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Hi red6277, thanks for joining MySwissAlps!
I agree that renting a car in Switzerland to go to Italy probably is an expensive option, but you’d have to double check that with the rental agency. I’d keep things simple and not rent a car until you reach Italy.
A train trip from Wengen to Lugano takes 5h15 and 3 changes. A car trip will take 3h30, assuming no traffic jams and excluding the time it takes in Interlaken to go to the rental agency and to drop it off in Lugano. It also requires 2 changes (Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken) because you’ll have to train from Wengen to Interlaken anyway. I don’t think there’s any advantage to rent a car for just that Swiss leg, to be honest. Take the train and enjoy the scenery I’d say!
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That is helpful. Thank you! I really didn’t consider traffic. Are certain areas known for heavy traffic? I appreciate the feedback.
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Hi red6277,
Mostly around larger towns at rush hour (the usual!). Also around tunnels, like the Gotthard tunnel (between Göschenen and Airolo) there is often a slow down as well as it is only 2 lanes.
Lucas
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>> Also around tunnels, like the Gotthard tunnel (between Göschenen and Airolo) there is often a slow down as well as it is only 2 lanes.
I notice that German has a nice word for that: “Blechlawine” – metal avalanche!
I read in an online Swiss newspaper that at Easter this year, the “Blechlawine” at the north entrance of the Gotthard-Tunnel was already 14 kilometres long by 6:30 on the Friday morning!
Alpenrose
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Thank you all so much! This is the most helpful forum I’ve ever come across!
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Oh that is a perfect word for it – the Germans always have a word for it.
Holiday weekends are reportedly horrible for car traffic there (so say my friends who have cars!).
Lucas