[Sewchek]

31 January 2023 at 18:51:12 #828992

Hi

We are certain we will need to get a Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card for our holiday in Switzerland. Our itinerary planning is still in progress and we are looking at different options.

We can’t work out how to proceed with our travel from Milan Centrale to Zermatt. We know the STP or the Swiss Half Fare Card does not cover Milan to the border. How do we purchase train tickets for this portion of the train journey with the passes … 😀

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[Anna]

Reply 1 of 11 • 31 January 2023 at 19:55:25 #950420

Hi Sewcheck,

If you are travelling to Zermatt from Milan, the usual route would be via the border town of Domodossola. The Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card are valid from Domodossola to Zermatt. With a Swiss Travel Pass, you don’t need tickets at all. With a Swiss Half Fare Card, you can purchase the discounted tickets from the train station or online: http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/switzerlandhalffare/price

You would need a ticket to cover the journey from Milan to Domodossola. You can find ticket options here: http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/italy

regards.

Anna

[Sewchek]

Reply 2 of 11 • 31 January 2023 at 21:12:26 #950421

Thanks for your reply.

Am I right to assume that from Domodossola , there is a change in train to go from Domodossola to Zermatt ?

[User]

Reply 3 of 11 • 31 January 2023 at 23:55:48 #950422

Coming from Milano to Domodossola, you are most likely to be on a direct Eurocity train continuing through to Brig

The detail:

From Milano to Zermatt the railways are arranged thus:

Milano Centrale – Domodossola = Trenitalia (Italian state railways)

Domodossola – Brig (the legendary 19th century Simplon tunnel, for may years the longest tunnel in the world) = SBB Swiss Federal Railways

Brig – Visp Zermatt = metre gauge Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB) railway

Note that the MGB Brig – Visp lines runs alongside the main SBB Brig – Montreux railway line as far as Visp, so occasionally during the day you can travel on the same Eurocity train all the way from Milano Central to Visp.

[Sewchek]

Reply 4 of 11 • 1 February 2023 at 0:28:46 #950423

Hi,

so If I chose this train route timetable as an example , what do I do when I get to Domodossola , bearing in mind I have got a Swiss Travel Pass ? apologies for the all the questions… tryin* to understand how it all works .

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[User]

Reply 5 of 11 • 1 February 2023 at 7:56:20 #950424

Hi Sewchek,

You can stay on the train and continue your travel to your final destination, you do not have to do anything. If a controller arrives you show your Swiss Travel Pass.

Learn more about how to use your Swiss Travel Pass: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/howtouse

Ildiko

[User]

Reply 6 of 11 • 1 February 2023 at 12:14:09 #950425

If you take that train it is a slow local train terminating in Domodossola. You would have to wait until 11.58 to get a local train through the Simplon tunnel to Brig.

Better options for you would be:

• Eurocity train EC50, depart Milano Centrale 07.20 – and running direct through to Visp (arrive 09.25), where you would make one change onto the Zermatt train.
• train EC52, depart Milano 11.20, direct to Visp (arrive 13.25), change for Zermatt
• train EC32 departing Milano at 08.20, Brig arrive at 10.14, and change there into the Zermatt train

[User]

Reply 7 of 11 • 1 February 2023 at 12:16:31 #950426

Sewchek cannot stay on the train listed as RE2418 is a slow Italian local Trenord train terminating in Domodossola.

[Sewchek]

Reply 8 of 11 • 2 February 2023 at 3:07:12 #950427

Thanks …

[Sewchek]

Reply 9 of 11 • 2 February 2023 at 18:42:08 #950428

Just to clarify , with these 2 EC options and with the Swiss Travel Pass, we do not need to purchase any other tickets to get to the border ? We can just turn up at the station and get on either of these trains ?

Do we have to make reservations for our seats ?

thanks

[User]

Reply 10 of 11 • 3 February 2023 at 0:07:05 #950429

You must buy an Italian railway ticket as far as Domodossola, which is where Italian jurisdiction ends and Swiss jurisdiction starts. On EC trains the Italian authorities charge ‘market prices’ so you will have to pay the full rate. Prices currently start at Euros 25

[Anna]

Reply 11 of 11 • 3 February 2023 at 9:04:55 #950430

Hi SewCheck,

Just to reiterate, the Swiss Travel Pass is only valid in Switzerland. You need a ticket to get to Domodossola from Milan regardless which train you take. Once you pass the border, all you have to do is present the Swiss Travel Pass during ticket inspection.

You can purchase the ticket (Italy portion) online (http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/italy) or from the train station. If you choose EC trains, the prices usually include seat reservation.

Regards,

Anna