we are planning a day trip from varenna - taking a train to tirano and doing a round trip train using the bernina line -- thinking of doing the express one way and then doing a regional back -- we would like to stop in st.moritz -- take a bus to sils maria - then back to st. moritz - but things i have read make it seem like we would be missing an important part of the line if we don't go farther towards Chur -- should we continue on farther and where should we get off to head back to tirano - or is there another route back to varenna that we should consider. we definitely can't go all the way to chur and back in one day-----
for those who have done this line, what are we really missing by only going as far as st. moritz....
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17253 posts
You would miss the famous Landwasser Viaduct, but I agree it is not worth going all the way to Chur on a daytrip.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landwasser_Viaduct
Spend some time walking and enjoying St. Moritz and Sils Maria instead of more time on the train. I think the best part of the journey is the section from the Pass down to Poschiavo, with amazing views into the valley.
Posted by
Paris
7269 posts
You don't miss much else than the viaduct if you stop in St Moritz, and the side trip to Sils Maria is worth it: I like your plan!
Posted by
Rock Hill, SC
57 posts
I did this a few years ago. Wife left after our 2 week Italy vacation and I took the train from Milan to Tirano...then Bernina Express to St. Moritz. Did it during the summer in June and it was quiet. But, so beautiful.
Agree...stay in St. Moritz for the day and take the regional back. It'll be a long day, but worth it. I still have photos on my phone from Alp Grum and remember that day like it was yesterday.
Posted by
Green Bay
20990 posts
You can also return to Varenna by a different route and a bit less money. The No 4 bus goes at 31 past the hour from Sils Maria (5:31 pm departure last one that will get you back to Varenna). The No 4 bus will take you over the Maloja Pass to Chiavenna, Italy. There you get a train to Colico which connects to the train back to Varenna-Esino.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thank you all for responding - we can hardly wait fir the trip!
Posted by
OP
8 posts
One additional question- with traveling back and forth between Italy and Switzerland using trains and busses, do I need two different rail passes?
Posted by
Green Bay
20990 posts
Don't buy rail passes, buy train tickets.