[Theresa_bloc]

27 July 2021 at 12:20:13 #825974

Hello,

If we want to travel to Lugano and Locarno we would need to change trains in Domodossola and Trento, which is in Italy. Is there border control at these stations? I’m asking because for non EU visitors we would require a different visa if passing through Italy.

Thanks

Theresa

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[Anna]

27 July 2021 at 12:48:49 #935885

Hi Theresa,

There should be no issue if you have a Schengen visa, which allows short stay and free movement in EU countries (including Switzerland). In any case you should check with the respective embassy in your country of origin. Please find all details at http://www.myswissalps.com/visa.

You can check tickets from Italy to Switzerland here: http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/italy

Regards,

Anna

[pkerr]

27 July 2021 at 20:24:14 #935886

I’m no expert on European travel but a few years ago when we traveled from Germany to Austria to Switzerland to Italy via train, we never had to show our passport once. (I’m from the US)

[Xpresso]

28 July 2021 at 3:04:43 #935887

We are in Switzerland now and had the same question but my concern is if they will accept our US CDC vaccine card since we don’t have the EU vaccine card (I’m not concerned about crossing otherwise because of the Schengen Agreement). I asked a SBB agent on the train about it yesterday and I told her it’s an hour shorter to go from Zermatt to Locarno through Domodosolla rather than going through Andermatt (which is an alternative route through only Switzerland). She said there shouldn’t be any border control for a transfer through Domodosolla. I won’t make that portion of the trip until next week and I do plan to ask at the Zermatt train station again. I’ll update if I find anything out.

[Annika]

28 July 2021 at 6:34:20 #935888

Hi all,

Apart from regular visa requirements, there can be COVID-checks at Italian border stations when entering Italy. This may cause some delay. Please refer to the link with information about international traveling by the SBB under “7. What’s the current coronavirus situation in Switzerland?” at https://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/does-the-corona-virus-affect-trips-to-switzerland.

@Xpresso: thank you for sharing your updates! The SBB employee might indeed have the most recent information about checks in Domodossola. Let’s hope you’ll get the same message in Zermatt. It would be great if you can keep us posted. As far as I can see now, Italy does accept US travelers: https://www.esteri.it. I agree with Anna that it’s always wise to check with the embassy to make sure. There’s also an e-mail address for questions regarding Italian entry requirements mentioned at app.euplf.eu.

By the way: the route Zermatt-Locarno via Andermatt is beautiful. It might be longer than via Domodossola, but definitely worth the time (and possibly the lack of hassle by not crossing the border). You’ll be experiencing parts of the both the Glacier Express as well as the Gotthard Panorama Express routes:

• http://www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress/gettingthere
• http://www.myswissalps.com/gotthardpanoramaexpress/gettingthere

[Theresa_bloc]

28 July 2021 at 8:38:59 #935889

Hi,

Thank you, I’m glad to hear that you can travel freely between countries in the EU, it just means that I would need to get a multi entry visa ( even if I am just changing trains in Italy) instead of a single entry visa if just travelling to Switzerland.

But, I like the idea of travelling via Andermatt to avoid entering Italy. I will be travelling from Zurich to Locarno, would I be able to take a route via Andermatt?

Thanks

[Removed user]

28 July 2021 at 9:03:50 #935890

Hi Theresa,

yes, if you are traveling to Locarno from Zürich via Andermatt you do not need to cross Italy. You’ll find the timetable at http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable, use the SBB timetable (advanced one). I also recommend this route, as the Gotthard Panorama Express and the Glacier Express are truly wonderful.

Are you going to have a rail pass? Here you can read about them: http://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses.

Take care,

Ildiko

[Xpresso]

28 July 2021 at 9:21:47 #935891

“By the way: the route Zermatt-Locarno via Andermatt is beautiful. It might be longer than via Domodossola, but definitely worth the time.”

Funny you should say that because the SBB agent told me the exact same thing:)

[Danielsan]

28 July 2021 at 21:36:31 #935892

Hi Theresa bloc,

If you are traveling to Locarno from Zurich, may I suggest you go through Lucerne. Either the Gotthard Panoramic Express, or just local lines. The boat from Lucerne, (departing from right outside the train station) is a three hour ride to Fluelen and just beautiful. At Fluelen, you can either catch the Gotthard Express, or local lines down to Bellinzona. There are quite a few routes do do this. Some through tunnels, some without tunnels and therefore more scenic. Most of which will pass through Andermatt. Once in Bellinzona, its a short ride into Locarno. The whole trip, (Lucerne to Locarno) depending on route/tunnels, etc., will take in the vicinity of five and a half hours. I only make this suggestion because the boat trip itself is truly wonderful. Stopping at many Swiss villages along the way, its a scenic, and a peaceful ride on the lake surrounded by mountains. If you get the 10:00 boat departure, it will put you in Fluelen for the 13:00 departure on the Gotthard Express, which will be waiting there. Otherwise just take local trains to Fluelen. I hope this gives you some help in some way or something to think about. I hope you don’t have any kind of visa problems. Have fun on your trip.

Danielsan

[Removed user]

29 July 2021 at 6:07:01 #935893

Hi Theresa,

Danielsan’s advice is great, the Gotthard Panorama Express is a good idea, here you can read more about the route: http://www.myswissalps.com/gotthardpanoramaexpress/gettingthere

Also you can read about the difference between the local lines and the Gotthard Panorama Express at http://www.myswissalps.com/gotthardpanoramaexpress.

Ildiko

[pkerr]

29 July 2021 at 12:52:39 #935894

Sorry for what might be a dumb question but I’m a bit confused about the visa question? Over the last few years when we traveled about Europe (Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany) we never needed a visa. Is this something new?

Thanks

[Removed user]

29 July 2021 at 14:12:52 #935895

Hi Pkerr,

You can check the latest updates here:

• State Secretariat for Migration: information about entries, stays and visas at sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/aktuell/aktuell/faq-einreiseverweigerung.html

• http://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/usa/en/home/visa/entry-ch.html

I hope you’ll find some useful information there,

Ildiko