Best route Venice-Switzerland, base, scenic train ride + activities
Tanveer Shaikh is planning a four-day trip for a family of four from Venice to Switzerland, focusing on Mount Titlis, Jungfraujoch, and Interlaken. They need advice on the best train route, accommodation options, and activities to fit into their itinerary while also considering a panoramic train ride.
- Take an Italian fast train from Venice to Milan, then a Eurocity train to Lucerne, ensuring it goes via the Panoramastrecke for scenic views.
- Staying in Lucerne is a great choice as a base for day trips to both Mount Titlis and Jungfraujoch.
- Consider getting a Tell Pass for local transport around Lucerne instead of the Swiss Travel Pass if using Eurail Passes.
- Don't forget to book TGV train reservations for the journey from Zurich to Paris in advance.
AI-generated summary-
Hello everyone and warm greetings,
A family of four are planning to travel from Venice to Switzerland by train. Our main goals are to visit Mount Titlis, Jungfraujoch, and Interlaken. We intend to stay in Switzerland for 4 days and are also interested in experiencing a panoramic train ride.
Could you please advise:
- What is the best train route from Venice to Switzerland?
- Where would be the best place to stay considering our planned visits to Mount Titlis, Jungfraujoch, and Interlaken?
- What are some useful activities and sightseeing options apart from the above-mentioned locations that we can fit into our four (4)-day itinerary?
- Which panoramic train ride would you recommend, and how can we incorporate it into our itinerary?
Thank you in advance for your help and suggestions!
Best regards,
Tanveer Shaikh
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Hello Tanveer..
I can only give a definite answer to your first question. I am stressing that I am giving what I think is the BEST route, (which may not be the quickest.)
Take an Italian fast train from Venice to Milan(o) Centrale. Takes about two-and-a-half hours. From Milano Centrale get a Eurocity train heading north towards either Zurich or Basel. Before this train reaches Bellinzona, check with the conductor whether the train will be routed via the ‘PANORAMASTRECKE’. If yes (almost certainly the answer if travelling before September 2nd) stay on the Eurocity. If ‘No, we are going through the Base Tunnel’ get off at Bellinzona and wait for the brown-painted Treno Gottardo heading either for Zurich, or for Basel via Lucerne. These trains always take the ‘Panoramastrecke’.
Regarding question two, I would very tentatively suggest Lucerne (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lucerne/). But at this time of year it is going to be very busy and expensive.
Now some questions
When are you travelling?
Will you be using Eurail Passes (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/eurail-global-pass/)? Looking at the thread you posted five years ago, you did then have Eurail passes.
(Relevant if you are not on Eurail, how old are the children now? I am guessing 16 and 18.)
Did the trip five years ago actually take place? If yes, did you get to Jungfraujoch and/or Titlis? If yes, I would suggest try other mountains!
After Switzerland, where are you intending to go? For example, if your next stop is Vienna, do not base yourself in western Switzerland! Zurich or nearby would be much better!
Kind Regards
Roger Sexton
Hello Roger,
Thank you very much for your prompt and detailed response.
I posted this question on behalf of my cousin and his family, who are currently traveling from Venice to Switzerland with their two children, aged 16 and 13. They plan to get off at Zug and proceed to Lucerne.
I’ve suggested trips to Mount Titlis and Jungfraujoch. They have an Eurail Pass and plan to stay for 4 days in Switzerland. I believe a Swiss Travel Pass might be the best option for them.
They will be heading to Paris after their stay in Switzerland.
The main question now is whether it is advisable to set up a base in Lucerne for all these days. What activities and trips would you recommend under these conditions?
Regarding my personal visit back in 2019, it did happen, and thanks to this forum, we followed the advice and set up a base in Lucerne, making trips to the fabulous mountains mentioned.
Your early suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards,
Tanveer Shaikh
Hi Tanveer.
If I were you cousin and family I would stay in Lucerne for the four days. As they have Eurail passes, there is probably no benefit in getting a Swiss Travel Pass.
What they should get for all the local mountain lines around Lucerne and for the lake boats and other public transport is a TELL PASS ( https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/tell-pass-summer/).
If they are desperate to go to jungfraujoch, I think the Eurail passes will take them from Lucerne to Grindelwald Terminal via Interlaken.
From Grindlewald Terminal to Jungfraujoch they will have to pay a very expensive fare. The Eurail pass MAY give them a 25% discount.
One point of detail. For Lucerne, passengers should change from the Eurocity at Arth-Goldau. Changing at Zug is possible, but the journey will take a bit longer.
Roger
I assume your Cousin will be travelling to Paris by a French high-speed train called a ‘TGV’ = ‘Train a Grand Vitesse’. Reservations for TGVs are mandatory. There are no TGVs from Lucerne. But TGVs to Paris run from Zurich to Paris via Basel’ If he has not already done so, your cousin should make the TGV bookings as soon as possible.
Roger
Hi Tanveer,
Lots of helpful and useful tips from Roger.
I agree, currently based on your plans, I agree Lucerne as a base would be a good choice. For additional Lucerne information including accommodation and activity ideas, please take a look at our guide here:
Traveling from Italy, you could consider the scenic train ride on the Bernina Express. You can read all about it here:
Or you could take the Gotthard Panorama Express, which is a combination of a boat ride and train journey between Lucerne and Lugano.
You could actualy combine this with a ride on the Centovalli railway (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/centovalli-railway/).
Whilst in Lucerne, there is also the GoldenPass route, that they could enjoy:
You may want to take a look at our Eurail Global Pass guide, there is a summary of the Swiss side of things that are included which should help with planning too. You may find the coverage sufficient if not it maybe worth investing in an additional rail pass.
Here it is: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/eurail-global-pass/
I hope this gives you a few more ideas.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
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