Ceinwen

Will be traveling by train from Zurich to Salo, Italy on 10 September. Apparently One must get to Milan to do so. I noticed there are two routes to Milan from Zurich. One goes to Berne, Brig, etc.; and the other goes through Bellazona and Lugano. Which is the most scenic and/or most convenient route? We also have a Swiss Pass that will get us to the border. Should we but the Italian segment in Zurich, or the border? Also, we'll be returning from Lake Como to Saas Fee. I assume we but the return Italian Segment at Verano. Any advice?

RonZ

Train Zurich to Milano Centrale 7:32-11:35; then a train to Desenzano del Garda 12:35-1:26; then a bus [or a taxi] see below:

http://www.reidsitaly.com/destinatio...arda/salo.html

Lake Como you need to decide what station.

neckervd

Train from Zurich to Milan and from Milan to Brescia or Desenzano. Bus from either Brescia or Desenzano to Salo.
With a Swiss Travel Pass, the itinerary via Belllinzona - Chiasso is cheaper (and faster).
The itinerary via Bern - Stresa may be slightly more scenic, but the difference isn't really big.

For a really scenic itinerary, you must spend a full day:

Zurich dp 7.07 - Chur 8.22/8.32 - Albula Pass - Bernina Pass (by Bernina Express) - Tirano ar 12.45
or
Zurich dp 8.37 - Chur 9.52./9.58 - Albula Pass - Bernina Pass (by slow trains with 2 changes) - Tirano ar 14.19
plus
Tirano dp 14.35 - Aprica Pass - Edolo 15.40/15.54 - Lake Iseo - Brescia 17.54/18.10 - Salo ar 19.15

Zurich dp 7.07 - Zernez 9.28/9.34 - Mals 10.46/11.03 - Bozen 12.59/13.04 - Rovereto 14.11/15.09 - Riva del Garda 15.52/17.10 - catamaran - Salo ar 18.46

Zurich dp 6.32 - Bern 7.28/7.38 - Kandersteg - Hohtenn (Loetschberger) - Brig 9.23/9.44 - Brescia 12.51/13.10 - Salo ar 14.15

neckervd

Lake Como - Saas Fee:
Italian leg: bus Menaggio - Lugano or Menaggio - Como - Chiasso.
Swiss leg: train Chiasso - Lugano - Bellinzona - Locarno - Domodossola - Brig - bus - Saas Fee

Train travel Switzerland - Italy via Brig - Domodossola or via Chiasso - Como: buy the ticket for the Italian leg (up to Brescia or Desenzano) in Switzerland
Train travel Switzerland - Italy via Tirano or via Mals: buy the tickets for the Italian legs in Italy

nochblad

Take the route via Bellinzona. Once the new Gotthard Base Tunnel is open you will miss the old route.

Book one of the seats in the panoramic wagons and admire the route especially the turns around the church of Wessen. You pass it three times - once beloe, once at the same level and once above (the reverse coming from Bellinzona).

Ceinwen

Thanks to all. This is extremely helpful.

neckervd

The panoramic wagons (1st class ony!) don't go to Milan, but to Locarno.
A travel with panoramic wagons would look like this:
Zurich dp 7.09 - Arth-Goldau ar 7.46, change train
Arth-Goldau dp 7.52 - Bellinzona ar 9.51, change train
Bellinona dp 9.56 - Milano C ar 11.35, change train
Milano C dp 12.05 - Brescia ar 12.51, change from train to bus
Brescia dp 13.10 - Salo ar 14.15

In the same time frame you could go from Zurich to Salo with only 2 changes (via Lake Thun - Lake Maggiore):
Zurich dp 7.02 - Brig ar 9.11, change train
Brig dp 9.44 - Brescia ar 12.51, change from train to bus
Brescia dp 13.10 - Salo ar 14.15

The poanoramic wagon via Gotthard runs every hr. But at other times there would be more than 4 changes between Zurich and Salo.

Ceinwen

Am I correct in assuming that we could get to Salo without going to Milan in about the same time it would take to get there via Milano>

neckervd

The (Geneva -) Brig - Brescia (- Venice) train I mentioned above passes through Milano Centrale station, but you have not to change trains there.