We are traveling to Switzerland this fall but, sadly, cannot include the Bernina Express in our plans. We hope to go to Italy next Spring and wonder if it would be practical to swing over into Switzerland to do the Bernina Express. Would this work best from Milan? Venice? Would it be worth the time, trouble, and expense? Are there other countries from which it could be more easily accessed (Germany, Austria)? We will probably be doing part of the Glacier Express (from Zermatt to Andermatt) this fall.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32212 posts
Chris,
It would be very easy to use the Bernina Express to get to Italy. You could start in Lucerne or other large city and take the train to Chur, where you'll board the Bernina Express.
That trip will end in Tirano, where you can transfer to the "regular" train to continue your journey in Italy.
It's only a short trip from there to Varenna on Lago di Como, if you wanted to stop there for a few days (it's a big favourite with many here, including me). Alternately, you could travel from Tirano to Milan, and then to wherever you ultimately want to go in Italy.
If you're planning to go to Verona, you'll have to change trains at Milano Centrale.
Happy travels!
Posted by
Freedonia
15018 posts
Flying into Milan if you're planning on taking the BE and spending most of your time in Italy makes no sense.
Keep moving in one direction. If you plan to visit Italy, take the train so it ends in Tirano. That means starting in Switzerland.
Start your trip by flying into Zurich and catching a train to Chur (about 90 minutes from the airport to Chur with one change in Zurich itself.) From there, you can pick up the BE and take it to Tirano. Here you either go your own way, or take the BE Bus to Lugano for more scenery. From Lugano, it's a quick rail jump to either Como or Milan and the rest of Italy awaits.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
It's not too difficult to work in the Bernina express from Northern Italy. The problem is that I suspect that you will want to return to Italy. You will need to backtrack much the same routing from St. Mortiz back into Italy. If this can all be part of your planning, it's just fine.
Posted by
Dallas, United States
705 posts
We planned our trip purposely to include those two trains--the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express. I agree with the others that have suggested beginning in Switerland, getting to Chur, and taking the BE from there. We included the bus to Lugano and the scenery was magnificent. From Lugano you can easily get to Milan and points south. I think you will have to determine yourself the value in terms of time, trouble, expense.
Good luck.
Posted by
OP
Houston, Texas, USA
231 posts
Thanks for the suggestions. I hadn't considered flying into Zurich and heading south so as to avoid backtracking. Great idea!