Fastest route Interlaken-Venice + tickets/pass?
A traveler named Sweety-G is planning her first trip to Europe, spending 5 days in Switzerland, specifically in Luzern and Wilderswil, before heading to Venice. She needs advice on train routes, ticket purchasing, and whether to buy a Swiss Travel Pass since her hotels provide Guest Cards for local transport.
- Check the SBB timetable for the fastest train from Interlaken Ost to Venice, which takes about 6 hours 20 minutes.
- Consider purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass for convenience, especially for journeys covering Mt. Titlis and local transport.
- For the journey from Domodossola to Venice, you can stay on the train until Milan without changing.
- Evaluate the coverage of your Guest Cards to see if additional passes are necessary.
- Aim to depart early from Wilderswil for the best scenic views during your train journey.
AI-generated summary-
Hello everyone, I am travelling to Europe for the first time and I am very confused with the transportation arrangement. I will arrive Zurich airport and spend 2 nights at Luzern old town, then 2 nights at Wilderswil via Luzern-Interlaken Express .Total 5 days. Thereafter, travel to Venice.
1. Assuming I do not have STP, may I know what is the fastest train from Wilderswil station (or Interlaken OST) to Venice Santa Lucia?
2. For the Interlaken to Venice route, should I buy train tickets separately for Switzerland and then Italy (Trenitalia and Italo)?
3. Our hotels have already provided Guest Cards for free transport within the Luzern and Interlaken towns. Should I still purchase a Swiss Travel Pass (STP) for 5 days, if I only intended for Mt Titlis excursion, Luzern-Interlaken Express and Lauterbrunnen / Lake Brienz / Iseltwald?
Please help me. Greatly appreciate your advice.
Thank you in advance.
Cheers from Sweety-G
-
Hello Sweety-G,
Very welcome to MySwissAlps.
How exciting to be visiting Europe for the first time! Thanks for your sharing your plans. In answer to your questions:
1. You can research your journeys via the SBB timetable: https://www.myswissalps.com/timetable
I just carried a quick search for Interlaken Ost to Venice, the quickest route would be around 6 hours 2o minutes.
2. Yes, this is an option. If you did have the Swiss Travel Pass, this would cover all your travel in Switzerland, so up to the Swiss/Italian border. Thereon, you would only need a ticket from the Swiss border to Venice. For the fastest route that I mentioned, the border station would be Domodossola. So in this example, you would only need to buy a ticket for Domodossola to Venice.
Here’s our handy link to travel to/from Italy, you’ll find ticket purchase suggestions too.
If you had no rail pass and just wanted to buy a point to point ticket, Interlaken Ost to Venice, you can do so via these resellers here:
3. Best to research the coverage of the respective Guest Cards to see if they are sufficient for your Lucerne and Interlaken plans. If not an additional rail pass would be beneficial. Either the Swiss Travel Pass, Saver Day Passes or a Swiss Half Fare Card are popular choices.
I think it would be useful to carry out some maths via our “how to choose a rail pass” link. That way you can be sure of the best rail pass based on your plans. Here’s the link:
I hope this helps, do reach out if you have further questions.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Dear Yolanda,
I am so glad to have found MySwissAlps. You have been a great help. I will definitely analyze each of your proposal.
I have another important concern here. If I wish to optimize with some good views along my journey, what options do I have? I can start my journey early from Wilderswil and hope to arrive Venice by 5pm. My travel date is Monday, 27November.
From my research, there is so much irresistible scenes in Switzerland during train ride. With time constraint, I know I have sacrificed much but I hope to balance a bit if possible. Kindly advise.
FYI, I am actually traveling with my husband for our honeymoon trip in Europe.
Thank you so much!
Always grateful from Sweety-G
Hi Sweety-G,
Congratulations!
We are now in standard time, so the days are shorter. If you are wanting to enjoy scenery whilst traveling, best to set off early so you can enjoy all the scenery before it gets dark. Of course, this will also depend on the weather on the day.
If you are on a time constraint, you would be best to take the route Wilderswil-Interlaken West-Spiez-Milan-Venice. With this route, yes, it’ll be scenic. There’ll be views of Lake Thun. When you arrive at Spiez to change trains, you would be connecting up with the Lötschberg mountain route. More information and what to expect here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/lotschberg-mountain-railway/
If you had more time, then I would suggest either a ride on the Glacier Express or Bernina Express. Neither are directly en route to Venice but they are both very scenic and picturesque journeys. You could connect up with the Glacier Express at Brig, then go onto St.Moritz and then take the Bernina Express to Tirano (Italy). From Tirano, a train to Milan, then a train to Venice.
