Hi,
We are planning to take a regional train along the Bernina Express route in July from Chur to Tirano (stop for lunch) and then the bus from Tirano to Lugano, all in the same day. I'm a bit confused about the regional train vs the panoramic train. Do both leave at the same time (8:32 am)? Is it simply a matter of regular train cars vs panoramic cars? We do not plan to stop over anywhere along the trip from Chur to Tirano. Do we need a reservation for the bus from Tirano to Lugano?
There is only one bus per day, and it is by reservation only. Since it is a continuation of the Bernina Express Panorama train from Chur, they may only give reservations to those who have also booked that train, but I don't really know.
https://www.rhb.ch/en/panoramic-trains/bernina-express#info
Is it simply a matter of regular train cars vs panoramic cars?
The Bernina Express and the regional trains are different trains, at different times, running on the same tracks.
As I look closer at this, yes, you can apparently book the bus only, at this site.
https://shop.rhb.ch/en/catalog/product/view/id/18
Put in From: Tirano
Put in To: Lugano, Stazione Nord
Your desired date.
Price shows as 34 CHF plus 16 CHF seat reservation = 50 CHF.
You would need to take the earlier regional train at 7:58 am from Chur that includes 2 connections, at Samedan and Pontresina.