Seeing Switzerland starting and ending in Milan

based on minimizing travel time

Just to be sure - you would prefer faster travel in tunnels than slightly slower or slower travel with beautiful views? Is that right?

Any answer is right as long as it is yours. Knowing that helps plan the routes for you...

Hi Nigel. I don't mind adding some time to the trip for spectacular views but I wouldn't want to turn a 2 hour ride into 4 hours. I'm open to all ideas though. Thanks for asking.

I would just do Bern as a day trip from Luzern. I don’t think 2 days are needed there and it would keep you from changing hotels, which is time consuming.
How are you traveling from Lake Como? I’d recommend the Bernina Express train over to St Moritz for an overnight stay, then pick up the Glacier Express. I thought being on a train for so long would be boring, but the scenery was magnificent. I thought St Moritz was gorgeous, and was glad I stopped there. I also did Lugano as a day trip from Como, which I also thought was gorgeous. I love the juxtaposition of the water and the mountains in Lugano, St Moritz and Lake Como. Such a scenic country with so much to see. Headed there in less than a month.. Your trip sounds amazing. Enjoy!

Good point about Bern- I think a day visit may be best. I don't feel the need for the long scenic route since I'll be in Murren for 4 nights and will have plenty of time in the Alps.

So knowing that I start the trip in Como (Bellagio most likely) and will likely end the trip in Murren (and then train back to Milan from there) what 2-3 stops makes the most sense? I know most folks like Luzern over Zurich however I've spend 3 nights there already.

Zermatt seems to add a lot of travel time.

What I would do, day by day, is:
1. Bellagio - Ferry to Varenna - train to Pontresina (Bernina railway)
2. Pontresina
3. Train to Luzern, via Chur (Albula Railway)
4. Luzern
5. Luzern - Mürren, possibly via Bern if you want to see Bern, or with the scenic Luzern-Interlaken express
6. Mürren
7. Mürren
8. Mürren
9. Mürren-Milan

No train ride longer than 4.5 hours with that routing.

Edit: if you've been to Luzern before, then replace with Zürich if you like. Makes for even easier travels.

Thanks Balso. I am not familiar with Pontresina so I will check that out.

Hi Espo, I took the trains in Switzerland a few years back and I really like Alohalover’s idea of going to Tirano to take the Bernina Express ( the most scenic Swiss train route, in my opinion) up to Pontresina. From Pontresina you can hike on the level Morteratsch Glacier trail right from the train station at Morteratsch in about 45 minutes. Walking shoes are all that is needed. The medieval Swiss town of Zuoz makes a nice daytrip from Pontresina.
My other favorite scenic train route was between Lucerne and Interlaaken.
That fits in nicely with your plan to go on to Murren.
Have a fantastic trip!

Balso wrote while was checking train times. I would suggest the same stops and order of travel. Varenna or Bellagio to Pontresina, 3.5 hours. Pontresina to Luzern, 4.25 hours. Luzern to Mürren, 2.5 hours.

Those are all 3 nice villages or towns worthy of your time. Everyone I know who is familiar with Switzerland prefers Pontresina to,St. Moritz, which is more of an expensive ski resort.

Note that Varenna to Pontresina ( or St Moritz) is one the scenic Bernina route, recommended by 2 others. So that much is unanimous. You can ride either the named Bernina Express, or the regular regional trains that run hourly on the same tracks, with the same views.

Thank you Lola and Knkouns for the advice. One thing that I have found out is how fast hotels are booking up for fall. I have a feeling we are back to pre-pandemic levels of travel.