Lugano to Geneva by train in May

  • RoddyLee1
    Participant
    19 posts
    20 June 2021 at 0:09:35 #825863

    Hello All,

    We are coming to Lake Como May 2022 for a wedding. After the wedding we would like to do this train itinerary.

    Bernina Express Lugano to Chur- walk around a bit then Zurich

    Zurich to Bern

    Interlaken

    Jungfraujoch

    Zermatt

    Geneva

    (Eurail Global Pass for all travel)

    Any ideas how to improve, how long to stay, where to stay etc would be greatly appreciated!

    Robin

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    Annika
    Moderator
    7104 posts
    20 June 2021 at 10:16:49 #935261

    Hi Robin, welcome to MySwissAlps!

    That’s a very nice itinerary, allowing you to see a lot of Switzerland. How long do you have available for the entire trip? Without knowing, it’s hard to advise how long to stay in each base town. I can provide some general tips though:

    Your Eurail Pass will provide free travel on most train transfers, but not all. Especially the region south of Interlaken is worth noticing. You can check validity here: http://www.myswissalps.com/eurailglobalpass/validity.

    Does this get you started?

    RoddyLee1
    Participant
    19 posts
    20 June 2021 at 14:56:00 #935262

    Good Morning Annika,

    Thank you for your prompt reply!

    As for the time we can stay, I am hoping that we can do the best of the best in 5 nights, Counting Zurich as the first night.

    Should be go directly from Chur to Lucerne and by-pass Zurich?

    If you advise Swiss Rail that’s fine. For me Eurail has seemed so much easier to navigate.

    Grateful for your help 🙂

    Robin

    RoddyLee1
    Participant
    19 posts
    20 June 2021 at 15:03:11 #935263

    Hello again

    One more thought.

    Instead of Interlaken should we stay in Wengen or?

    Thanks!

    Anna
    Moderator
    6279 posts
    21 June 2021 at 13:33:51 #935264

    Hi RoddyLee1,

    Wengen would be my choice if you’re planning a trip to the Jungfraujoch.

    But Interlaken would be more convenient as a base for day trips to Zermatt and Geneva.

    Have you decided on staying in 1 base or more?

    Regards,

    Anna

    RoddyLee1
    Participant
    19 posts
    21 June 2021 at 14:45:04 #935265

    Good Morning Anna,

    Wengen seems magical to us. Yes we are going to the Jungfraujoch. Yet we still want to be efficient. In my earlier reply to Annika i had a question.

    “As for the time we can stay, I am hoping that we can do the best of the best in 5 nights, Counting Zurich as the first night.

    Should be go directly from Chur to Lucerne and by-pass Zurich?”

    Additionally Is Zermatt the Best of the Best?

    Geneva is our final stop as we are flying out of there.

    As for a base camp- Should be do 2?

    Thanks again for your knowledge and Patience!

    Robin

    Anna
    Moderator
    6279 posts
    21 June 2021 at 20:05:43 #935266

    Hi Robin,

    If you are planning to spend the night in Zurich, it probably makes sense to travel Lugano – Chur – Zurich. This way you’ll have some time to stretch your legs after a long train ride and explore the city a little. Lucerne is about 45 minutes from Zurich and could be done as a side trip enroute to Interlaken the next day. If you choose Interlaken (http://www.myswissalps.com/interlaken) as your base for the rest of your trip, you could easily plan day trips to Wengen (http://www.myswissalps.com/wengen) (Jungfraujoch), Bern (http://www.myswissalps.com/bern) and Zermatt (http://www.myswissalps.com/zermatt). If you have an early flight to catch in Geneva, ideally you should spend the final night in Geneva (http://www.myswissalps.com/geneva) to be safe.

    I hope this gives you some ideas how you can plan your trip. Please use the SBB timetable to plan your journeys.

    Let us know if you need more information.

    Regards,

    Anna

    RoddyLee1
    Participant
    19 posts
    21 June 2021 at 22:11:31 #935267

    Dear Anna,

    Outstanding!! That is A great Plan!

    One final question.

    Should I get a Eurail Global Pass or Swiss Pass?

    Anna
    Moderator
    6279 posts
    22 June 2021 at 5:50:42 #935268

    Hi RoddyLee1,

    Are you planning to travel to a few countries in Europe or just Switzerland? The Eurail Global Pass is ideal for multiple countries: http://www.myswissalps.com/eurailglobalpass. But if you’re just looking at going around in Switzerland, the Swiss Travel Pass offers the best flexibility: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass

    Regards,

    Anna

    RoddyLee1
    Participant
    19 posts
    22 June 2021 at 20:13:26 #935269

    Hello Anna,

    We fly into Milan train to Como for wedding.

    Bus to Lugano for Bernina express

    Perhaps i do not need Eurail Global.

    Just the Swiss Flex?

    Robin

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    23 June 2021 at 7:54:56 #935270

    Hi Robin,

    yes, probably you do not need the Eurail Global Pass (http://www.myswissalps.com/eurailglobalpass). The Swiss Travel Pass (http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass) or Swiss Travel Pass Flex (http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpassflex) might be better for you.

    I recommend using our calculation spreadsheet, you’ll find it here: http://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/chooserailpass. It will help you to calculate the costs and you’ll see which pass is the better option for you.

    Let me know if you need any help with it.

    Ildiko

    Ps.: This might also useful for you as you are coming from Italy: http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/italy

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