 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
@gwatts10, You know you can't avoid a train altogether? The road only goes as far as Tasch and you have to park there and get the shuttle train up the valley to Zermatt, albeit it's a short trip. You will have to do the maths but you will pay to park your minivan at Tasch for a week and won't use it, on top of the hire costs and so on. I expect it might work out cheaper than 12 train tickets but honestly the train is the stress free way to go, you can relax, have a picnic, enjoy the view etc. Swiss trains are a different thing from a British commuter train. The transfer at Visp is not that bad and you don't need to sweat it to make the connection as they run every half hour in peak season, it won't be long until the next one is along. I've never done the drive (no doubt someone who has will be along soon) but I wouldn't fancy it on a Saturday at half term... you clearly operate in a democracy though so the will of the majority might win the day!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Well said scotsgirl, -one other thing is if you have to tramp a long way in Geneva airport to the minibus, rather than a couple of hundred yards, and down the lift onto the station platform, that could be messy. Price could be better, Rail for 12 is circa 1,140 GBP. Minibus would need to be for 16 people minimum to get all your gear in for a week. Garage parking wont be cheap and return rail from Tasch to Zermatt for 12 currently 152 GBP. I am trying to help you have a good holiday. I will now shu  t up though
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
When we fly (as opposed to drive from UK) we almost always fly to Geneva and I’d say the majority of the time we drive rather than take the train. By drive I mean we hire a car whereas is the original poster talking about a minibus transfer (ie a taxi)?
Anyway the reasons I drive are: it is usually cheaper; provided no major hold ups it is faster; if you get the late plane out it is too late to get a train; I know the route really well; we actually live almost 1km north of Täsch train station; and we have an underground garage with our own parking place. So generally those factors wouldn’t apply to the original poster.
As for the journey itself, I can break it down into sections:
1. Geneva to Lausanne. Nice big fast road but can get very busy (non-ski traffic). This section seems prone to accidents, which can hold things up a lot.
2. Lausanne to Montreux and on to Martigny. Similar to above but you are now picking up a lot of ski traffic so could be busy. For some reason there often seem to be hold ups round Montreux. No idea why.
3. Martigny along the Rhône valley past Sion and on to Sierre/Siders. Still a nice fast wide road. Commercial traffic is less than round the lake and the ski traffic is starting to thin as you go past various resorts (e.g. you have lost the Verbier lot).
4. Beyond Sierre/Siders and on to Visp. The dual carriageway comes to an abrupt end! Right on the linguistic border (insert your own conspiracy theory here). Sierre (in French; in German it is Siders) is one of the few dual language towns in Switzerland. The road is fine but it is slow and goes through several small towns. You probably won’t be held up but your average speed is going to drop drastically. If you are using a sat nav make sure it is up to date or you keep your eyes open. There is a fairly new section of dual carriageway that cuts out going through a couple of small towns.
5. From Visp up to Täsch (where you transfer onto a shuttle and leave your car if you have one). This road is OK but winds its way up the valley – not nice if it is dark and you don’t know it. Again you probably won’t get held up but nor will you drive quickly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
John Mo, I bow to your local knowledge, but a minibus is no car. Is parking for a large minibus available at Tasch even?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| twoodwar wrote: |
| John Mo, I bow to your local knowledge, but a minibus is no car. Is parking for a large minibus available at Tasch even? |
Yes. I am not sure if you'd get it into the multi storey next to the Täsch train station (you might) but there are several surface car parks on the left hand side as you drive into Täsch. What one usually does with them is, rather than use the shuttle train, transfer all your stuff and passengers into a minibus owned by the parking company. That minibus has a licence to drive the Täsch to Zermatt road to the north end of Zermatt where you transfer to one of the electric taxis to take you to your hotel/accomodation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Yes JohnMo, we used Christophe, however they will need two of Christophe's vehicles for 12 of them. Just thinking of the fact they need to check this out before committing to a large minibus, as this will be done partially at least on the basis of cost.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| twoodwar wrote: |
| Yes JohnMo, we used Christophe, however they will need two of Christophe's vehicles for 12 of them. Just thinking of the fact they need to check this out before committing to a large minibus, as this will be done partially at least on the basis of cost. |
True. If they are looking for a transfer rather than self-drive, Christophe run Sprinters that can carry 15-18 (depending on how configured). So they should be able to all get in (plus luggage and skis in the rack at the back. No idea how much they charge.
I am certainly not trying to promote road v rail. The advantages of rail have been well explained above.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Decision made thanks to SNOWHEADS - Train journey it is , 1st class ( on the basis that we are more likely to get a seat ) as everybody has suggested we will sit back , relax , beer in hand and take in the majestic views of the lake and mountains . Thanks to you all
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
Great decision
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| twoodwar wrote: |
| Great decision |
+1
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
If we hit the wine shop and Migros before boarding are there any restrictions on Swiss trains to having a tipple whilst travelling?
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
|
@halfhand, Nope. If there’s a dining car they’ll also sell it on the train. Note Migros doesn’t sell alcohol but you can buy booze in the « duty free » shop just before you enter the baggage hall
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As long as you are all being very quiet and well behaved - of course not!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Not that long ago you could even smoke weed in the smoking compartment and the guard always turned a blind eye/nose. "Gruezi, gruezi..."
No problems still with booze AFAIK.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
wine shop in arrivals too on way to station!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Thanks all. Not intended on getting trollied just a couple of glasses of wine to while away the journey 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
@halfhand, if you need a top up when you change at Visp: when you come down to the tunnel under the railway if you use the stairs turn right or if you come down the ramp turn left to go to the platform for the Zermatt train. If you continue to the end of the tunnel just outside on the right is a coop. It does coffees, alcohol etc. If the train is on time (usually is) the connection is not long but you should have time to pop into the coop (we usually do).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
@JohnMo, TVM
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Travel by train. There are fast trains, it's a great view and I've never had to rush at Brig - easily enough time to go the Migros in the station for a final pre-Zermatt prices shop!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Sorry iainm, but to avoid confusion for anyone, did you mean 'visp'?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
@iainm, there is also a decent size Migros in Zermatt, opposite the train station. Prices are the same as in all Migros.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pedantic reply...: it's the Co-op which is opposite the station, Migros is a little further on. The Co-op has its own quite large selection of alcohol, Migros has a small off-licence type place next door.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
