6355 posts
Hi Sweyne,
The Gotthard Base Tunnel is expected to remain partially closed until early 2024, possibly until April. Unfortunately this means you will be directed to an alternative route for your journey from Milan to Lauterbrunnen. Also, I believe there might be construction along the Milan-Domodossola route causing disruptions to direct EC train connections from Milan to Switzerland.
You can find practical information about travel from Italy to Switzerland here: http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/italy
Regards,
Anna
57 posts
Thank you Anna, but I am so confused. We are flying into Roma 19 April and wanted to take a train to Switzerland on 24/25 April. On the sBB timetable journeys to Lauterbrunnen from Roma are taking 20 hours! And if I went from Venezia goes via Austria and again takes hours. Our flights are into Roma and out of Zurich. Sadly we cannot change this. Do you know of a quick easy way to get from Italy to Switzerland in April? We were hoping to go via Domodossola and then use the Berner Oberland Pass. I’m beginning to think I’ll have to cancel and lose the cost of the flights for 3 people from Thailand.
2333 posts
Hi Sweyne,
April is still a few months away. The situation with the Gotthard Base Tunnel, which is why you are seeing such a lengthy train journey when researching, should change in the coming months (for the better).
I’d keep yourself updated with any additional developments via our link below and of course the SBB timetable. (Information and journeys should be more accurate for your April travel early next year as the restoration of the tunnel continues. This is in comparison to what you are researching and seeing right now for the same dates – I hope that makes sense).
With the construction works via Domodossola, it could be best to take an alternate route. Perhaps you could split up your journey as an option? For example: Rome-Milan, Milan-Lucerne, and then Lucerne-Lauterbrunnen? This could be much easier for you, than traveling the entire journey in the one trip.
If you choose this, your Berner Oberland Pass would be active once reaching Lucerne. You’d only need your Italy tickets then once in Switzerland, you could find a Supersaver ticket for Chiasso to Lucerne or alternatively a Saver Day Pass could be available for your chosen date which would cover all your Swiss travel to Lauterbrunnen (in other words Chiasso to Lauterbrunnen).
More details on both here:
Supersaver ticket: https://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/switzerland
Saver Day Pass: https://www.myswissalps.com/saverdaypass
I hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
40 posts
The Milan to Lauterbrunnen via Domodossola route does not use the Gotthard Base Tunnel …
The reason for the missing connections for Milan to Lauterbrunnen via Domodossola is simple: the annual timetable change happening on 9 DEC 2023. The new timetable for international trains is not yet fully available, which is totally normal and resulting in ambigous information. The Italian railways guys are never fast in putting them online, therefore you should try again from mid of November.
2333 posts
Hi RolandP,
Many thanks for clarifying the timetable situation in regard to the Milan-Lauterbrunnen via Domodossola journey. Most helpful.
Yes, I am aware the Gotthard Base Tunnel is not apart of this route. Here, I was addressing a question that the member was asking as to why her initial findings were directing her via Austria were taking so long – which may involve travel via the Gotthard Base Tunnel.
Thanks again for your contribution.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
57 posts
Hi Yolanda thank you very much for the advice. The Milano – Lucerne should make our trip easier.
57 posts
Wise words on the timetables. Will check again next month.