June: Zurich or Milan to Lauterbrunnen?
A traveler is planning a trip from the US to Switzerland in June and is deciding whether to fly into Zurich for a quicker connection to Lauterbrunnen or save money by flying into Milan despite the longer train journey. They are also considering whether to use a luggage service for easier transport between train changes and are looking for scenic route suggestions along the way.
- Flying into Zurich might save you hassle with fewer train changes and a quicker journey to Lauterbrunnen.
- If you choose to fly into Milan, consider using the Swiss Travel Pass for scenic train routes and evaluate the luggage service options for convenience.
- Enter 'Malpensa' in the train schedule to find connections from the Milan airport, simplifying your travel from there.
AI-generated summary-
We are traveling from the US to Switzerland in June and trying to determine if its worth the extra cost to fly into Zurich and taking the trains to Lauterbrunnen (shorter journey – 2 train changes) or to save a few hundred dollars and fly into Milan and then take the rail to Lauterbrunnen (seems to be about 4 train changes). Since we will be in Switzerland and Italy for 2 weeks we are already planning to purchase the Swiss Travel Pass and a Global Pass thru Eurail (first week in Switzerland, 2nd week in Italy). So given that we thought we could save money flying into Milan since it’s a little cheaper, but the train route is longer and several more changes. Trying to determine if it’s worth the savings and the ease in which to haul our luggage for all the train changes. And if we should utilize the separate luggage transit so we don’t have to move it ourselves and the safety of doing so with peace of mind that it will arrive at our destination.
A bonus would be a scenic route, so welcome recommendations if we are taking the long route from Milan to be able to enjoy the journey. Navigating the journey from Milan seems to be more work (do you catch a train at the Milan airport to start?). As I’ve tried to map the trains it’s sometimes hard to know when it doesn’t say the starting point is the Milan Malpensa Airport.
As for our itinerary, we are planning to spend the first couple of days in Lauterbrunnen, then 5 days in Lugano, then traveling around Italy 5 days.
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Coincidentally, I will vacation in Switzerland in June too, will fly to Milano and will train to Lugano, then take the bus followed by the Bernina Express train to St Mortiz, then the Glacier Express to Visp, then Lochsberg to Spiez which is a short connection away from Interlaken: 2 full time travel days + plenty of sightseeing time in Varese/Ticino/Lake Como region.
If this is too much time/too many connections for you, you may want to consider Milano to Lugano (probably 1 connection necesarry, I think), Gotthard Panorama Train to Luzern and the first leg of GoldenPass to Interlaken: 3 or 4 connections, fabulous scenery and experience.
If I were in your shoes I would choose Milano in a heartbeat even if means 20 connections. But that’s me.
Hi Roku,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
Thanks for your sharing your plans. I understand. I guess, if you are wanting to experience some of the scenic train journeys it could make sense to fly into Milan and connect up with some of the scenic routes. I think you may have to key in just “Malpensa” on your timetable search to receive the results you are looking for? I did a quick search and there are indeed trains from Malpensa to Switzerland.
Travel2Live’s (thank you) provided you with some great scenic train journey suggestions. Here are some useful links, detailing the routes, pricing, reservations etc.
- https://www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress
- https://www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress
- https://www.myswissalps.com/gotthardpanoramaexpress
- https://www.myswissalps.com/goldenpass
For luggage services, here is a link explaining how to transfer luggage within Switzerland. As a heads up, you would need to hand in your luggage before 7pm, you would receive your luggage two days later, around 9 or 10am: https://www.myswissalps.com/train/practical/luggage
Have a look at the Swiss Travel Pass coverage map, perhaps this will help? All routes mentioned are covered with this pass. (If reservations are required, you will need to pay for this).
It’s very personal trying to decide which route to take, both have pros and cons. Travel2Live has kindly given you his thoughts. The scenic train journeys are very special, you will witness and enjoy some stunning views. The other side as you have already described, longer journey time, changes, luggage. Perhaps have a chat with your fellow traveller(s) and see?
Good luck with deciding.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
In my opinion, flying into Milan to start a trip in the part of Switzerland north of the Alps is a false economy. Flying into Zurich allows you to immediately benefit from the efficiency of Switzerland and get on a train at Zurich airport railway station which is within the terminal area, taking as little as 20 minutes from plane to train
What a co-incidence. We too are saving a ton by flying into Milan.
Our travel plan next week has a similar route.
Checkout our anti-clockwise itinerary map in attachment.
Landing in Milan avoids return journey of 5-6 hours on the Bernina express. While Golden Pass journey of 2 hours is repeated as our base is Lucerne.
Alternatively you can take Glacier express in direction of Zermatt and then proceed to Interlaken. Then follow Golden Pass line to Lucerne to return back to Milan by Gothard Panorama.
This route is totally a Carbon neutral trip as we try and avoid buses/taxis and try and save environment by using Electric public means of transport when in Europe.
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