. Very easy.