Zermatt to Como with Swiss Travel Pass
A traveler is planning a trip to Como after spending a few days in Zermatt. They purchased a 4-day Swiss Travel Pass and want to know if they can use it on their last day to travel to Como, as well as the best route to take. They are looking for advice on ticketing and train options to maximize their use of the pass.
- The Swiss Travel Pass covers travel to Domodossola, so an additional ticket is needed from there to Como.
- The transfer time at Visp is sufficient, and short transfers are common in the Swiss rail system.
- Check the timetable for various route options; you can travel to Chiasso without changing trains if you have your Swiss Travel Pass and additional ticket ready.
AI-generated summary-
Hello All,
My husband and I are heading to Como after a few days in Zermatt. We purchased the 4-day Swiss Travel Pass as it’s currently on promo. However, I’m wondering if we would be able to use it on our last day in Zermatt to travel to Como. Based on the map, it appears feasible, but I’m unsure if this is the best route given we will already have our pass, or if we should purchase separate tickets. Has anyone done this? What was your experience?
Appreciate any info or guidance. Thank you!
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Your STP is valid as far as Domodossola where the Swiss rail network ends.You need a ticket from there. If you want to use a Eurocity train, you must have a ticket from Domodossola to Como including a seat reservation. Latter is not required if you take a regional train.
Hi 3leggeddog, welcome to MySwissAlps!
That’s right, the Swiss Travel Pass covers your trip as far as Domodossola. You can download the validity map here: https://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity.
As Trainliner explained, you’ll need an additional ticket from Domodossola to Como. Information about this can be found at https://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/italy and https://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/italy/price.
The timetable shows whether or not you need a reservation for your specific connection. The symbols are explained “Seat reservations” at https://www.myswissalps.com/timetable.
Thank you both for your response. This is helpful. In looking at the schedule, my worry is the 4 minute transfer at Visp? Should I be concerned that I need to quickly change platforms? I suspect the train schedule would not be this way if it were a major issue.
Just to confirm, I cannot use my STP to go all the way to Chiasso and transfer there? I’m not sure if I’m reading the validity map wrong.
Time is of the essence, so we would like to use as many high speed trains as possible.
Thank you!
I am surprised no-one has mentioned yet anything other than going to Domodossola and buying an Italian ticket.
If you are asking what I think you are asking then, yes, you can get nearly all the way to Como (ie Chiasso) via Switzerland or on lines valid with the STP.
If you have sufficient time, there are at least three ways to do it
1 Zermatt – Visp – Bern – Luzern – Gotthard – Chiasso
2 Zermatt – Visp – Domodossola – Centovalli – Locarno – Bellinzona – Lugano – Chiasso
3. Zermatt – Brig – Andermatt – Goeschenen – Gotthard – Bellinzona – Chiasso
4. Zermatt – Visp – Zurich – Chiasso
Simply takes ages… hours on trains, time which tourists usually don’t have…
There are direct trains from Locarno to Como.
Fastest connection completely via STP valid area is only 1.5 hours longer than the fastest journey via Domodossola and northern Italy. Someone wanting to keep within the STP free area is very likely to consider that the extra time traveling is worth to stay on a completely ‘free’ route.
Hi again!
No worries about the change in Visp. 4 minutes are enough. The Swiss timetable is very efficient, and short (but doable) transfer times are part of that: https://www.myswissalps.com/timetable.
You are interpeting the Swiss Travel Pass validity map (https://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity) correctly. Traveling up to Chiasso is for free with the pass, and you’d have a shorter segment not-covered for which you’d need an additional ticket. But as mentioned above, the journey takes longer. You’ll find all options, both via Domodossola as well as via Chiasso, in the timetable.
If you travel via Chiasso, note that you don’t have to change trains there. The validity areas of passes or tickets don’t determine that. You can just stay seated. Show your Swiss Travel Pass if asked for up to Chiasso, and your additional ticket between Chiasso and Como. The same goes for traveling via Domodossola: no need to change there. Maybe the section “Traveling beyond the area covered by the pass” at http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/howtouse is helpful.
Thank you all for this helpful information.
Our goal is to get to Como quickly and utilize our STP as much as possible. Based on the timetable, looks like there Is a morning train which is:
Zermatt – Visp – Brig – Milano – Como
With this itinerary the Brig to Milano leg is via Euro City. If I’m understanding this correctly, I will use STP for Zermatt – Visp – Brig, during my transfer, I will pre purchase a Euro City train ticket for Brig – Milano and so forth.
I appreciate everyone’s help and feedback! We’re looking forward to our trip!
Hi 3leggeddog,
That is a viable option. You can find travel and ticket information to Italy here: myswissalps.com/traintickets/italy
regards,
Anna
Hi 3leggeddog!
You don’t have to buy a ticket Brig-Milano. The Swiss Travel Pass covers part of this stretch, up to Domodossola. So paying for the leg Brig-Domodossola would be a waste of your money. What you need is a ticket Domodossola-Milano-Como. And you’ll usually need a seat reservation for the Italian portion of the EC. You can arrange for your ticket and reservation at the spot on a Swiss rail station, or online in advance. The page Anna linked to provides more details.
Does this help you out?
OHHH, I see. This makes more sense. So I would just stay on the train and just buy a separate ticket for the Domodossola-Milano-Como leg. I was confused since we would be hopping on at Brig.
Understood now and I will modify my tickets.
Thanks!!
I must return you to my earlier suggestion.
You route is more expensive than it needs to be, and not very much faster. Going via Milano is going south to come back north again.
You can travel via the Centovalli and get all the way to Chiasso free using the STP
Good to know it’s all clear now! Enjoy your preparations and let us know if you have further questions, we’re happy to help.
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