How to get from Interlaken to Menaggio

Old Mar 10th, 2005, 12:14 AM
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tig
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How to get from Interlaken to Menaggio

We are a family of 4 travelling on Swiss Passes (2 adults,2 youth) in 1 day from Interlaken Switzerland to Varenna Italy on Lake Como. Can get trains leaving 9.20 a.m. Interlaken-Spiez-Domodossola, then on the scenic Centovalli train at 12.05 to Locarno (arr.13.47).
1) I believe we cannot book, so how easy will it be for 4 of us to get on each of the trains, especially the Centovalli train in the middle of July (2nd class)& also considering our train from Spiez only gives us 15 mins to get on the Centovalli train?
2) What is the best way to get to Menaggio once we get to Locarno? The Centovalli train (FART!)gets us to Locarno (not clear if it goes on to Bellinzona?). Would it be better to get to Como (via/changing at Bellinzona?)& get a hydrofoil to Varenna?(also,what does the hydrofoil cost?) OR would it be better to get the train from Locarno to Lugano (think we have to go via Giubiasco and change trains there) and then bus to Menaggio, then ferry to Varenna? (also,what does the ferry Menaggio-Varenna cost?)
3) Luggage: Anyone know if we can send it (1 sm/med case on wheels each) from Interlaken to Como and collect it next day?... what does it cost and is it safe to leave overnight at Como station if it hasnt arrived by the time we leave Como to go to Varenna (if we go that route)?
4) Is the bus stop for the Italian Lugano-Menaggio bus near the train station?
5) If &when we collect our luggage from the Como train station, will we manage to pull cases on wheels from the station to the ferry departure point?
Hope someone can help!! Can't get info on these details easily in Australia! Are we crazy to undertake so many train changes, etc in one day? We only have 2 nights in Switzerland in Interlaken, then 2 nights in Varenna and cannot change any dates. Only alternative is to drive and this would mean we go the easiest route Interlaken-Lucerne-Lugano (would have to drop the car in Lugano), missing the more scenic Centovalli pass and possibly finding we hit heavy traffic mid July, also the driver won't be able to relax and enjoy the scenery much, especially since we are not used to driving on the right side of the road as well!!
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Old Mar 10th, 2005, 03:24 AM
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Hi tig,

Sorry, can't give you specific advice about the routing you've chosen -- but I do wonder why you chose that route. The connection is much, much easier leaving Interlaken Ost 09.20 as you say, then connecting in Spiez & Milan to arrive in Varenna at 15.19. There would be no jumping trains/busses/ferries, etc. You can find train schedules at www.rail.ch. If you want to experience the Centovalli, why not make it a day-trip from Varenna? I've heard that it's a delight to take the train up and then cycle down -- would be a great day!

Anyway, I don't think it's possible to check your luggage through to Como. People used to be able to check luggage within Switzerland to arrive later the same day, but now it takes a FULL 48 hours. And, of course, that's only within Switzerland. Don't think you can do it from Switzerland to Italy.

s
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Old Mar 10th, 2005, 04:53 AM
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tig
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Thanks for your reply. Chose the route because scenery meant to be spectacular and we only have one and a half full days at lake como before heading down to Tuscany! The luggage could be a problem with so many train changes, so will try and find out about sending it to Como. Came across a toll free number to call Switzerland (on europeforvisitors website) so will try that and see what they say.
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Old Mar 10th, 2005, 05:01 AM
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Hi again,

Well, here's a link to the luggage service at the Swiss Rail website,

http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/reisemarkt/...ck-schweiz.htm


And here's a link to the Swiss Rail phone numbers (to augment the number you got at europeforvisitors) http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/reisezeit/r...it_kontakt.htm

s
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Old Mar 10th, 2005, 06:00 PM
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I'm not sure if it was the only stop, but we had to catch the Lugano-Menaggio bus quite a distance from the train station--about a 1/2 mile or so walk, near a bus terminal/ticket booth behind a large parking lot a couple of blocks from the lake. Check the bus schedules once you get there.

We took the Centovalli train from Domodossola in mid-July and had no trouble getting seats. Not exactly fancy, but pretty scenery and worth the extra time. You then catch a train to Bellinzona to catch another to Lugano/Como/Milan. I don't recall much of a difference in time between the Lugano-Menaggio bus and the Lugano-Como train, except the trains leave more frequently.

Menaggio to Varenna by boat shouldn't be too expensive--it isn't very far!

If you drive, the Hertz office in Lugano is a short walk downhill from the train station--you could drop the car off there and jump on the train to Milan and then to arenna.
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Old Mar 11th, 2005, 01:27 AM
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Thanks Taxatty... you say its pretty scenery, but don't sound enthralled by it..do you think the Centovalli is that spectacular that its worth doing this route & all the train changes it involves? Do you know any other route that may be more spectacular, such as going by train to Lucerne and to Fluelen on our Swiss Pass, then picking up the panorama train to Lugano or Locarno. I read somewhere that this route is the least exciting of the scenic routes so chose to do the Centovalli instead. Would appreciate comments from anyone who knows. Alternately, if we drive Interlaken-Lucerne-Lugano, does anyone know what the driving/traffic is like & would the scenery be best if we drove (not our preference as previously explained but maybe we are wrong). We've never been to Switzerland before and goodness knows if we will ever get back so want to make the best of our very short time there.
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Old Mar 11th, 2005, 02:35 AM
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Hi Again tig,

I've said this before -- you'll experience the best of Switzerland if you can actually get your FEET on the ground rather than seeing it from a train. If you want to "make the best of our very short time," I suggest you pick the quickest transport options and maximize your time on the ground. If you'll be in Luzern, spend time walking its shores or take ferries around to its villages or take excursions up to Pilatus or Rigi. If you want to see the Centovalli, stay in Locarno and spend the day on the Centovallii.

