Geneva/Graechen/Milan Driving in February
Dec 4th, 2013, 07:57 PM
#1
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Geneva/Graechen/Milan Driving in February
Has anyone even driven from Geneva to Graechen to Milan in February? What's the road condition like? Will I encounter dangerous cliff and heavy snow road? I know many will say why not catch public transport, I'm just considering for the comfort of not needing to carry those heavy luggages with my 6 years old.
Dec 4th, 2013, 11:31 PM
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www.viaMichelin.com does advise of some steep grades going over the pass from Switzerland to Italy, and February is usually a month for snow. If you are not used to snowy conditions, I would not recommend it.
Dec 5th, 2013, 01:43 AM
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The road to Graechen is a secondary road. If the weather is fine, the (well maintained) road is fine too. After heavy snowfall, there will be snow and - as night temperatures will be below 0 degrees centigrade for sure - frozen snow and black ice.
Same remark for the Simplon Pass. Cars can be loaded on shuttle trains through the Simplon tunnel, however (people can remain in their cars during transport).
If you take public transport, you will have to change twice on both legs:
normal gauge train Geneva airport - Visp
meter gauge train Visp - St. Niklaus
Post bus St. Niklaus - Graechen
Post bus Graechen - St. Niklaus
meter gaug train St. Niklaus - Brig
normal gauge train Brig - Milano Centrale (if you go into town) resp. Gallarate (if you go to Malpensa airport).
Same remark for the Simplon Pass. Cars can be loaded on shuttle trains through the Simplon tunnel, however (people can remain in their cars during transport).
If you take public transport, you will have to change twice on both legs:
normal gauge train Geneva airport - Visp
meter gauge train Visp - St. Niklaus
Post bus St. Niklaus - Graechen
Post bus Graechen - St. Niklaus
meter gaug train St. Niklaus - Brig
normal gauge train Brig - Milano Centrale (if you go into town) resp. Gallarate (if you go to Malpensa airport).
Dec 5th, 2013, 04:23 AM
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Are you driving your car or a hire car?
First you should have winter tyres and perhaps chains in the boot as well.
You cannot make precise plans as all will depend upon the weather.
Generally Switzerland is very efficient in keeping roads clear and removing snow after a heavy fall.
Ice is often more of a danger than snow.
The Simplon pass is kept open during winter but can be pretty hairy at times. I have crossed it during a blizzard but I did have chains on at the time.
If you are unfamiliar with chains make sur you know what to do before you set off. Reading the instruction leaflet halfway up the mountain in freezing conditions is not recommended!
First you should have winter tyres and perhaps chains in the boot as well.
You cannot make precise plans as all will depend upon the weather.
Generally Switzerland is very efficient in keeping roads clear and removing snow after a heavy fall.
Ice is often more of a danger than snow.
The Simplon pass is kept open during winter but can be pretty hairy at times. I have crossed it during a blizzard but I did have chains on at the time.
If you are unfamiliar with chains make sur you know what to do before you set off. Reading the instruction leaflet halfway up the mountain in freezing conditions is not recommended!
