Gotthard closure: other route Italy-Grindelwald?
A traveler named DuckyIB is planning a trip starting on September 24, traveling from Milano Centrale to Grindelwald via Spiez with a Berner Oberland Pass. Due to train disruptions and increased travel times, they're seeking advice on alternative routes to Venice on September 28, considering issues with flights and wanting to book their travel today.
- Check the SBB website for current travel disruptions and updates.
- The route via Domodossola is viable to reach Grindelwald, but make sure to input 'Kandersteg' in the SBB timetable search to avoid showing quicker routes not covered by the Berner Oberland Pass.
- Look into a direct train from Brig to Venice for a smoother journey, and ensure to purchase a separate ticket for the Domodossola to Venice leg.
AI-generated summary-
I had planned to travel via SBB, with half fare card and Berner Overland pass purchases: 24/09/23:
Milano Centrale on EC52-Spiez, then using BOP: Interlake-OST-Grindelwald. With the Gotthard base tunnel closed to passenger trains ( 2up to 2 hour delays) and the alternative route of Domodossola (engineering work) being diverted to bus it seems like travel time has greatly increased.
Next I was traveling to Venice (28/09/2023) again retracing itinerary back through Milan. In light of above disruptions Im wondering if anyone can recommend an alternative route. I looked at flights to Zurich on Swissair, for some reason my travel date 24/09/23 kept switching to 23/9/23 I don’t know if all flights are booked on that date? , trains time to travel from Zurich look time-consuming.
Should I go with a different Panoramic train line? I thought I read difficulty with Tirano area as well?
Hoping to book today as I need to inform drivers and accommodation sites of my arrival times.
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Hi DuckyIB,
You can research on the SBB website under “Operations & Disruptions” for any current and future disruptions. From what I can see the Domodossola engineering works are scheduled to be completed by September 10. So, you should be fine to reach Grindelwald via this route.
As for the Bernina Pass being an alternative. All doable but it would entail quite a full days travel. Looking at the SBB timetable, it appears to be over 9 hours of train travel. Information on the Bernina Pass can be found here:
In regard to Swissair, perhaps there was a glitch in the system. It seems strange that flights are already booked out for late September. I’d try again.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Ive seen a couple of links that suggest a direct train from Brig to Venice (assuming this is part of BO) reference need to go thru Kandersteg vs Lotschber tunnel. Then do I transfer to another SBB train or to a Trenitalia FrecciaRossa train to Venice?
Hi DuckyIB,
Yes, that’s right. This would mean you would take the route via Domodossola to reach Venice. Here’s the Berner Oberland Pass coverage map in the below link:
Just a note, if you are taking this route and coming from Grindelwald. When researching this journey via the SBB timetable, ensure you key in “Kandersteg” in the via box. Otherwise, the quicker route maybe displayed and this route would not be covered with your Berner Oberland Pass.
Any changes required can be viewed in the timetable. Traveling to Venice via Domodossola, you would need to purchase a ticket Domodossala-Venice. More information on travel to/from Italy plus ticket purchase options can be found here:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
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