I will be in the Provence area in late Aug until early Sept for a painting trip and I thought about taking the train to Switzerland for extra 5 days before flying out of Zurich back to the States. I'd like to squeeze in taking the Bernina Express. Would 5 days suffice or do I really need at least 9 days? I thought about stopping in Lake Geneva first to break up the train ride. Any recommendations on how I should do this trip independently? Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Posted by
Green Bay
20093 posts
Where in Provence are you coming from? If you go to Lake Geneva area first, you then have to either go to Italy (Milan), then up to Tirano to take the Bernina Express, or to Zurich then to Chur to get the BE, then probably turn around and come back to Chur to get to Zurich. Another option is to take the Glacier Express from Brig to Chur (or continue on to St Moritz by the same route).
Have you checked trains from Provence to Milan?
There are lots of possible permutations to do this.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Sam, thanks for the reply to my post. I would be coming from Marseille. Honestly, I thought about doing Cinque Terre from Marseille for those extra days but I figured I'd need some relief from the heat at that time by going north so therefore I decided Switzerland. I really would like to experience the Bernina Express but if I don't have enough time, perhaps I'll let the idea go for this time around.
Posted by
Green Bay
20093 posts
Here is a plan.
Marseille to Montreux with transfers in Lyon and Geneva. Night in Montreux. 5 1/2 hours travel time.
Montreux to Pontresina with transfers in Brig and Samedan. Night in Pontresina. This route includes the Glacier Express from Brig to Samedan (requires seat reservation fee). Night in Pontresina. 8 1/2 hours travel time
Pontresina to Tirano, with 2 hours in Tirano (lunch time) then Tirano to Chur. Both directions Bernina Express (seat reservation required), then to Zurich HB. Night in Zurich.
Notice that is only 3 nights out of 5 available, so you could spend an extra night in Montreux, and an extra night in Pontresina. In fact you could leave the luggage at hotel in Pontresina, go to Tirano and back, spend another night in Pontresina, then a shorter travel day to Zurich.
Since the Bernina Express charges seat reservation fees, you can choose to take regular trains for some or all of these. Less crowded, windows that open, and the exact same scenery.
BTW, Pontresina is consensus a much more attractive town than St Moritz, but if you want to see St Moritz, that works as well.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Sam, thank you for this thoughtful recommendation! I'll look into it.