I've been trying to figure out how to include Venice, Bernina Express, and Lucerne without racing around or spending all day on trains in meh locations... We'd be spending three nights in Venice and 2-3 in Lucerne. Does this actually work??
ChatGPT said:
Here’s a sample scenic train itinerary starting in Venice, taking in Lake Como, riding the Bernina Express, and ending in Lucerne.
🗓️ Day 1 – Venice → Milan → Lake Como (Via Varenna)
Morning: Take a high-speed Trenitalia Frecciarossa or Italo from Venice Santa Lucia to Milan Centrale (~2.5 h).
Midday/afternoon: From Milan, board a regional Trenord train to Tirano, which runs along the Lake Como shore—passing Varenna, Lecco, Bellano—ideal for stopping at Varenna and heading by ferry to Bellagio or Como
Evening: Two nights in Como city or Varenna/Lecco for lakeside views.
Day 3 – Como → Tirano → Bernina Express → St. Moritz or Chur
Morning: Train from Como San Giovanni to Tirano (~2–2.5 h), passes stunning lakeshore, with ticket via Trenitalia or Trenord (no reservation needed)
Lunch in Tirano—easy walk between Italian and Swiss stations.
Afternoon: Board Bernina Express from Tirano to St. Moritz (~2 h 20 min) or onward to Chur (~4 h 20 min) using observation cars with panoramas. Seat reservation mandatory (~CHF 33–36 depending on season, or CHF 28 for short route)
Evening: Overnight in St. Moritz (recommended for alpine views) or Chur depending on end point of Bernina Express.
Day 4 – St. Moritz / Chur → Lucerne
Morning: If in St. Moritz, take Swiss domestic (SBB) train via Chur, then onward to Lucerne (~3 h total). If in Chur, board direct rail to Lucerne (~2.5–3 h).
Option: scenic routing via Gotthard Base Tunnel, or older Gotthard Panorama route via Bellinzona, giving views of Lake Lucerne and spiral loops through the Alps. The Gotthard Panorama Express (with boat + train) runs mid‑Apr to mid‑Oct and is slower but scenic (~5.5 h) if you have time
Day 5-9 – Lucerne
Explore the beautiful city including the Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, nearby Mount Pilatus or Rigi excursions, or take a lake boat cruise.
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