Options for catching Bernina Express in Switzerland

Tim, You've chosen one of the very most fantastic train rides on Earth. Congratulations. How far do you want to go on the route? Which attractions along the route call to you? The Landwasser Viaduct? Sankt Moritz? Davos? The glacier? Walks into the woods or rocks? Frozen lakes? Valley views? Mountain views? 3 different voltages trains? Spiral tunnels in the mountain? A spiral bridge? The ancient stations at Samedan and other places? The reason I ask these questions is that all these things and more can be discovered on that route. When I know what lights your wick I can get the flame going. It may be that you are the type who likes to sit in posh comfy seats with air-conditioning and floor to ceiling sealed windows complete with minions to bring you wine and food at your beck and call, and a pa to tell you what you're seeing, surrounded by other international tourists. Or you may, like me, be thrilled by being in the engine part the train, hearing the gears and cogs grind, hard seats, windows open for head sticking out, camera sticking out, inhaling the alpine air (and occasional dust, pollen or insect), getting on and off along the way (took me 4 days to do most of the system, hiking, walking, photographing the trains in station, listening, etc.,), and generally making a nuisance of myself. Depending on what you want to see and do might dictate how much of the run you want to do. There is a service from Chur to Tirano every hour. Some are Bernina Express, some are locals which take the same time and through, many are locals which go as far as Poschiavo then change to a bus to Tirano. The only thing you will miss that way is the spiral bridge and running down the mountain into olive groves and along the street. What say ye?

Nigel - We're definitely not the "posh" type, but I don't know that we're quite the "cogs and gears" type either. Somewhere in between. As for what we want to see, we're mostly after the views. We've never really been through the mountains before, so it'll be a new experience for us. As I said, we're essentially making this a day trip - leaving Chur in the morning and getting to the Lake Como area (maybe Varenna) that night. Right now, I'm thinking of going as far as Tirano and then catching a regional train to Varenna. So we're up for whatever we can fit in until the last train leaves to Varenna (which likely isn't much, I know). Charming towns or short hikes to get to great views would be things we'd consider to be worthwhile stops. Tim

Tim, I agree with Nigel - the Bernina Express is a fantastic trip through some incredible scenery (A UNESCO world heritage site). Hopefully you'll get better weather than I experienced last year (it was still a nice trip)!!! In those circumstances, I'd travel from Munich to Chur the day before your journey on the BE (which will be as short as 4H:25M with 1 change). If you use the 07:25 departure, you'll arrive in Chur in mid-afternoon, and will have a chance to briefly look around the town (there are a few interesting sights). You might consider This Hotel as it's in a good location with some restaurants nearby, and not too far from the station. After arrival in Tirano, transfer to the regular trains for the trip to Varenna. That trip is an easy 1H:26M with no changes. I believe the Bernina Express arrives at 12:38, so you may be able to make the 13:10 departure (if not, it will be a two hour wait - schedules subject to change of course). Note that your destination station will be Varenna-Esino. Happy travels!