My 17 year old daughter and I are traveling in Switzerland and northern Italy for 9 days in June. I would like to get from Lucerne to Bellagio on Lake Como and have heard the Bernina Express is amazing. I'm a novice at European travel and would like advice from more seasoned travelers as to if this is possible and if it's recommended. Help!! :-)
Posted by
Green Bay
21141 posts
In one day it might be difficult if you want to ride the actual Bernina Express with panoramic cars. Can be done in a day if you just take regular trains, which some prefer as the windows open for better camera shots and no reservation supplement is required. Or in 2 days by going to Chur the night before and taking the morning Bernina Express to Tirano.
Schedule and pricing info at www.sbb.ch/en.
Start in Luzern to Varenna-Esino via Chur. Make sure you get to Varenna in time to get a ferry to Bellagio, and be aware that in Tirano you must change stations by walking across a piazza to the Trenord station and have time to buy your ticket.
http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/c_orari.asp
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
See the same question running on this thread, from a different poster.
Posted by
OP
Illinois, USA
3 posts
Our other option is taking a more direct train/ferry from Luzern to Bellagio. I'm not sure if it's worth the extra time and money to go out of the way either by a regular train or the Bernina Express. Any thoughts on this?
Posted by
OP
Illinois, USA
3 posts
Thank you, Laura!