Tirano to Como

Why not just take the train from Tirano to Varenna? If you do not care to stay right on the lake in Varenna, you can ride a ferry over to Menaggio, or to Bellagio.

From Chur to Pontresina you do not need to travel on the Bernina Express. There are hourly trains on that route and they all travel over the same rails, show the same scenery. And even though there is a train called "Bernina Express" that starts in Chur, the Bernina Railway only starts in Pontresina...

After Tirano, if you want to spend some time on lake Como I would spend it in Varenna. If you absolutely want to go to Como a nice way to do this would be to take the train from Tirano till Colico, and board a boat to Como there.

Note also that if you want to go to Como by train there is no need to go all the way to Milano. Look up schedules on www.trenitalia.com and you will see. Usually you will be changing trains in Monza.

We stayed in Varenna 2 years ago and we loved it there. We were there in November so not a lot open. Como is not nearly as interesting as Varenna or Bellagio. Our preference would be Bellagio over Menaggio unless you are among the super-rich who can afford the gorgeous $1K+ per night hotels; then I would be sure you would love it. You can take the ferry often from Varenna to Bellagio and there is one also to Como. It is a long trip and not quite as inspiring—more like a city bus ride.

Thanks for the information!