Ski trip Geneva-Chamonix-Zermatt-St.Moritz-Rome: doable + rail passes?
A traveler is planning a ski trip at the end of February, landing in Geneva and traveling to Chamonix, Zermatt, and St. Moritz, staying three days in each location to ski and sightsee. They want to know if it’s better to get train passes or individual day passes for their itinerary, which ends with a train to Rome, Italy.
- Consider purchasing a global Eurail Pass if you are outside Europe, or an Interrail Pass if you are inside Europe for your multi-country journey.
- Check the train schedules for your route, as some connections require changes at various stations.
- Make sure to reserve seats for the Glacier Express and Bernina Express, as they can sell out quickly and ski equipment transportation may need special arrangements.
AI-generated summary-
planning a Ski trip at the end of February. Land in Geneva take a train to Charmonix, France then take a train to Zermatt, then a train to St Moritz. plan to stay 3 days in each to ski and sight see. We want to end by taking the train from St Mortiz to Rome Italy. Would it be best to get train passes or by individual day passes. And is this a doable trip?
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Hello Trip1
Welcome to MySwissAlps
Your planned Itinerary is demanding but doable.
Your trip involves train travel in THREE countries. If you reside OUTSIDE EUROPE, get a global EURAIL PASS. If you reside within Europe get a global INTERRAIL.
On landing at Geneva Airport get any train to the city centre station. From there get the RL3 train which runs every two hours to St Gervais-les-Bains. You change there for Chamonix.
https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/tickets/international/
From Chamonix to Zermatt, you change at Vallorcine, Martigny and Visp. The service is hourly.
From Zermatt to St Moritz you could use the through Glacier Express. But that will mean paying a very high supplement for your reservations and (I believe) skis are not allowed on this luxury train. There are frequent (at least hourly) services going via Visp, Bern, Zurich and Chur, but there will be at least three changes of train.
https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/glacier-express/
From St Moritz take a Bernina line train to Tirano. From there take an Italian regional train to Milan Centrale. From Milan take an Italian high speed train Rome. (Reservation required.)
https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/bernina-express/
Best wishes for your detailed planning.
Roger
Hi trip1,
I agree with Roger, as you are planning to travel to 3 countries, it may make sense to opt with either the Eurail Global Pass or the Interrail Pass.
Take a look at the first link that Roger has provided and once you have ascertained which pass is appropriate. Download the coverage map and cross reference with your plans.
Should you wish to be extra sure of the best rail pass / tickets for your trip. You are best to carry out the maths. We have a guide to help you out. There is also a downloadable spreadsheet you can use. Thereon, based on your daily activities, the best rail pass is displayed.
Here’s the link:
If you are envisaging taking either or both the Glacier Express and Bernina Express trains, note, there are compulsory seat reservations you will need to purchase. These are independent of the rail pass or tickets. I’d purchase these soon, as they can sell out. All information in the links provided in Roger’s reply. However, as mentioned, if you are coming with your own ski equipment, you will need to make arrangements for these to be transported separately as oversized, bulky items can not be taken onto these particular trains, as space is limited.
More on luggage transportation in Switzerland here:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
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