Hello all,
I didn't see a similar thread so I hope this hasn't already been answered.
After spending a few days enjoying the Gimmelwald area, we plan to head to the Lake Como/Lugano area. I have looked on the Swiss rail site and it looks possible to get down to the Glacier Express route (on regional), over to the Bernina Express route (on regional), down to Ticino, and back over to Lugano all in one day. I realize this is something like 12 hours of train riding plus some bus time. Maybe more. We have the freedom of taking an extra day if we feel like, but I'd like to get most of the way. The thing that makes me panic a bit is the 7-11 minutes between train connections. Is it possible to de-train, get to another platform, and board another train in such a short time?
Otherwise could someone offer an equally beautiful and architecturally impressive route?
Thanks!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
That train connection time is pretty standard in Switzerland and you may often find your next train just on the other side of the platform. Some schedules published through DB or SBB will indicate the platform number in advance. When I made a 6-connection trip along the Bernina route (from Lake Como to Appenzell), my connections were very smooth. (I never even got around to stopping for lunch because I never missed a connection.) But you probably don't want the last train in your plan to be the last train of the day; allow enough cushion to miss at least one of the connections.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
7-11 minutes between trains is not something that would worry me. That is normal for trains, and with Swiss railway timing should not be a problem if you get off the train as soon as it stops. Trains are not planes and railway stations are not airports.
But, there is only one bus a day from Tirano to Lugano. Timetable here. It leaves Tirano at 14:22, Lugano at 17:30.
Are you sure all your timing will get you to Tirano in time to catch this bus?
Posted by
Green Bay
21140 posts
Can't be done. Go to Luzern (over the Bruennig Pass) then pick up the main line route over the Gotthard Pass. An alternate would be to Brig, then the first part of the GE to Andermatt then Goeschenen and pick up the main line to Lugano. For added scenery, take the Loetschberg Pass route between Spiez and Brig.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17418 posts
You say you can add a day and I would advise that to enjoy the whole route. Day one head from Gimmelwald to brig to catch the GE or a regional train to St. Moritz. Spend the night there or in a nearby village on the BE route, like Pontresina. Day 2 take the BE or a regional train to Tirano. From there, instead of the BE bus to Lugano, you could take the train to Varenna, ferry across the lake to Menaggio (15 minute ride) and then have a shorter bus ride to Lugano:
http://www.menaggio.com/ita/e-lakes/Orari_bus.pdf
Make sure you understand the codes as some buses do not run every day.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta
2 posts
Thanks for the responses! Glad to know I should be able to make each train change.
I like the train to Varenna/ ferry/ shorter bus ride idea.
Double check me here: I would be catching the bus on Monday Sept 14 in Menaggio. Am I reading the time table you linked correctly; that I could hop on the bus at 10:37am that day? Am I missing a "except for Mondays" clause somewhere?