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Bernina Express or Glacier Express route

Big picture we are doing a Europe trip late June/early July 2025 with our two kids who will be 18 and 15. The general route plan is linear(ish) between northern Italy and Netherlands/Belgium. Flight hubs will be Amsterdam/Milano. For the Switzerland portion of this trip, we are looking for what you would call "iconic Swiss views/towns/feel" and would prefer to stay away from big cities, unless we need it for a train connection, which is totally fine. Really only plan on spending 3 nights in Switzerland on the way through. I know, we could spend weeks in Switzerland, but that could be said for any country in Europe. But we only have so much vacation time and $ and don't know when/if we will get back to Europe so trying to "get the most" we can from each stop.

I'm in the very early stages of planning/researching. Here is where I'm getting stuck a bit in Switzerland... From Milano (home base in northern Italy is Bologna but headed to Milano to head northeast from there) for this part, where is the recommended path, if you will, for going through Switzerland? Bernina Express sounds amazing and then stay in Churn area(ish), but that seems to be in my head more east of where we should be based on where we are long term headed, and forums seem to be directing me to Zurich after that which is not appealing to me. But could do long term train/overnight to our next leg and basically sleep/train it right through Zurich. Or, do we do the Glacier Express or portion of, and stay more western Switzerland and go through that way/area like Interlaken/Lauterbrunnen area (ish) then heading to next leg through Bern/Basel route?

Knowing we want more iconic Swiss experience, and would love to get in a hike or mountain view and see a "cute swiss town" which route is best. I think my US brain is telling me it will take forever to get from one place to another but then when I google train times from one area to another, it is like nothing! Ultimately, we will be going through eastern France and western Germany to our final leg to fly home, if that helps at all.

Thank you!!

Posted by
21020 posts

You can go the Bernina pass route and stop in Pontresina for a few days. It is in the mountains with plenty of hiking opportunities. Do not get hung up on the actual Bernina Express train, as it charges extra for seat reservations. there hourly regular trains on the same tracks. You do that train if you like.

By "Eastern France" I assume you mean Alsace. From Pontresina, that is a train to Chur, then Zurich, then Basel, then north from there.

Posted by
17275 posts

The Bernina Express is perfect for your short time in Switzerland. With only 3 nights you have only 2 full days, and you do NOT want to spend one of those riding the Glacier Express, which runs east-west, and does not help at all to get you from Italy to France. Your kids would be bored silly.

The Bernina Express runs north-south and even if it is in eastern Switzerland it is a good route for you. Take a look at this rail map of Switzerland:

https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/destinations/pontresina/

From Bologna head through Milan to Varenna on Lake Como and spend your last night in Italy there, instead of in Milan. Then head on north to Tirano and pick up the Bernina Express or a regular (and cheaper) regional train on the same tracks. Stop in the alpine village of Pontresina and spend 2 nights so you have a full day to hike, ride mountain lifts, and enjoy the scenery. With a 2-night hotel stay in the Engadine you get a free transport card that includes the mountain railways.

https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/destinations/pontresina/

https://www.chesa-mulin.ch/en/

(This hotel has a family room that sleeps 4).

Next day take the train to Luzern, not Zurich. It is a 4.5 hour ride from Pontresina. You can overnight here, or ride the boat 40 minutes to the lakeside town of Weggis and stay in a hotel on the lake with free kayaks for guests, and access to a swimming pool. They have a nice family room in the “turret” you see on the corner of the building in the photo.

https://www.gotthard-weggis.ch/en/

From Luzern it is only an hour to Basel, where you change trains for one taking you into France. There are direct trains from Basel to Paris, but maybe you wish to stop in Alsace on the way?

Posted by
14 posts

Thank you both for the recommendations! So it sounds like Pontresina is the place to stop and from what I can see, looks beautiful. I like the route from there and I think Luzerne sounds better than Zurich as a one night stop over. Or we may just go from Pontresina straight to Alsace, not sure.

Which brings up a question for both of you. Why do you both say Alsace when I talk about eastern France? Is that just where everyone goes? Strasbourg seems to be a popular place to stay for many with lots of good day trips available.

Thanks!

Posted by
21020 posts

If I were you, I would go straight to Alsace from Pontresina. From Pontresina to Basel is only 4 1/2 hours, then 45 minutes to Colmar, or 1 1/4 hours to Strasbourg. Luzern will require a bit of a detour, but if that is what you want, it is doable.

Just guessing as Alsace is the eastern most part of France, and is popular due to the beauty of its villages.

Posted by
33622 posts

Why do you both say Alsace when I talk about eastern France? Is that just where everyone goes? Strasbourg seems to be a popular place to stay for many with lots of good day trips available.

I would because Strasbourg is in Alsace, but there is plenty more to do in Alsace than Strasbourg.

Posted by
17275 posts

I like Sam’s idea of going straight to Alsace from Pontresina. We loved Colmar, stayi8ng in a small apartment right on the canal in Petite Venise. One of the apartments in the building is a 2-bedroom that would sleep your family very comfortably.

https://www.refletssurlalauch.fr/en

Posted by
14 posts

Thank you all for the responses! I think we will just go from Pontresina to Alsace area. Now to research this region next for where to stay and explore a bit. I actually think the bit longer train ride will give everyone a chance to just chill, nap, be on phones (traveling with teens, lol).... so it will be nice. Is there a good stop on the train route that you guys would recommend for popping off the train to eat lunch and stretch legs? I'm not well researched in train travel yet, still one of a million things to do on the list, but thinking we will want to grab a bite to eat and stretch, unless we grab some sandwiches or something for on the train.

Thanks guys!

Posted by
21020 posts

You will stop and change trains in Chur, Zurich, and Basel. So any one of those will work. On train travel, you can always get up and stretch your legs. The ride from Pontresina to Chur is very scenic and interesting and the rail line makes several loops and goes over the iconic Landwasser Viaduct (on every swiss travel poster). If you time it right, there is an IC train from Chur all the way to Basel. Since it is an IC train, it has a restaurant car.