Italy trip with a day trip to Switzerland
May 7, 2015, 7:55 am
#1
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Italy trip with a day trip to Switzerland
Hi all, I am traveling with my family to Milan later this month. We were initially planning to spend 3 days at the Expo before moving on to Venice and Florence but now rethinking that plan (and spending 2 days at the Expo instead) and considering adding a day trip to Switzerland. Does anyone have a recommendation for a day trip into Switzerland? It would have to be relatively inexpensive for a family of 5. Also, do US citizens need to carry passports to cross the Swiss/Italian border?
May 7, 2015, 3:19 pm
#2
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We took the bus from MXP to Lugano. We were never asked for our passports when we crossed the border. If you're downtown, you can train or bus it. There's frequent service. We spent a long day in Lugano. It's a beautiful town.
If I recall correctly, the roundtrip, or return as my European friends say, is less costly on the bus.
http://www.luganoturismo.ch/en/61/ai...-malpensa.aspx There are 3 links. Roundtrip is 30 euro on the bus from MXP. I'm not sure of the city rate.
With 5 people, it's probably cheaper to rent a car for the day.
dh
If I recall correctly, the roundtrip, or return as my European friends say, is less costly on the bus.
http://www.luganoturismo.ch/en/61/ai...-malpensa.aspx There are 3 links. Roundtrip is 30 euro on the bus from MXP. I'm not sure of the city rate.
With 5 people, it's probably cheaper to rent a car for the day.
dh
May 7, 2015, 7:49 pm
#3
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With Switzerland being in Schengen but not the EU, there normally isn't passport control, but there could (unlikely) be a customs inspection of what you're carrying. Passport control could be reinstated in an emergency, which is reason enough for you to have your passports on this trip.
Under the law, you should carry your passports at all times in Italy. There may be tacit acceptance of just having copies around town, but less so if you're going out of town, much less crossing a national border.
Under the law, you should carry your passports at all times in Italy. There may be tacit acceptance of just having copies around town, but less so if you're going out of town, much less crossing a national border.
May 12, 2015, 6:57 am
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I go from Italy to Switzerland around 4 or 5 times a year (mostly train) and there is far more checking of whether you are moving money than if you have a passport. On the Eurocity train I see the Guardia di Finanza probably half the time and they express varying levels of interest in what I carry, occasionally asking to see almost everything, sometimes glancing at a US passport and moving on. That said, when they check you out they do want to see a passport or id.
Note that there are two trains from Milan to Lugano, a more expensive Eurocity (available on line) and a somewhat less expensive TiLo (you can buy tickets from a travel agent in Milan) that stops a bit more but total time is not that different.
Note that there are two trains from Milan to Lugano, a more expensive Eurocity (available on line) and a somewhat less expensive TiLo (you can buy tickets from a travel agent in Milan) that stops a bit more but total time is not that different.
Jun 7, 2015, 3:09 am
#5
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Any idea what the TiLo goes for? Might do some sleuthing, but trying to tie up some other aspects first. Family wants to visit Switzerland and we'll be based out of Milan for several nights.
Thanks!
Any idea what the TiLo goes for? Might do some sleuthing, but trying to tie up some other aspects first. Family wants to visit Switzerland and we'll be based out of Milan for several nights.
Thanks!
Jun 7, 2015, 6:26 am
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With Switzerland being in Schengen but not the EU, there normally isn't passport control, but there could (unlikely) be a customs inspection of what you're carrying. Passport control could be reinstated in an emergency, which is reason enough for you to have your passports on this trip.
Under the law, you should carry your passports at all times in Italy. There may be tacit acceptance of just having copies around town, but less so if you're going out of town, much less crossing a national border.
Under the law, you should carry your passports at all times in Italy. There may be tacit acceptance of just having copies around town, but less so if you're going out of town, much less crossing a national border.
If you drive you'll probably have to buy a 'vignette' at the border to allow you access to the Swiss motorway system. This will set you back around 40 EUR.
Jun 7, 2015, 6:43 am
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Any idea what the TiLo goes for? Might do some sleuthing, but trying to tie up some other aspects first. Family wants to visit Switzerland and we'll be based out of Milan for several nights.
Thanks!
Any idea what the TiLo goes for? Might do some sleuthing, but trying to tie up some other aspects first. Family wants to visit Switzerland and we'll be based out of Milan for several nights.
Thanks!
Jun 8, 2015, 3:50 pm
#8
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Thanks for the quotes.
Looking at this later this week or next week- and
train prices have been going up.
Thanks for the quotes.
Looking at this later this week or next week- and
train prices have been going up.
Last edited by beckoa; Jun 8, 2015 at 4:35 pm