Taking elderly parents from Nice to Lake Como via Bernina express from Zurich

according to the Nice Airport information, Swiss fly 3 times from Nice to Zürich on the 17th of June, at 9:40, 14:50 and 19:10, taking 1h15 nonstop.

The train station at Zürich is right in the airport, Nice airport is small and very easy from the city of Nice.

What you plan is much better than doing the “St. Moritz loop” from Milan.

But I suggest that you take the morning flight from Nice that Nigel found (9”40 departure), and when you reach Zurich, continue on by train to Chur for your overnight on the 17th. That way you can board the Bernina Express train the next morning, without the extra train time to come from Zurich. That would make for a VERY long day on the train. There are 2 direct trains per hour right from the airport terminal train station to Chur, taking 2.5 hours.

If you want to ride the “official” Bernina Express, with the panoramic cars, there are only 2 a day; one departing Chur at 8:28 and arriving at Tirano 12:49, the other (running in summer only) departing Chur at 13:34 and arriving at Tirano at 17:59 (basically 6 pm). With another 1.5 hours of train ride to reach Tirano, plus connection time, that later train would have you arriving in Varenna pretty late.

Schedule and prices for the Bernina Express. https://tickets.rhb.ch/en/pages/bernina-express

This is the 2024 schedule; 2025 isn’t out yet. For the trains from Tirano to Varenna-Esino, use trenitalia.com or Trenord (the actual train operator).

Chur is a pleasant and picturesque little city, the oldest in Switzerland. There are several hotels within walking distance of the station, or use a taxi to go a bit further afield if you find something you like better.

https://www.chur.graubuenden.ch/en

You should start looking for your lodging in Varenna now; people have reported finding difficulty with spring and summer reservations in the few hotels there, in part because some are not taking bookings until 2025.

I believe Albergo Milano, the hotel we like,, is taking reservations now, so have a look at that hotel. Note that the annex (Casa Rossa), which we like, does not have an elevator, so there can be lots of stairs. I believe rooms in the main hotel can be accessed by lift.

Good idea to stay near Malpensa the night before your flight out. In September we spent a night at Osteria della Pista, in a village 10 minutes away from the airport terminals. They have a free shuttle for guests to both terminals in the morning. It is an old hotel, but the rooms are modern, and our dinner in their attractive dining room was excellent.

https://osteriadellapista.com/?lang=en

Thank you , that is a great suggestion to take the train the Chur. That will cut some of our train time all in one day.