We are staying in Varenna in mid October and plan to do a day trip on the Bernina Express. I'm trying to figure out the best/quickest way to get to Lugano's train station from Varenna. It looks like it might be quicker to take the ferry from Varenna to Menaggio then take the bus to Lugano, but I can't find a winter schedule for the ferries, the schedules seem to stop at oct. 4, and we'll be there Oct. Anyone have a suggestion on the best way to get on the Bernina Express if you're staying in Varenna? Suggestions appreciated!
Posted by
Charleston, SC, USA
922 posts
The Bernina Express travels from Tirano, Italy into Switzerland. The easiest way to handle this from Varenna is to take a trenitalia train from Varina-Enso station to Tirano. No need to go to Lugano. Trains leave Varenna almost hourly. Here is a link from the man in seat 61 that might help. Check the schedule near the middle of the page.
Posted by
OP
Schriever, LA, USA
4 posts
Fantastic, thanks!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32220 posts
Debbie,
If you're just taking a day trip, you don't have to go all the way to Chur on the Bernina Express. You could go as far as St. Moritz, Pontresina or other spots, and then return via regular train to Tirano. One point to note is that there are only one or two runs a day with the panoramic B.E. cars.
Posted by
OP
Schriever, LA, USA
4 posts
Good to know Ken. So if you stop at San Moritz you can hop off and take the regular train back to Tirano from the same train station? Also, if that one day trip is our only excursion into Switzerland would you recommend a rail pass?
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32220 posts
Debbie,
Check the bahn.de or sbb.ch websites for specific train details. For one day trip, I wouldn't bother with a Rail pass.
Posted by
Green Bay
20254 posts
You might look at www.sbb.ch to see if there are any Railaway excursion offers, or Super Saver tickets. It will take a bit of digging.
The trains from Varenna-Esino are operated by Trenord, not Trenitalia. A minor quibble, but there are no ticket facilities at the station, so you must buy tickets at a travel agency in Varenna. Schedules at:
http://www.trenord.it/it/home.aspx
Posted by
Rock Hill, SC
57 posts
Back in June, I did the Bernina Express at the end of my Italy vacation.
BTW, Varenna is beautiful and very peaceful. You'll enjoy it so much.
You just hop on the train and go to Tirano. Once you get to Tirano, it's only about 20 steps to the Bernina Express train. Be sure to get tickets in advance and you simply just go to the train car specified on your ticket. I broke down and got the 1st class ticket. There was only 3 other people in the 1st class car. You would be fine with the 2nd class tickets. Remember, on the Bernina Express....you can't get off and then back on later. But on the regional train you can.
There are a few stops and absolutely breathtaking views.
The views are absolutely awesome. In June, it snowed! :)
If you day trip it, start early....and enjoy lunch in St. Moritz.
You can take the regional train back to Tirano and hop the Italian train back. The SBB regional train...you can get tickets at the kiosk using a credit card. I actually spent the night in Pontresina and then took the regional train back to Italy.