Switzerland: A Pit Stop
Feb 6th, 2019, 06:44 AM
#61
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Looks like a good idea, but the fact is that at Domo, connections between Regional trains from Milan and Brig bound trains are extremely bad. It wouldn't be a problem to spend 1 hr or so in the charming city of Domodossola if there would be luggage lockers or a left luggage office at Domodossola railway station.
As to the timetable, there is just a example:
arrival times of Regionali from Milan:
10.07, 11.07, 14.02, 15.07, 17.07, 18.02, 19.07, 20.07, 21.07
departure times of trains to Spiez (with or without change at Brig):
9.58, 10.48, 11.58, 12.48, 13.58, 14.48, 15.58, 16.48, 17.58, 18.58, 19.48, 20.48
As to the timetable, there is just a example:
arrival times of Regionali from Milan:
10.07, 11.07, 14.02, 15.07, 17.07, 18.02, 19.07, 20.07, 21.07
departure times of trains to Spiez (with or without change at Brig):
9.58, 10.48, 11.58, 12.48, 13.58, 14.48, 15.58, 16.48, 17.58, 18.58, 19.48, 20.48
Feb 6th, 2019, 08:36 AM
#62
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Yes, why are international trains running Milan to Switzerland like they did for so many years with Cisalpino and others?
The change at Brig or Domodossola is easy at least - both are neat towns but no reason to stop unless have to.
The change at Brig or Domodossola is easy at least - both are neat towns but no reason to stop unless have to.
Feb 6th, 2019, 11:09 PM
#63
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"Why are international trains running from Milan to Switzerland ..." because this is a very old route. The Simplon tunnel was built in 1905 and trains have run Milan to switzerland since then. However I suspect - and you can clarify - that you meant to say "why are these trains NOT running". The answer is - they ARE running. Trains leave Milan every couple of hours for Basel and Geneva. All stop at Domodossola to change train crew. But passengers do not have to get off at Domo unless they are headed for Locarno or unless they want to get a VAT form stamped.
Of course there are local trains on this route too.
Of course there are local trains on this route too.
Feb 7th, 2019, 01:33 AM
#64
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Palen suggested to take a local train between Milan and Domo (post 60) and I explained why that wouldn't be a good idea.
There are actually 8 daily trains (6 from Milan and 2 from Venice) entering Switzerland via Domodossola (one of them has no commercial stop up to Dijon, however).
At the main border post of Chiasso, we find 21 international trains coming from Milan and entering Switzerland. Only 11 of them cross the alps, however.
There are actually 8 daily trains (6 from Milan and 2 from Venice) entering Switzerland via Domodossola (one of them has no commercial stop up to Dijon, however).
At the main border post of Chiasso, we find 21 international trains coming from Milan and entering Switzerland. Only 11 of them cross the alps, however.
Mar 2nd, 2019, 04:50 PM
#66
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After sitting on this and rereading valuable advice, I'm leaning toward either purchasing point to point tickets to and from Switzerland and then Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass. I see that neckervd and Hambagahle's advice for the Half fare card appears to be most economical but as Hambagahle mentioned, there are no "freebies". Pricewise, this option should save me about $100 over the Swiss Travel Pass but it would only give me .5 fare for lifts on the day I go hiking...thus reducing the value some.
The Swiss Travel Pass would cost a little more but give me ultimate freedom as well as including the Schilthorn. While I am still undecided about the Schilthorn, after rereading PalenQ's post about (#37 i think) going up the Schilthorn route and then doing hikes on that side instead of Mann/KS seems to incorporate an ALL in ONE day?? Plus it would ALL be included in the Swiss Travel Pass.
Again, I am a bit hesitant since I dealt with altitude sickness once but it was from a day of skiing (physical exertion) when I then lingered at a restaurant on top of the mountain.
Comments and suggestions welcomed.
Lastly, should I purchase the Venice to Domodossola tickets now? Meaning, are they as low as they'll go ... will they only get more expensive as the date approaches or could deals pop up? Also, I noticed that Domodossola is in Italy, does that pose a problem with the Swiss Travel Pass? Can I begin using the Swiss Pass from Domodossola? And how do I get a Family Card?
Thanks
The Swiss Travel Pass would cost a little more but give me ultimate freedom as well as including the Schilthorn. While I am still undecided about the Schilthorn, after rereading PalenQ's post about (#37 i think) going up the Schilthorn route and then doing hikes on that side instead of Mann/KS seems to incorporate an ALL in ONE day?? Plus it would ALL be included in the Swiss Travel Pass.
Again, I am a bit hesitant since I dealt with altitude sickness once but it was from a day of skiing (physical exertion) when I then lingered at a restaurant on top of the mountain.
Comments and suggestions welcomed.
Lastly, should I purchase the Venice to Domodossola tickets now? Meaning, are they as low as they'll go ... will they only get more expensive as the date approaches or could deals pop up? Also, I noticed that Domodossola is in Italy, does that pose a problem with the Swiss Travel Pass? Can I begin using the Swiss Pass from Domodossola? And how do I get a Family Card?
Thanks
Mar 2nd, 2019, 11:23 PM
#67
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The Schilthorn is covered 100% by the STP and so is Mt Rigi. But otherwise the STP, at an average cost of 70frs/day in 2nd class, will only get you 50% off on mountain transport AND - very importantly in the Jungfrau area - only 25% off the trains to the Jungfraujoch. In fact on trains above Wengen and Grindelwald should you want to go to Kleine Scheidegg or Eiger Gletscher to hike for example. HFC is 50% off everything in this area (not in the Grisons but we are not discussing that on this thread...)
The BIG advantage of the STP is for museum goers. Then it saves a lot of money. For hikers - generally the HFC is better from a cost aspect.
The BIG advantage of the STP is for museum goers. Then it saves a lot of money. For hikers - generally the HFC is better from a cost aspect.
Mar 3rd, 2019, 05:39 AM
#68
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Oh, I thought the STP was all-inclusive...so you are saying that for hiking, I would have to pay additional for transport from Wengen and above....that the STP is NOT included?
But if the STP includes the Schilthorn, couldn't I get on and off at places along that route .... say Murren or Gimmelwald?
Thanks for your help!
But if the STP includes the Schilthorn, couldn't I get on and off at places along that route .... say Murren or Gimmelwald?
Thanks for your help!
Mar 3rd, 2019, 11:08 PM
#69
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The STP is not all inclusive. It provides transport to "all inhabited places" but above those it only gets you a discount. Normally this is 50% but in the case of the Jungfrabahn it is 25%. Exceptionally it does cover the Schilthorn, Mt Rigi and the Cabrio on the Stanserhorn 100%. So if you want to hike around Mürren it will cover ALL of the Stechelberg/Gimmelwald/Birg/schilhtorn cable car (and of course the bus to get to Stechelberg) and the cable car Lauterbrunnen/Grütschalp and train from there to Mürren. So you could go to Gimmelwald and hike up to Mürren, then walk through Mürren to Grütschalp and then take the cable car back down. Or go to Birg and walk down from there...
