72625 posts
Hi bagsarepacke and welcome to MySwissAlps!
Yes, the boats will be running next April, though I don’t believe the schedule has been released yet. You can read more about Lake Zurich boat trips and links to the official website here: http://www.myswissalps.com/bo atlakezurich
I haven’t heard of a Swiss Card before….There is a Zurich Card, a Swiss Pass (residents only) and a Swiss Travel Pass – do you think you mean on of those?
Read more below:
15471 posts
Hi Bagsarepacke,
The Swiss Card actually was a product years ago. It does not exist anymore though. For up to date rail pass information, please see here: http://www.myswissalps.com/tr ain/ticketspasses.
I’d recommend to consider taking the train to Firenze (Florence). It takes less than 6 hours and is more comfortable and scenic than a flight, and eco-friendlier as well. You’d have two options:
- Take the boat/train combination “Gotthard Panorama Express” to Lugano for the maximum amount of scenery. Switch to Milan there, and then to Firenze. http://www.myswissalps.com/go tthardpanoramaexpress
- Take the quickest trains, with only one change in Milan. Less alpine scenery than the first option but still quite a nice ride.
If you’d opt for the Swiss Travel Pass that Lucas mentioned, the trip to the Swiss border would be free. You would only need a ticket from the border to Firenze. Those tickets can be purchase from only €20, if purchased well in advance: http://www.myswissalps.com/tr aintickets/italy/price.
72625 posts
Thank you so much for your helpful replies and links. I must have read an older article about the Swiss Card. I’m sure I will be posting more questions as they come up. I have been to Lucerne and surrounding areas in Switzerland but the person I’m going with has not. Our plan now is to take the Bernina Express train from Zurich to Tirano. Then the Bernina Express bus to Lugano. Then the train to Milan. We need to go to Cuggiono for a few hours and then to Florence. I will read all of your recommendation links and thanks again.
72625 posts
The Bernina Express runs from Chur to Tirano – so you’ll take a regular train from Zurich to Chur first.
Timetables here: http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable
Reservations for the Bernina Express train and bus are mandatory: http://www.myswissalps.com/be rninaexpress/packages (but you are a bit early to make them yet).