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Zurich to Como by train - Bernina exp 9 hrs or Lugano 3hrs & which village to stay for few days?

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Deciding best route from Lake Como area to Zurich via train to fly home.
Bernina Express is called 1 of the most scenic on earth but is it worth 3X more in train time when we are limited to a few days compared to Lugano to Zurich which is only 3 hours. I know the train is part of the experience especially with the all glass views.
My Questions:
1) Bernina Express ~9 hours train vs Lugano train ~3 hours
2) if Bernina. stay in St Moritz or Pontresina- looking for quaint village lux spa is nice too
2) Which town-to spend 2-3 day close to zurich to be close to airport but still quaint village vibes instead of city?
3) 1 night St Moritz/Pontersina
4) 2-3 nights somewhere between Chur & Zurich? whats close by train but also scenic?

OR
5) Go lugano way- not as scenic as Bernina Express but saves 6 hours for time to stay somewhere in Berne Oberland region more time to visit and explore?
^) what towns are close to zurich but quaint traditional village vibes to explore for a few days? Lucerne? other towns along train?

Basically both are beautiful and I know train is part of adventure but would you go more direct and have more time to explore or the more scenic and longer Bernina and if so where would you stay along the way
Thanks in advance I know its an obsessive amount of questions haha

Posted by
146 posts

When are you traveling?

We just did the Bernia Express from St. Moritz to Lugano. I would NOT suggest the bus from Lugano to Tirano where you catch the train. It’s long and not a pleasant ride - bus was warm - the lake views were nice but if you are doing Lake Como - it doesn’t add much. Also getting from Lake Como to Lugano is not that easy unless your stay in Mennagio (not sure about transportation from other Cities on that side of the lake). We ended hiring a private taxi to get us to Bellagio from Lugano which was expensive. If you are in Lake Como - take the train from Varenna to Tirano and board the train there. The BE is a very nice train and worth it IMHO. We also did the Glacier express from Brig to St. Moritz. It was nice but not as scenic this time of year (would definitely be gorgeous in the winter). We stayed two nights between the two trains to have a full day in St. Moritz. I would suggest Pontersina as you can debark there on the BE.

We spent a week in BO region in Wengen - it was awesome! If had to trade off spending time BO versus doing the panorama train - I would pick the BO region.

Posted by
10 posts

thanks @Kim great points. now im debating Lake Como to Bernina train or maybe just spend whole time in Switzerland and see the BO region? so many good choices im overwhelmed but in a good way haha

Posted by
5604 posts

Odds and ends-
IMHO, The Bernina Express route is very worth it, but you can take the regional trains on the same tracks as the panorama train, and have more flexible schedule options.
If you stay in Varenna, Hotel Du Lac is our favorite, and you can train from Varenna to Tirano, and catch the BE train there.

https://www.kronenhof.com/en/#
Above is a luxury hotel in Pontressina , and pretty sure you can have a spa experience there.

I think you're repeating questions from another thread.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/7-10-days-lake-como-to-st-moritz-via-bernina-train-or-como-to-lugano-or-venice

Oct 28- Nov 5, right?

I know it's challenging planning it on your own, especially when you've never been there. Your trip will be great whatever you chose, and you can always return!

Good luck!

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