Switzerland is a place where nearly every corner will leave you oohing and aaaahing. You really can't go wrong. Pick a place and enjoy it!

s
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Old Mar 12th, 2005, 04:55 AM
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Hi, I might be too late, but I'd like to weigh in here. I have to concur that the centovalli train from Domodossola to Locarno (stops there, period) might have great scenery, but I found it to be a truly uncomfortable little train. There, I've said it. I would certainly follow S's advice via Spiez/Milano/Varenna, if that's your quickest route. Of course, if I were making my way south, I'd go via Lucerne and Lugano, because I love that particular stretch of rail, but it is a longer way to go. Isn't planning fun? J.
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Old Mar 12th, 2005, 05:58 AM
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Hi J-not too late...only go in July! thanx for useful comments - is the scenery not worth the discomfort of the Centovalli train? Definitely want to cover a scenic route to Lake Como (part of seeing Switzerland) so don't want to go Spiez-Milano-Varenna. Is spectacular scenery a reason for liking the Lucerne-Lugano route? Is this effectively the William Tell? If its more worthwhile scenically we could, I believe, get trains Interlaken-Lucerne-Fluelen-Lugano (is the William Tell scenic train or just the regular trains better, esp since we were planning to get 2nd class Swiss Pass tickets, not first class- just too expensive for 2 adults, 2 late teen youth). Comments on William Tell route vs. Centovalli route would be appreciated by anyone who can contribute.
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Old Mar 12th, 2005, 06:39 AM
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I prefer the Lucerne/Lugano scenery (and the comfort of the trains), but it is not as wild as the centovalli. I don't know if that makes sense. Someone else can be more specific w/regard to your question about train particulars along the William Tell route. But remember, going via Lucerne and Lugano will make your trip much longer than S's Spiez/Milan/Varennaroute. Perhaps you'd better not listen to me. Most folks think the Domodossola to Locarno route is great. I guess I'm just not a sport. J.
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Old Mar 12th, 2005, 06:45 AM
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p.s. The Milan/Varenna portion is only about an hour, and I have not a clue as to the views, but from Spiez to Milan, there must be some mountain scenery. How could there not be? And the train passes through Stresa and Arona on Maggiore. Lake views perhaps. J.
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Old Mar 13th, 2005, 05:59 PM
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Tig--jmw44 is right--the Centovalli train is not the most comfortable (seating is tight), but it was OK--the Luzern to Lugano train stretch is scenic but the Centovalli I thought was better. Maybe the difference is we took the Centovalli as the middle of a slow, relaxing day trip from Bern to Lugano as part of a three-week Swiss/Italy trip. If you are pressed for time, I agree with the other poster that you may be better off driving or taking a quicker train (and not the William Tell boat ride portion, which is quite scenic but slow) and actually spending more time doing something. (Yes, the driver gets cheated when it comes to the scenery.) We drove from Lugano to Verona via Milan two Julys ago, and the traffic wasn't that bad, although the border crossing took about 15 minutes.
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Old Mar 13th, 2005, 11:03 PM
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Thanks to all for your comments. Am still torn. Taxatty, we don't actually mind accepting that we are spending the day travelling if its relaxing and the scenery is worth it, & we will prob bus/ferry to Varenna from Lugano. How bad can the Centovalli train be? It's only 1 3/4 hrs traveltime, is it THAT uncomfortable... is it the seats, the "crowdedness", bad viewing..or what? Rick Steves site also reckons Lucerne-Lugano isnt that exciting & we will do scenic Lucern-Interlaken Brunig route on way TO Interlaken anyway. IF we can send our luggage ahead to Como (still trying to find out) and IF it will be safe there, then we'd be free to hop off the train maybe one time somewhere en route on Centovalli for an hr B4 next train & enjoy seeing one of the villages (is there somewhere that might entice us?) Alternative of driving means my husband will miss some scenery (cos I don't want to drive the mountains!!), also believe we can wait hrs at Gotthard tunnel and if one drives the pass instead seems from other comments on this site that one can't pull off/stop easily?
Taxatty, if we have to have our luggage with us is the space so tight on Centovalli train that we may not have anywhere to put it?!!
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Old Mar 14th, 2005, 02:35 AM
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tig,

I know you've been trying hard to get that information about sending luggage to Como. I wonder if you've called or e-mailed the Swiss rail folks yet? I"ve e-mailed them in the past (in English), and they're prompt and very thorough in reply. I suggest you go ahead and contact them!

s
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Old Mar 14th, 2005, 05:13 AM
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Well, s - finally accessed website (tried but couldnt get onto it on weekend for some reason!) and sent email BUT have just called toll-free Swiss Tourism office (011-800-100-200-30 for your info) and they told me it is now a FOUR day delivery guarantee(!!)and will take a min. of 48 hrs for delivery and that I shouldnt even consider it, but apparently Como wasnt an option anyway... so there it is - means we can't forward our baggage even from Zurich to Interlaken on arrival either! Must still decide which route to take though to Lugano - Many thanks, your help appreciated!
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Old Mar 14th, 2005, 05:25 AM
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Hi again,

FOUR days!!! Hurmph! That is a drag! I guess I'll just have to get used to travelling light.

Good luck figuring out your itinerary! I do hope you get a chance to come back and linger somewhere in the Swiss mountains!

s
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Old Mar 14th, 2005, 04:41 PM
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Tig--there was room for us and our luggage (2 medium size pieces each) on the Centovalli train. We had 1st class Swiss Passes, and even the 1st class cars were smaller than your standard train car and there wasn't much room to stretch out. No idea about 2nd class or which village to stop in. It was comfortable enough, however, and as you point out the trip isn't THAT long.
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