We would like to take the scenic Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano, stay overnight, then return Tirano to Chur the next morning (where our car will be waiting). But it looks like there is only 1 train per day, and the schedule is not convenient. Are there other trains making the same scenic trip with more flexible schedules? We don't want to end up on a train that is taking a lower route (without the views).
Posted by
York, PA
300 posts
You can research all of the connetions at http://www.sbb.ch/en . Once you get the detail schedule showing changes, click on the train number to see the specific route
For the scenery you want a route that passes through Preda between Chur and Samedan or St. Moritz and through Alp Grüm between Pontresina or St.Moritz and Tirano.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16385 posts
Trains run on that route (the same tracks used by the designated Bernina Express) hourly. There may be only one that connects with the bus from Tirano to Lugano, which completes the BE route, but if you are only going as far as Tirano you'll have lots of choices in each direction.
Posted by
Texas
518 posts
Hi Gail,
As a previous poster stated, there are trains that take the same route between Chur and Lugano. The BE is a special train (It's red) with big windows. The regular trains run frequently. A bus connects Lugano with Tirano. The bus runs once per day in each direction.
We did that last summer, but in the Tirano to Chur direction. Actually, the bus was the best part. It goes along Lake Como through villages on VERY narrow roads and lots of BIG vehicles. At one point the bus driver got out to guide two buses that missed each other by about an inch -- no exageration.
Anyway, you could take the regular train from Chur to Lugano and then return, omitting the bus portion to Tirano. You will see the same thing, just not from big windows. Perhaps the schedule would let you take the BE one way and the regular train the other.
How much time do you have on your trip? I would consider the return along the same route to be a waste of time. While the trip was OK, we wished we had spent our time otherwise. To repeat the same trip the next day would have been frustrating. The idea of the scenic train turned out to be more enticing than the real experience. Just something to think about. Have a great trip!
Posted by
OP
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
12 posts
Thomas, are you saying that the Bernina Express train trip is not very scenic? It sounds fantastic in Rick's book. The purpose of taking it in both directions is basically to get back to our car. But we thought that it might also be interesting to see the views in both directions and at different times of day. We would skip this part of Switzerland if it's really not worthwhile.
Posted by
Texas
518 posts
Hi Gail,
Well, the scenery was very nice. I would not rate it as amazing. My wife and I both agree that while we enjoyed it, we wouldn't do it again. I really wouldn't want to spend two days. Especially with a car, you are going to see many amazing sites. How many trains have you taken in Europe? That might make a difference too. We were traveling exclusively by train last year, so maybe the BE train experience wasn't as unique as if it were our first ride. Unlike a lot of other posters, I didn't particularly like the trains. We should have rented a car like we usually do.
I would personally head staight for the Berner Oberland region. The scenery in that part of Switzerland is wonderful as are the small villages.
If I can help you any more, let me know.