We are two couples who will be traveling together after a Rhine River cruise in September. We are in the beginning stages of planning our trip after the cruise and are in need of assistance. The cruise ends in Basel but we are not planning on staying overnight. We want to stay in Murren for 4 nights and then on to Lucerne for 2 nights. Is it feasible to visit Appenzell as a day trip from Lucerne or do we need to add a night in Appenzell? After Lucerne our plan is to take the train to Varenna. We would like to ride the Bernina Express train. Since we will be traveling by train what is the best rail pass to buy? Also, is it best to go from Basel to Murren or from Basel to Lucerne? We would appreciate any help!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17418 posts
You have the correct order of travel now---Basel to Mürren to Luzern to the Bernina Express route to Varenna.
Personally I would skip the daytrip to Appenzell and spend the full day around Luzern, maybe with the boat/cogwheel train/ cablecar trip up Rigi:
Www.rigi.ch
If you really want time in Appenzell can you add a day?
From Luzern or Appenzell area you head to Chur to pick up the Bernina Express. I would spend a night ( or two) in one of the villages of the Engadine right on the route. Rick suggests Pontresina which is fine and very scenic. When we did this exact route last September we spent two night in nearby Samedan--- a smaller village but less expensive. It is midway between Pontresina and St. Moritz--- also a great place to stay if you are high-end travelers.
From your village in the Engadine, you ride the Bernina express route to Tirano and change there to an Italian train which goes right to Varenna. Make sure you know when to disembark--- they did not announce the stop when we rode that train.
The scenery on the Bernina Express is absolutely fantastic---- and I say that as a "jaded" Swissophile who has spent considerable in the Swiss Alps and ridden most of the so-called scenic routes. This is the best!
Note that you have a choice between the designated Bernina Express trains with special cars, and the regular regional trains which are more frequent and ride the same tracks. We rode the latter and had a car almost to ourselves, which was great, because I could move back and forth across the aisle to see the views out both sides.
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Thank you so much for your input!
I am just wondering why not a day trip to Appenzell? Is it too far for a day trip? We will definitely look into possibly staying a night in one of the villages in the Upper Engadine area on our way down to Varenna. We are not high end travelers in the least so will be looking at moderately priced places to stay in the Engadine area. So if we add an extra day- Appenzell or Upper Engadine (Pontresina or Samedan)?
Posted by
OP
13 posts
We have tweaked our itinerary. We are now thinking of going from Lucerne to Pontresina for an overnight. Then we will continue on Bernina Express train. My question is do we change trains in Tirano to Varenna then ferry to Bellagio? Or is therre a better route to Bellagio? Would appreciate any help! Thanks.
Posted by
Green Bay
21140 posts
The Trenord station is directly across the piazza from the Rhaetian Bahn station in Tirano. Less than 100 meters. Yes, that would be the easiest way to get to Bellagio. Walk down hill from Varenna-Esino station to the ferry dock.
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Thank you Sam! If we did not overnight in Pontresina, we would be leaving from Lucerne. What would be the best train route to Bellagio from Lucerne? Also, if we did not overnight in Pontresina we are thinking of staying 3 nights instead of 2 in Lucerne. Any suggestions on which is best .....Pontresina or extra night in Lucerne? Thanks!