- Glacier Express: https://www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress
- Bernina Express: https://www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress
Of course, this is much longer journey but it’s an option if you had the time. All covered with the Swiss Travel Pass by the way, only the reservations would need purchasing.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Hi again Yolanda,
I am so thrilled with your proposals. I have finally decided on my travel plans in Switzerland and Italy.
1. In interest of time, I will use the following route to Venice, as suggested by you. Please help me to check if I have chosen the correct one with scenic Lötschberg mountain. This is the earliest route I can find.
07:21 Wilderswil Bahnhof
9 minutes
B 105 10508
07:30
Interlaken West Bahnhof
4m to change stations
07:34
Interlaken West
17 minutes
RE 4211
07:51
Spiez
14m transfer time
08:05
Spiez
1 hour 7 minutes
EC 51
09:12
Domodossola
2. Do you know how much time needed in Domodossola station for transfer to Italian train? There is a train at 09.17. Means only 5mins transfer. Is that sufficient?
3. I have also decided to buy Swiss Travel Pass. But there is no 5 days pass. Should I purchase 4 days or 6 days STP? I will land at Zurich aiport at 11:15 on 23Nov and leave Switzerland on 09:12 on 27Nov. The pass is quite pricey for short visits but I really like the convenience factor. Note that we have also been provided with guest cards from Luzern and Interlaken. Please advise.
Thank you, once again.
Warmest regards,
Sweety-G
Hi Sweety-G,
1 &2. Yes this schedule looks correct. There is no need to change trains in Domodossola. The time lapse is indicating the train will remain at the station for 5 minutes. The only change of trains are at Interlaken, Spiez and Milan.
3. That’s great you have decided to run with the Swiss Travel Pass. So convenient and practical. You can find purchase options below:
Another option, you could purchase a 3 or 4 day Swiss Travel Pass Flex and then just use your Guest Cards on the other days. That way, you can just use the Swiss Travel Pass Flex as and when you need to, opposed to consecutive days with the regular Swiss Travel Pass. More information on the Swiss Travel Pass Flex here:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Hi Yolanda,
Thanks for your clear guidance. I have evaluated the options and I am ready to make actual purchase.
1. Should I buy STP now or I can buy online upon arrival when needed to use? If purchased from mobile, can it be used instantly?
2. With STP, is it necessary to reserve my Swiss train tickets in advance as I have tight travel schedule on 27Nov? I must follow the train schedule as lined up above and not missed any train. Will it be easy and practical?
3. For Italian train to Venice, I must buy from Domodossola with connecting time at 9:17. Correct? Then, we just remain on board until Milano Centrale.
4. For Italian route, I am planning to buy using Trainline now because the price may fluctuate with seats availability. I see that Trainline offers clear description and more train options. However I cannot access their website now, it appears to be down currently. What should I do if I wish to secure my transport to Venice soon?
Many thanks.
Warmest regards,
Sweety-G
Hi Sweety-G,
1. I think you are safe to buy your Swiss Travel Pass now. Buying online is super convenient and you will receive your pass, in pdf, by email within a few minutes. You will also receive a link, so you can download and save to your phone too.
When you have moment, do take a read of our explanation on how to use the pass:
Your pass is ready to use as soon as the start date, you inserted arrives 🙂
2. With your Swiss Travel Pass, no need to purchase any tickets. Just board your train(s) and enjoy the ride. If a ticket inspector comes along, just present your pass and a form of identification (passport is best). The only time you will need to purchase a ticket is if you are planning on riding a cable car or mountain transport. Further details here: https://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity
3. Yes, correct. As long as you have a ticket from Domodossola to Venice, you can remain onboard till Milan, when you will change.
4. Do try again, I just tried now and it allowed me to research and key in details? Otherwise, there other reputable options in the below link:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Hi Yolanda,
There are lots of options when I purchase train tickets.
Anything in particular to take note so that I can have the best view and most comfortable ride?
For my journey, which side of the train should I sit?
Thank you.
Cheers from Sweety-G
Hi Sweety G,
In general Swiss trains are comfortable. You can sit back and enjoy the views regardless which side of the train you sit on. If the trains are not full, you can simply switch sides.
Enjoy your trip.
Regards,
Anna
- The thread ‘Fastest route Interlaken-Venice + tickets/pass?’ is closed to new replies.
