Bernina Express Bus Segment

I'm confused- why would you go back to Switzerland from Tirano, once you've ridden the rail route from Chur to Tirano? I'm not aware of any recommendations to do this.
In Tirano, you arrive at the Swiss rail station, cross the plaza to the Italian rail station. You can then get a regional train to Milan. Note that on the way from Tirano to Milan, you pass right through Varenna, Lake Como. I'd highly recommend some time in Varenna. Hope this helps!

Ps- riding the Bernina Express route , on the regional, not panaoramic, trains is one of the highlights of my travels adventures. Enjoy!

The bus goes on the west shore of Lake Como and the rail line goes on the east shore. This summer, the rail line is being worked on so there is a rail replacement bus from Tirano to Colico, at the beginning of Lake Como where you transfer to the train to Milano Centrale. As such, you will be riding a bus either way you go.

Thanks for the replies. Pat, I was confused because the RS Switzerland book indicates that the Bernina Express goes from Lugano to Chur, part by bus part by train. Nothing I was reading made it sound like the Lugano-Tirano segment was particularly noteworthy, so I couldn't figure out what I was missing. Looks like we'll get off the train in Tirano and head toward Milan with no regrets.

Meredith,

I've travelled in the opposite direction from Lugano to Tirano, and thought the ride was fairly scenic. As I recall, the bus makes one stop for passengers to use the WC and buy a coffee.

I think which route to choose will depend to some extent on your overall Itinerary. If you'd like to spend a night or two in Lugano to see the town and do some sightseeing in that area, then taking the bus would be a good option. If you'd rather skip Lugano and get to Milano as quickly as possible, then plan to travel directly from Tirano to Milano. You could also stop in Varenna for a night or two on the way, if you're not in a hurry to get to Milan.

To clear up a few confusions:

The Bernina Railway goes from st. Mortiz to Tirano.

On the Bernina Railway there are two types of trains: The regular trains, and the "Bernina Express" trains. The regular trains all do st. Moritz - Tirano. The Bernina Express trains (there are several) do the same, except for one or two trains that is extended to Chur over the Albula Railway. (Of course the Albula Railway also has regular trains, so no issue doing Chur - Tirano at any time of your convenience...)

The traction for the Bernina Express trains is provided by conventional train sets, which means that you do not need a Bernina Express reservation to travel on them. You only need the reservation for the panoramic cars. If you sit in the front, in the train set that pulls the train, then you only need a ticket (or a pass that is valid).

Once a day there is a bus from Tirano to Lugano that connects to one of the Bernina Express services. That is why some believe that the Bernina Express goes from Chur to Lugano.

But you can ignore that bus. If you want to travel Zurich to Milano via the Bernina Railway you need:
- A ticket Zurich - Tirano via Chur.

- A ticket Tirano - Milano.

You can buy both from SBB, at the station in Zurich or on line, or you can buy the second ticket from Trenord.
If you have a Swiss Travel Pass it will cover the part till Tirano, if you have an Eurail Pass it will cover the whole trip.

If you then want to ride the panorama cars on the Bernina Express you also additionally need a reservation, which you can get on www.rhb.ch

Thanks so much for the info. This definitely clears up my confusion. We'll take the trains from Zurich to Tirano, spend the night there, then head to Milan on another train the next day.

I wouldn't spend the night in Tirano. It is not that interesting a place. Maybe spend the night in Pontresina (in Switzerland) or in Varenna.

If we are staying in Lenno, and want to ride the train round trip from Tirano to St.Moritz and back to Tirano, what is the best form of transportation from Lenno to Tirano and back to Lenno? We are not against a hired driver if that is the easiest and fastest.

Lenno is on the wrong side for an easy trip to the Bernina Railway. But you could take a boat to Varenna, or a bus to Colico, and plan from there. If you want an interesting trip do not do Tirano - st. Moritz and back, but continue from st. Moritz by bus to Chiavenna, and then down by train back to Colico and Varenna.

Just so I understand this... We are coming to Switzerland in a year, and planned on taking the Bernina Express to Tirano . Then, local train to Varenna. But when I plugged it in on Rome 2Rio app, the train went to Milan, then back to Lake Como. I see "Sam" mentioned the tracks are getting maintenance this summer. So, we should be able to take the local train next year? I was so confused.....I can see the train tracks on the map! THANKS!