Travel from venice to Silvaplana, Switzerland
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2012
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Travel from venice to Silvaplana, Switzerland
We are traveling to Swiitzerland in Sept,have 7 days acccomodations in Silvaplana, but would like to fly to Venice and spend 2 nocs there. Any suggestions on best way to travel from Venice to Silvaplana, Switzerland?
Also, best way to get from Zermatt to Zurich? Once in Switzerland, we were told the Glacier Express is a great experience, but would need to get to airport from Zermatt if this is taken. Thanks
Also, best way to get from Zermatt to Zurich? Once in Switzerland, we were told the Glacier Express is a great experience, but would need to get to airport from Zermatt if this is taken. Thanks
#2
Joined: Jan 2007
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Venice to the St Moritz area - take a train to Milan and change to a sideline to Tirano, Italy and then take the fabled Bernina Pass Railway to St Moritz then local buses to Silvapata - the Bernina Pass Railway is IMO Europe's most scenic railway and way way more gorgeous than the overrated overhyped overpublicized Glacier Express IMO.
Zermatt to Zurich - straightforward - take a train to Visp/Brig and change to the toy-like train that goes to Zermatt (part of the Glacier Express route and the most gorgeous in my opinion) - if doing all that rail travel then by all means investigate the Swiss Pass, which passes not only on trains but lake boats, postal buses, city trams and buses and grants free entry to over 400 Swiss Museums, like those in Zurich. Great sources of Info on Swiss trains, passes (and other options like the Half-Fare Card) check out these IMO fantastic sites - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.swisstravelsystem.com.
Zermatt to Zurich - straightforward - take a train to Visp/Brig and change to the toy-like train that goes to Zermatt (part of the Glacier Express route and the most gorgeous in my opinion) - if doing all that rail travel then by all means investigate the Swiss Pass, which passes not only on trains but lake boats, postal buses, city trams and buses and grants free entry to over 400 Swiss Museums, like those in Zurich. Great sources of Info on Swiss trains, passes (and other options like the Half-Fare Card) check out these IMO fantastic sites - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.swisstravelsystem.com.
#3

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,510
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Hi Elaine_CaesareSmith,
Just want to make sure you don't try to do the Glacier Express and get to Zürich the same day. That's just too much travel.
The Glacier Express is about 8 hours long, and the trip from Zermatt to Zürich takes about three hours. So, you would be looking at 10-11 hours of travel inside a train in one day. imo, that's waay too much of a good thing.
If you decide to take the GE, it would be best if you could spend one or two nights in Zermatt.
Oh, and you can get all the schedules and fares for all your Swiss trips at the Swiss rail site at
www.rail.ch
Have fun as you plan!
s
Just want to make sure you don't try to do the Glacier Express and get to Zürich the same day. That's just too much travel.
The Glacier Express is about 8 hours long, and the trip from Zermatt to Zürich takes about three hours. So, you would be looking at 10-11 hours of travel inside a train in one day. imo, that's waay too much of a good thing.
If you decide to take the GE, it would be best if you could spend one or two nights in Zermatt.
Oh, and you can get all the schedules and fares for all your Swiss trips at the Swiss rail site at
www.rail.ch
Have fun as you plan!
s
#4
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
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A suggestion - from the St Moritz area you can also hop the Maloja Pass (a k a Palm Express) Swiss postal bus to Lugano, after going down the awesome Maloja Pass and then lovingly along Lake Como - stopping in Menaggio for a half hour or so to Lugano.
Lugano would make a lovely overnight - boats on Lake Lugano are great (100% valid with Swiss Pass as is the bus except for a required reservation fee) and then from Lugano it is a straight shot to Zurich or you could take a train to Locarno and hop the Centovalli scenic mountain railway To Domodossola, Italy for trains to Brig and up to Zermatt - then head from Zermatt either to the Interlaken area or directly to Zurich, via Bern. A really awesomely scenic route the whole way practically.
Lugano would make a lovely overnight - boats on Lake Lugano are great (100% valid with Swiss Pass as is the bus except for a required reservation fee) and then from Lugano it is a straight shot to Zurich or you could take a train to Locarno and hop the Centovalli scenic mountain railway To Domodossola, Italy for trains to Brig and up to Zermatt - then head from Zermatt either to the Interlaken area or directly to Zurich, via Bern. A really awesomely scenic route the whole way practically.
#5
Joined: Jan 2007
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anyway Zermatt to the airport in Zurich is pretty straight forward - train down to Visp and hop the mainline trains to Bern and Zurich - but will take about 4-5 hours I suspect - always a good idea to stay overnight in your airport city IMO and leisurely get to the airport the next morning.




