Train Between Italy and Switzerland

Posted by Josh (Irvine, CA, USA) on 07/11/07 10:22 PM

I'm going on my honeymoon in September flying into Rome(FCO) and out of Milan(MXP). We are working our way north hitting Rome, Florence(a few days in Tuscany), and Cinqueterra. We might have an extra 2-3 days available and are wondering if fitting in Interlaken is possible?

Anyone have experience doing the trip from either CT or Milan to Interlaken? Is there a night train we can make? If not, will the trip take too much time to where it might not be worth it? We'd really like to see the Alps, but only have 15 total nights.

Posted by Tim

Minneapolis, MN, USA

07/12/07 06:44 AM

8700 posts

I haven't traveled that route, but I checked the timetables at www.bahn.de. There is no actual night train, but you could make the trip overnight (with three changes and little sleep). Better would be to take a day train from Milano (one change and just over four hours).

Posted by Frank

Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

07/12/07 07:37 AM

23626 posts

Any particular reason for Interlaken? If you wanta good taste of Switzerland take the train from Milan to Zurich/Luzern area. It is a terrific four hour ride. Luzern is the tourist capital of Switzerland. It is not the heart of the Alps but it a very nice and relaxing area.

Posted by Lola

Seattle, WA

07/12/07 10:38 AM

17418 posts

You cannot really "see" the high Alps from Interlaken, you must go further, to Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald. Either one is about 5 hours or more each way from Milan. There are many lovely viewpoints closer to Milan. For example, the car-free village of Bettmeralp, perched high above the Rhone Valley, on a south-facing bench that generally has better weather in September than the Berner Oberland region. This is only 3 hours from Milan, and the final leg of the journey is an exciting cable-car ride. It is well worth spending a night or two there. You can ride another cablecar up the Bettmerhorn or the nearby Eggishorn for views of the Jungfrau region from the south, and Europe's largest glacier, the Aletschgletscher. Look at photos at www.bettmeralp.ch Another possibility is Zermatt, which is only 3.5 to 4 hours from Milan. Rick finds it "too touristy", but the mountains and views there are as nice as the Berner Oberland region (and way better than Interlaken).