My mom's goals are to see mountains, cows, the pastures of Bern where her grandparents farmed, and ride the Bernina route. First class seats on Bernina Express in August are mainly sold out in the mornings during our week there. I've read about Abula line over Express during summer months due to ability to open windows, so I am interested in hearing opinions. Is that another line altogether? On the SBB app, I can see options to get from one place to another, but is the Rhaetian Railway a completely different rail option that is not included in SBB timetables?
My mom is 80, so we will mostly be looking at mountains from a terrace or observation deck. Walks of less than 1 mile or Bolt/bus/taxi options when distance is any further. Flat walking options are also somewhat important. Here are tentative plans, but I am trying to determine order of efficiency. I am a bit stuck on where to position the Bernina Express (or Abula line, not necessarily express). Tentative itinerary is:
Day 1: Zurich Airport to Lucerne
Day 2: Lucerne/Rigi
Day 3: Lucerne to Interlaken via Interlaken Express. Stay in Wilderswil or Interlaken
Day 4: Interlaken-Chur-Tirano on Bernina line. Too much? Is there a better arrangement of our itinerary to incorporate the Bernina line? The only fixed components of the entire trip are arrival and departure.
Day 5: Back to Lucerne. Stay on Lake Lucerne for final evening.
Day 6: Lucerne to Zurich airport for midday flight to Budapest.