In early October, we would like to travel by train from Chur to Tirano with an overnight in Pontresina. The Rhaetian Railway time table makes it look as if the Bernina Express (with the reserved seating and the observation cars) does not stop in Pontresina. It looks like only the Regio Express ("regular" train cars, no reserved seats) makes this stop. Can someone help us understand the options for this trip?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17228 posts
It is a little confusing, but a look at the regular Swiss rail site, sbb.ch, will help you sort it out. You will see several trains designated as "BEX" which is the Bernina Express train. Next, if you look at the timetable for the Bernina Express on the RHB website, the summer schedule has four columns. Train 951, which originates in Chur, does NOT stop in Pontresina, as you noticed. But Train 973, which originates in St. Moritz, does. This one leaves St. Moritz at 11:22. SBB will show a connection to that departing Chur at 8:58, arriving in St. Moritz at 10:58, leaving you 24 minutes to make the connection. The following day you can continue on the Bernina Express by taking the 973 train, departing Pontresina at 11:31. You will arrive in Tirano at 13:26. all of this assumes you want the "true" Bernina Express, not the regular regional trains which run the same route.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17228 posts
I neglected to ask, are you planning to continue on the Bernina Espress bus to Lugano, or will you go to Varenna on Lake Como?
Posted by
OP
Marshfield, MA, USA
5 posts
Hi, Lola -- Thanks for the reply. I'll check it out. And, yes, we are planning to take the bus to Lugano on our way to Milan and our flight back to Boston.
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
If you are planning on going to Milano, there is no point in getting the cramped bus to Tirano. Just take the regional train from Tirano to Milano Cle.
Posted by
OP
Marshfield, MA, USA
5 posts
Hi, Andre L. For these last few days of our trip, the plan is to travel from Chur to Tirano (overnighting in Pontresina) and spending our last night in Lugano. We are hoping to be able to take a fairly early train from Lugano to Milan in order to catch our mid-day flight to the US.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17228 posts
You could accomplish the same thing by talking the train from Tirano to Varenna instead of the bus to Lugano. 2.5 hours on a train instead of almost four on the bus. Varenna is a small, charming town and you can get lodging right on the lake- hard to find and expensive in Lugano. Varenna is just an hour from Milano Centrale. Direct trains depart in the morning at 7:37 and 8:37. Just a thought.
Posted by
OP
Marshfield, MA, USA
5 posts
Thanks, again, Lola. That is a good suggestion. As it happens, the first time we took a Rick Steves tour (The Best of Italy) we flew to Milan, and took the train to Varena to meet up with the group. That was several years ago, but our recollection is that the town was very nice. (We may still even have Rick's detailed instructions for making our way from the train station to the small hotel where we stayed for a night of two...)
Posted by
1 posts
Hello. We are making a similar journey this year in May and I finally get what you are suggesting to do in order to go from Chur to Pontresina, stay over and then head to Tirano and Milan. I see you recommend taking a regular train from Chur to St. moritz and get on the Bernina Express over to Pontresina. Could you just take a regular train to Pontresina realizing you will miss one stop of that Bernina Express or is it something to do with booking it from St Moritz and continuing?