rshah

I am visiting Switzerland in Mid March. I am taking the Bernina Express from Tirano, Italy towards St. Moritz. I reach St Moritz at 11:10AM and have the entire day to reach Interlaken before 9PM. I am trying to plan this day and would really appreciate any suggestions. From little that I know, I could think of two possible alternatives.

1)St Moritz to Chur, Chur to Lucerne and catch the Golden Pass at 5:55PM from lucerne to Interlaken. Does it make sense to catch Golden Pass this late in the day?

2)St Moritz to Chur, Chur to Brig, Brig to Interlaken. Based on the current schedule, I cannot catch the Glacier Express but I can still use the local regional trains.

Any other route you might recommend? My only goal is to reach Interlaken before 9PM.

PalenQ

Chur to Zurich and then direct to Interlaken could be as quick or quicker than via Lucerne though in Lucerne yes you can go up and over the Brunig Pass and even in March I believe there will be enough daylight left to appreciate this IMO really scenic way into Interlaken.

Check out these sites for lots of great info on Swiss trains (and passes and half-fare cards, etc one of which you may want) - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.seqat61.com and www.ricksteves.com - the second site has nice info on the Bernina Pass rail route and Golden Pass as well. For my money the route via Lucerne to Interlaken is more scenic than the more ho-hum IMO route via Brig and probably quicker as well.

PalenQ

The Golden Pass is just one of many trains on the Lucerne to Interlaken-Ost route - regular trains obviously going over the same tracks have the same scenery sans the observation cars in first class (perhaps GP cars in 2nd class now have domed observation cars as well) and recorded commentary en route.

Point is I would not wait too long just to take the official GP but if it is the next possible train yeh go for it.

rshah

Thanks PalenQ for the helpful tips. Yes, my initial thought was taking the lucerne route as well. I am not waiting for GP, rather the 5:55pm train is pretty much the next possible train from lucerne to interlaken.

clevelandbrown

I think the most scenic route is from Tirano to Chur to Andermatt to Luzern to Interlaken. Unfortunately, this takes 12 hours and in March the days are short. I'd take this route, but overnight in Chur. This uses the route of the Bernina express and part of the route of the Glacier express. I would take regular trains rather than the Bernina express and Glacier express. The scenery is the same and the cost is less. Second class saves some money and the clientele is friendlier. Stop in the grocery in the train station (Chur has a big one) and buy the makings of a picnic lunch.

How are you getting to Tirano? The bus from Lugano does not run in the winter.

PalenQ

rshas not that the quickest route Lucerne to Interlaken may well be that via Bern but not nearly as scenic so do take the Brunig Pass route the GP train takes - when it rolls along Lake Brienz into Interlaken you have really fantastic scenery.

rshah

Thanks again PalenQ.

clevelandbrown - I am taking a train from Venice to Tirano via Milan. Staying overnight in Tirano and catching the Bernina express at 8:50AM.

PalenQ

You need a seat reservation to ride the Bernina Express, with a Swiss or Eurailpass it costs several Swiss francs but is mandatory and as these trains are popular with tour groups they can book up - make the reservation ahead of time IMO.

rshah

Yes, I already made the reservation. I have a question for Swiss trains. Is it cheaper to buy the swiss train tickets in advance (like Italy) or is it pretty much the same no matter when I buy?

PalenQ

pretty much the same once there though if you scour www.sbb.ch the Swiss Feceral Railways official site once in a while they may have some temporary discount on selected lines or perhaps a day pass, etc - but generally no not generally like in Italy and France. Calculate your regular fares at www.sbb.ch and compare with the Swiss Pass (consecutive-day passes much cheaper per day then flexipasses but with flexipasses you get 50% off pretty much everything that moves in Switzerland in between the first and last flexible 100% covered travel days - 3-day flexi being the minimum vs the Half-Fare Card which costs about 135 Swiss fraancs I believe or about $150 to start then you get half off everything for one month.

PalenQ

Staying overnight in Tirano and catching the Bernina express at 8:50AM.>

I have stayed overnight in Tirano and found it if not the most gorgeous town itself - rather ramshackle in truth - found it really interesting - situated in a narrow gap thru the Alps that is a major transit route for trucks - be sure your hotel room does not face one of the major arteries.