Swiss Post auto bus trip report and a little Italy
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A few years ago, a gentleman whom travelled a significant amount of time in Switzerland and gave his advice freely (most quite valuable) reviewed the several Swiss Post Auto Bus routes. Having travelled to Switzerland myself several times for business and pleasure, I was quite intrigued. I was well aware of the excellent transportation system in Switzerland, having extensively used trains and rental cars. I had travelled a few of the mountain passes via bus but I wanted to explore a bit more.
Now, I like trains and I caution you that my travel plans are not for everyone. In fact my wife refused to take this journey with me, primarily as I changed hotels almost every night (does not bother me.) At last count, I used 54 trains and busses within 17 days. Yes, I saw the inside of a lot of train stations, rail cars and hotels. However, please remember that western Europe travel is my hobby and passion.
I will not spend a lot of time on my observation of cities or hotel reviews as many others have covered that much better that I ever could. This trip report will focus on the bus rides that I highly recommend to others. A caution, many of the mountain passes are closed during the winter and thus the trip cannot be made. However, I scheduled my visit during late September/early October to catch the color turning of the leaves.
Sept 22. Flew into Milan via JFK
Sept 23. Arrived Milan, trains to Bressanone, Italy via Milano Centrale and Verona, stayed Bressanone
Sept. 24 Trains/Bus to Zernez, Switzerland via Dobbiaco and Merano (Backtracked quite a bit today but scenery wonderful), Stayed Zernez
Sept. 25 Buses/Trains to Filisur via Mals, Martina cunfin, Scuol Tarasp and Susch. (Highly recommend this bus trip), stayed Filisur
Sept. 26 Trains to Zurich (Cancelled Alp Grum due to rain), stayed Filisur
Sept. 27 Train/Bus Filisur to Tiefencastel to St. Moritz, to Andermatt (Post Bus Tiefencastel to St. Moritz very scenic), stayed Andermatt
Sept. 28 Train Furka Steam Railroad (trip highlight Realp to Oberwald) Trains to St Gallen, stayed St. Gallen
Sept. 29 Trains (Ebenalp visit including cable car), stayed Stein Am Rhein
Sept. 30 Trains to Schaffhausen (Falls) stayed Solothurn
Oct. 1 Trains to La Chaux de Fonds, Murten to Fribourg, stayed Fribourg
Oct. 2 Trains to Langnau to Aareschlucht (Rhein Gorge) to Thun, stayed Thun
Oct. 3 Trains to Visp via Kandersteg, stayed Visp
Oct. 4 Busses to Arolla and return, Funicular to Montana, stayed Visp (Bus scenery wonderful)
Oct. 5. Busses to Saas Fee, Domodossola, Train to Locarno, stayed Locarno. (Bus over Simplon Pass spectacular, Centavalli Railway wonderful) stayed Locarno
Oct. 6 Busses Valle Verzasco, Train to Verdasio, Cable Car to Rasa, stayed Locarno. (Valle Verzasco beautiful, Sonogno festival wonderful)
Oct. 7 Train to Lugano, Funicular to Monta Bre, stayed Lugano
Oct. 8 Train to Zurich and return via Airolo (very scenic) stayed Lugano
Oct. 9 Train to Malpensa and home
I stayed away from travel by train via tunnels as much as possible.
The bus drivers amaze me with their ability.
Trains and busses were prompt and on time.
Connections, train to bus and vice versa were very smooth, all intersect at train stations.
I chose hotels close to rail stations as much as possible.
Scenery, especially leaf color was wonderful.
Reservations were not possible on the bus routes I chose, however, some do require reservations.
I used Fodors, MySwissAlps and Trip Advisor websites for planning.
I purchased a Swiss Travel Pass due to large number of trains and due to close connections and time involved, I did not want to buy tickets for each train.
I pre purchased rail tickets for Italy. The Swiss pass covered all other travel.
I carried a back pack for ease of travel. It passed for carrying on board the flights. (8 kg. max).
Completed my own designed Great Train Circle of Switzerland.
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