Swiss Alps Day Trip from Lake Como (Bellagio)

It is easy to cross the lake and then get a bus to
Lake Lugano . It isn’t as pretty as Lake Como though. Bellizona , a longer trip but beautiful.

If you want to see the real Alps, take the ferry to Varenna and catch a northbound hourly train to Tirano. Cross the piazza to the RhB station and get an hourly train toward St Moritz. You will go over the Bernina Pass. You could go all the way to St Moritz and turn around and come back, or perhaps turn around at Alp Gruem. Doable day trip.

Going to the Berner Oberland where Rick does those spectacular videos from is too far for a day trip. The Bernina route is the nearest and even that takes all day...

I’ve spent many hours trying to do the same trip as your suggesting. I love lake Como, but I also love there Swiss Berner Oberland area. Every time I have sat down and figured out the logistics of going there and back in one day I find that I spend 90% of my time either riding on a train or sitting & waiting for a train. If trains are something that you enjoy than I could see doing it but for me it just didn’t seem like a good use of the little amount of time I have when vacationing.

Even going and spending the night and coming back the next day would still leave little time to enjoy the Swiss alps.

I have three places on the earth that I have a love for 1) Italian Dolomites, 2) Lake Como, Italy, and Berner Oberland, Switzerland. I continue to work on a plan to visit all 3 in a 14 day trip, the logistics of getting from one to the other without waisting a whole day is difficult.

Sam has the answer—-take the train from Varenna north to Tirano on the Swiss border. Change there to a Swiss train over the Bernina Pass—-either a regular regional train (frequent runs) or the named Bernina Express with the panoramic windows. (We prefer the regional train for maximum flexibility). This is the only Swiss train that actually goes over the Alps, with great views, instead of through them or under them in a tunnel—-with no views.

The train makes several stops at mountain inns or ski resorts before reaching the village of Pontresina, l2+ hours after leaving Tirano. If you want a village to wander around and find lunch, I suggest Pontresina rather than glitzy and famous St. Moritz. But for an alpine experience, get off at Bernina Diavolezza:

https://www.corvatsch-diavolezza.ch/en/mountains/diavolezza

You will have to navigate the website to find information and photos on summer visits, as it is now set to winter. But it would make a nice stop for lunch and a walk right “in” the Alps.

You will see spending a lot of time on trains for this (4+hours each way), but the scenery is worth it.

I guess a big question is how many days will you be in Europe? Where do you fly in and out of? How many days are you planning to stay in Bellagio? The more info the more suggestions. Congrats.

Thank you all for this wonderful information! We will be in Lake Como/Bellagio for 5 days and staying at a hotel that is closer to the water. Any additional dining or activity recommendations always welcome :)

Lola and Sam, that timing and suggestions are very helpful!