Bern to Milan

Take the train. One change in Zürich needed to get to Milan.

From Bern it is shorter to go via Spiez and Brig to reach MIlan.

Direct trains take a little over three hours between Bern and Milan. They go via Spiez and Brig, but no need to change trains.

I concur, just take the train. No need to go via Zürich, that is the wrong direction.

Look it up on the SBB (Swiss Railways) website: https://www.sbb.ch/en
There is one direct train per day (13:34 depart Bern, 16:40 arrive Milano Centrale) otherwise options every hour with changes which take longer, all use the same route (via Spiez, Brig and Domodossola).

Are you actually starting in Bern, or somewhere else near Bern? If so, enter that as your start location in the SBB website.

True, no need to go via Zürich. I'm not sure what I though about. Mea culpa.

We changed trains in Spiez coming from Interlaken (to Milan). Very easy. And we had time to hit the Coop for a sandwich, chips and soda for the remainder of the trip!!! Love Coop!!!