June family trip to Geneva, Spiez and Lake Como in 8-10 days
Mahesh is planning a family trip to Switzerland and Italy for 8-10 days with 6 people, including 3 seniors. He is looking for recommendations on where to stay and how to travel between Geneva, Spiez, Milan, and Lake Como. The discussion includes travel tips and suggested itineraries for an enjoyable trip.
- Invest in eight-day Swiss Travel Passes for unlimited travel in Switzerland.
- Take the scenic RE1 Regional Express train from Spiez to Lugano for beautiful views along the old Lőtschberg line.
- Use Montreux as your base if visiting Glacier 3000, and ride the GoldenPass train to Spiez.
- From Lugano, use the bus ASF Autolinee to Menaggio for access to Lake Como.
AI-generated summary-
Hi,
We are planning family trip consists of 6 people, (out of this 3 are senior citizen). We would like to explore, Swiss + Italy… (Geneva, Spiez, region, Milan , Lake como). Can you suggest something good here like where to stay, how to travel to Italy (No of days 8-10 )Thanks
Mahesh
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Hello again Mahesh.
The plans you set out in your thread are very sketchy. I am GUESSING that you envisage flying into Geneva and spending a week in Switzerland before going on to Como and Milan (?before flying home home from Milan Malpensa?).
If I am guessing correctly, I would tentatively suggest the following.
Invest in eight day Swiss Travel Passes: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/.
On arrival in Geneva go straight by train to the Vevey/Montreux area: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/montreux/. Spend days one and two in that area.
On day three take the Golden Pass Express to Spiez, and spend days three, four and five in the Spiez/Thun area: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/thun/.
https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/goldenpass/
On day six travel to Lucerne (called Luzern in German) via Interlaken Ost. Spend days six and seven in or near Lucerne: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lucerne/.
On day eight catch the Treno Gottardo from Lucerne to Locarno: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/gotthard-panorama-express/. These trains (numbered IR26 and IR46) take the old Gotthard line through truly magnificent scenery.
Have lunch in Locarno and then catch the hourly RE80 train bound for Milano Centrale via Lugano, Chiasso and Como[City]. The frontier is at CHIASSO, so you will need Italian tickets south of that town: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-guide/italy-switzerland/.
Kind regards
Roger
Hi Mahesh,
Based on your plans, I would start by choosing a base in Geneva, continue to Interlaken, Lucerne then Lake Como.
You can find information about where to stay in location here: https://www.myswissalps.com/accommodation/
For tips on tickets and travel options from Switzerland to Italy: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-guide/italy-switzerland/
If you prefer someone to help you plan your Switzerland and Italy itinerary: https://www.myswissalps.com/planning/itineraries/itinerary-service/
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Anna
Hi Anna / Roger
Thanks for Inputs. Basis this i have listed down following places of interest. Can you please add or suggest
1. Flying from India to Geneva, Stay around Lausanne or Montreux. Can plan to visit Glacier 3000
2. From Geneva to SPiez -2 night stay exploring this region
3. How can i travel from Interlaken or Spiez to Lugano – What cna be interest area here
4. Travel from Lugano to Lake como and than onwards Milan
Hello again Manesh
Stage 3 Spiez to Lugano.
Do NOT catch an Intercity or Eurocity rain. These trains go through the very unscenic Lőtschberb BASE tunnel.
Instead catch the RE1 Regional Express train bound for DOMODOSSOLA. These train runs every two hours, and take the highly scenic route along the old Lőtschberg line (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/lotschberg-mountain-railway/) via KANDERSTEG. Sit on the right-hand-side in the direction of travel.
From Domodossola take the even more scenic CENTOVALLI train line (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/centovalli-railway/) to Locarno.
From Locarno to Lugano take the (frequent) RE80 train.
I would stress that the Swiss Travel Pass is valid for the whole of this journey, even though quite a large part of it is actually in Italy. (Look at a map.)
Stage 4 Lugano to LAKE Como.
(You will need a map to study.)
The Italian bus company ASF Autolinee runs a bus about six times a day from Lugano station to Menaggio. (Route 112). I would stress that Swiss tickets are NOT valid on this route.
Menaggio is on the western shore of Lake Como. There are frequent buses and boats from Menaggio to Como CITY, and to other places around the lake, which is (of course) entirely within Italy, and therefore outside the scope of this forum.
Best wishes for your detailed planning
Roger
Hi Camahesh,
That is a sensible route. I would consider using Montreux as a base if you are planning a day trip to Glacier 3000 (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/glacier-3000/) and also ride the GoldenPass train (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/goldenpass/) to Spiez via Zweisimmen.
From Spiez to Lugano, I would take Roger’s advice and use the scenic option via Kandersteg and Domodossola. You can make a quick pit stop in Domodossola and Locarno for lunch and sightseeing.
You can find information about Lugano here: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lugano/
From Lugano, there are regular train connections to Como San Giovanni (south of Lake Como). Or you can take the bus to Menaggio (to reach the northern part of Lake Como).
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Anna
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