Most scenic route from Varenna to Zermatt
A traveler is planning their journey from Varenna to Zermatt on June 25th and is seeking advice on alternative train routes that offer better scenery, avoiding a newer tunnel. They are traveling with half-fare cards and two kids who travel free, and they're looking for exact stops and train changes for their booking.
- Use the SBB website or mobile app to plan your journey and check fares accurately.
- Consider routes via Domodossola or Lugano for scenic views and avoid the Gotthard Base Tunnel if you want a more picturesque trip.
- Traveling through the Bernina Express and Glacier Express routes offers stunning landscapes and may be worth the longer travel time.
- Make sure to check train schedules for the most efficient connections, especially if you're traveling with kids.
AI-generated summary-
Hi- we’ll be traveling from Varenna on June 25th through Milan to Zermatt and I read somewhere that we should do a route that’s a little longer but doesn’t use a newer tunnel that cuts out all of the beautiful scenery? If this is correct and it’s a prettier route, we don’t mind a little extra time on the train and would love some advice on the exact stops/ train changes so we book the correct tickets. We’re traveling with half fare cards and two kids who travel free with us via our cards. Thanks so much for your expertise.
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Read http://www.myswissalps.com/tr aintickets/italy for starters.
Use the timetable on the SBB website (bit.ly/2HH1U7B) or the highly-recommended SBB Mobile app (bit.ly/2ICIUHi) to plan your travel, find fares* and buy tickets if required. If you are not familiar with using the timetable it will pay to first read the instructions on this page – http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable. *SBB website shows half-fare prices by default, mobile app allows you to nominate full or half-fare and is also smart enough to offer you the Saver Day Pass (http://www.myswissalps.com/sa verdaypass) if that offers the best fare.
From Milan you can go:
- via Domodossola
- via Lugano and Locarno and Domodossola
- via Lugano, Göschenen and Andermatt (perhaps that’s the long, 57km Gotthard Base, tunnel avoidance route you mention?)
Or skip Milan and go Varenna, Tirano, St Moritz, Zermatt and follow both the Bernina Express and Glacier Express routes for peak scenery. Depends how long you have.
” I read somewhere that we should do a route that’s a little longer but doesn’t use a newer tunnel that cuts out all of the beautiful scenery? “
This is a reference to the Gotthard route, the centuries old transit route from Milano to northern Europe via northern Switzerland. The old 19th century railway was supplanted by the Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT) which was opened in 2016 and which cuts 1 hour off Milan – Northern Switzerland train journey time.
However, note that it is a myth that the GBT eliminates all the nice scenery from the Milano – Northern Switzerland journey. In fact only 60km out of the 180km route between Chiasso and the Lake Luzern area is ‘lost’ if you go through the GBT, and you still see plenty of mountains, lakes and Alpine farmland
Thanks so much- so in your opinion, is is better to go the faster route as you don’t lose enough scenery to add on the the travel time or complexity of more train changes? We’ll be in Zermatt for 3 nights, Lauterbrunnen for 5 nights so I know we’ll see so much beauty in those areas too.,
If you are in a hurry the fastest route is via Milan not the Gotthard route. See attached.
Next fastest is via Locarno (though more changes) and slowest is via Andermatt even if you do the big tunnel. Even longer if you don’t. Check the timetable.
Attachments:
Hello Bjcm12,
I see you’ve received lots of helpful input about the route, nice!
For input about the bases you mention for your trip use below links:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ze rmatt
– http://www.myswissalps.com/la uterbrunnenHappy journey, we’re here for further support.
Best,
Steph
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