NarelleN

Leaving from either Venice or Naples to head into Switzerland. Will return to either Venice or Milan. Want to spend 3 days in Zermatt, do Glacier express from St Moritz to Zermatt or vice versa and then 2-3 days in Interlaken.
Open to any suggestions on best order to do things in and how to travel around. For 6-7 days is it worth getting a train pass? Thanks

Dukey1

If you want to go on to Interlaken I suggest you take the Glacier WESTBOUND.

You might consider adding the Bernina Express to this journey

www.rhb.ch

neckervd

Best connections:

Venice dp 6.50 - Brescia 8.37/9.07 - Edolo 11.08/11.15 - Tirano 12.20/14,03 - Bernina Express - St. Moritz ar 16.20
or
Venice dp 8.50 - Milan 11.25/12.20 - Tirano 14.52/15.12 - Bernina Express - Pontresina ar 17.19/17.24 - St. Moritz ar 17.33
or
Venice dp 10.50 - Brescia 12.37/13.07 - Edolo 15.08/15.15 - Tirano 16.20/17.00 - Standard Bernina train - St. Moritz ar 19.11

St. Moritz dp 9.57 - Glacier Express - Andermatt 14.50/15.59 - Swiss PostBus via Susten Pass - Stein Glacier (20 min stop) - Meiringen 18.10/18.22 - Interlaken ar 18.55

Interlaken dp 9.08 - Spiez 9.32/9.36 - Visp 10.02/10.08 - Zermatt ar 11.13

Zermatt dp 8.13 - Brig 9.37/9.44 - Venice ar 14.40

Dukey1

Please be aware that even though there is an obvious Bernina Express <B>route</B> that not every train on that route is, in fact, a Bernina Express.

The BE has panorama cars which the other trains do not.

The BE makes fewer stops and to take it from one end to the other does not require any changes.

In order to get to Tirano from the south you are going to have to go through Milano Centrale and the timetable and reservation possibilities are here:

www.Trenord.it

PalenQ

For 6-7 days is it worth getting a train pass?>

Definitely for what you have outlined - also covers lake boats and gives 50% off trains and gondolas to mountain tops (most not all) and gives free entry to 470+ Swiss museums - also good on city transports.

Venice to Milan - change for trains to Tirano - change to Bernina Express or frequent local trains - stay in St Moritz area

Take Glacier Express to Andermatt - change there for thrilling postal bus ride to Meiringen, for trains to Interlaken-Ost.

Interlaken-Brig - change for Glacier Express to Zermatt (you will cover the most scenic parts of the GE - St Moritz to Andermatt and Brig to Zermatt.

Zermatt vis Brig to Milan.

for lots of info on Swiss trains and passes, etc check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteurorpetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.

Book discounted Italian tickets at www.trenitalia.com - for much lower prices.

PalenQ

Narella - when are you traveling - that bus from Andermatt to Meieringen only runs when the high passes it traverses are not blocked by snow which they are much of the year from October thru early spring I think.

If the bus does not run then keep on the GE until Brig and change to the new high-speed line to Spiez, transfer there for Interlaken-Ost.

NarelleN

Thankyou PalenQ
-when are you traveling
around 11-18 July

neckervd

In July, all trains and buses I mentioned above will run.

PalenQ

Yes great - the bus ride from Andermatt to Meiringen is stupendous- Swiss Postal buses are awesome:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...witzerland.cfm

PalenQ

Actually you may have to take the shuttle train from Andermatt down to Goschenen to catch the bus to Meiringen - also serves Andermatt I think but not sure.

NarelleN

Thanks so much everyone. Will check out all the websites mentioned.
Is it better to get Swiss train Pass or get the Jungfraubahn pass as we will spend 3 days in that area?
We are also spending about 18 days in Italy. Landing in Milan, train to Florence, train to Rome then on to Naples with about 4 days at each place. From Naples looking at a day trip to pompeii and then another to amalfi coast. Will then train back to Milan to head into Switzerland. Hope to do Venice after Switzerland. My husband and I are travelling with our 13 year old. We looked at individual train tickets and it appeared cheaper than a pass. Yes?No?

neckervd

A direct flight from Naples to Basel costs about 60 EUR/pax.
You may also fly from Naples dp 17.45 to Milan Malpensa, sleep at Gallarate nearby (Hotel Nuova rotaia, Astoria or so) and leave Gallarate the next morning at 8am by direct train to Spiez (- Berne).
http://www.easyjet.com/

neckervd

...the Berne bound train stops of course at Visp where you can change to a local train to Zermatt.

PalenQ

Swiss Pass could be the best because you are going in your OP to two different areas rather removed from each other. If you have the Swiss Pass the Jungfraujbahn Pass is too expensive to realize benefits over the Swiss Pass in just three days.