Sorry if this has been answered already, but I am on my cell phone and searching isn't very easy. My friend and I are in Venice, leaving tomorrow for Lucern (and Switzerland for 8 days.) I was planning on buying a Swisspass when I got in country, but I need to figure out the best way to do this. Should I buy a ticket through Trenitalia to Domodossola and buy a pass there? Can I even purchase a pass there? Or is there is a better way? I'd prefer fast trains and can deal with tighter connections. Thanks in advance, John
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9109 posts
The Luzern bound trains don't pass through Domodossola. But even if you could, I would a book a ticket all the way to Luzern and wait to purchase your pass there; it makes everything a lot easier and you'll get to Luzern quicker. The first and fastest train of the day is at 6:20am. Venice S Lucia to Milan, 9:10 am train Milan to Arth-Goldau (EC 10), 12:14 train from Arth-Goldau to Luzern. Total travel time six hours twenty one minutes.
Posted by
OP
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
8 posts
Thanks for the quick reply. I looked into that on the Trenitalia site and could not book it. On the sbb site it was almost 300 CHF for two, while the in-Italy portion runs 45-50 EUR, so I was looking to avoid the addition costs. Can I buy a ticket at 'Italian' prices all the way through at a station through an agent? I will head that way and ask.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
A Swiss Pass would cover you from Chiasso to Luzern (following the route given by Michael), but I don't know if you can buy one in Chiasso. The Swiss Rail site gives a 2nd class fare of 59 CHF for Chiasso-Luzern.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19240 posts
According to this page on the Swiss Rail website, www.swisstravelsystem.ch/en/content/offer/ticket-shop/verkaufsstellen, Swiss Passes are sold at the Swiss Rail station in Chiasso, as well as at a long list of other Swiss Rail stations.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17245 posts
It's too late to help John, but this is a good illustration why people should consider getting their pass before heading to Europe. at least investigate the prices. Now John will have to get off the Milan to Arth-Goldau train at Chiasso to buy the pass, and then wait for the next train to come along before they can complete their journey to Luzern. And the Swiss Pass will cost them more than if they had bought it in advance in US dollars. This happens, generally at times when the exchange rate is unfavorable for the dollar. Price for an 8-day Swiss Pass in Switzerland is CHF 376, or $370 at today's rate. The price for the same pass on this website is $355. Yes, you would pay the $18 handling fee, but that is offset by the 5% FTE one would have to pay for use of a credit card to purchase the pass in Switzerland (which comes to $18.50 on a $370 purchase). Also, if you buy a Swiss Pass from RS you get a 20% - off shopping spree, nice if you need a piece of luggage.