For our first trip to Switzerland, we arrive in Zurich at noon (from Seattle) and would like to take the train to Chur then the Bernina Express from Chur stopping at St Moritz spending the night there and then the next day, round trip to Tirano back to Chur and then to Lucerne by train same day. Any practical (or not) advice would be appreciated. Our RS tour starts in Lucerne a couple of days later.
From Lucerne we hope to take the all day round trip by ferry & train to Mt. Rigi. Any other can't miss to do in Lucerne would be very much appreciated.
Thanks for the suggestions!
Posted by
Paris
6901 posts
I would not spend the night in St Moritz, which is not very charming despite the great views - lots of big hotels, lots of concrete buildings.
Samedan would be a better stop IMO, or Pontresina.
And you say your tour starts "a couple of days later": if at all possible, I would spend two nights in that area, because there are things to see and do in that area besides the Bernina railway.
One pre-tour night in Luzern is enough to do the Rigi excursion, as I am sure that the tour will cover Luzern highlights (the city proper only takes a few hours to visit).
Posted by
Green Bay
20100 posts
How many days from the time you until the tour start? You could go from the airport to Pontresina if you are not hung up on doing the actual Bernina Express train. No reservation fee, same scenery. You could do the actuasl Bernina express to Tirano and back, and on the way back to Luzern if you like. What is your ticket strategy? Swiss trains are expensive..
Posted by
San Diego, California
4710 posts
Perhaps my 2021 Swiss Trip Report will have some helpful info.
We found the Swiss cities to be in the 80's in the summers, but the peaks quite brisk, so be prepared for both types of weather.
Have a wonderful trip !
Posted by
OP
Sequim, WA
15 posts
Thanks so much for the replies/suggestions! We are concerned about jet-lag hitting us that arrival day, though our only four times to Europe ( Madrid, Naples, Prague, Paris) from Seattle, lag has only got us once, into Madrid. We are trying to pack light, carry-on’s, and make the most of our time in Switzerland, while pacing ourselves….(so much to do, so little time).