We are taking the train tomorrow from Varenna to Tirano and have a connection on Swiss Rail (SBB) to St Moritz. Is there a separate train station? We have our ticket but it’s not clear. I believe the Bernina Express uses the same rails but we are on a region Swiss Train. Any help would be appreciated.
Posted by
Green Bay
21274 posts
They are different stations. The Italian regional train arrives at Tirano Nord station where Nord refers to the train operator, Trenord, not its location. The RhB station is directly across the piazza from the front of the Nord station. How long is the connection time? If you miss your Swiss regional train, you will be able to board the next one, unless it is a named Bernina Express train. In that case you would need to purchase a seat reservation.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17577 posts
The stations are connected; just follow the signs for the short walk from Italy over the border to Switzerland.
Posted by
OP
Tacoma, WA, USA
630 posts
Thank you so much for your reply’s. I thought I had read that they were two different stations. I am assuming you can see the Swiss station from the Trenord station. have a pretty tight connection in about 10 minutes. Hopefully the train from Varenna will be on time.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Click here for Google streetview of both stations.
The yellow building on the left is the Trenord station where you will arrive.
The white building on the right with the flag outside is the RhB station from which you will leave.
For the first section the Bernina Line runs through the streets of Tirano. The border is a few Km outside Tirano. There are Swiss and Italian customs officers at the RhB station, they just watch everybody and stop nobody.
Posted by
OP
Tacoma, WA, USA
630 posts
Our train from Varenna arrived on time, super easy connection (thanks to your help), we had an entire car to ourselves, and the ride was beautiful. We’re on the train now getting ready to head back to Tirano.
St Moritz is pretty much shut down for the break but the TI was super friendly and helpful, we walked around, had a cappuccino and my husband enjoyed Devils Place (largest whiskey bar in the world they say).
As a day trip from Varenna it’s about 12 hours round trip door to door. We bought all our tickets before we left home (Swiss rail didn’t like visa but took American Express), $35 USD PP RT Tirano-St Moritz. Highly recommend the regional train. The windows came down making for great pictures.
Thanks again.