We will be taking the trin from Zurich (maybe the Bernina Express) to Lugano. Then somehow we want to get to Lake Como and Lake Magiorre. Would it be better to just stay in Lugano for a few days and take boats over to see Lake Como and Lake Lugano? It seems like Switzerland is more into train travel than Italy is. It doesn't look as though we could take a train directly to Lake Como or Lake Magiorre anyway. Also, has anybody taken the Bernina Express out of Zurich?
Posted by
Merritt Island, Florida, USA
122 posts
The Bernina express goes through some spectacular scenery, however it doesn't start in Zurich or go to Lugano. It starts in Chur and ends at Tirano, Italy.
You would have to change train in Chur and take a bus from Tirano to Lugano. However there are trains that go directly from Zurich to Lugano (different route) in less than 3hrs.
You can go be train from Lugano to the city of Como, Italy (on Lake Como) in 30 to 50 minutes or you could take a bus to Mennagio, italy (also on Lake Como). You can train to Locarno on Lake Maggiore from Lugano in about 50 minutes. Italy has wonderful train service, but travel can be limited by geographic features such as mountains and large lakes.
Posted by
Yorkshire, UK
264 posts
We trained from Zurich to Lugano with the intent of going the other way back into Switzerland (Taking bus Lugano-Tirano and then Bernina Express).
The Bernina Express was a nice experience, I think looking back on that specific train voyage the architecture/engineering of the track itself might have been most impressive and you couldn't see it from the train. Just one man's opinion.
I will say the train ride from Zurich to Lugano was nearly as impressive as the Bernina Express just not in a fancy carriage with huge windows (that actually caused more glare). I believe the ride from Zurich to Lugano is part of what is called the William Tell Express (so it has it's own special name too)