Bernina Express from Chur at 8:58 a.m. What time to leave Zurich on train?
 

Hello,

We are thinking of taking the Bernina Express in March starting from Chur. We will arrive into Zurich the night before at about 10:30 in the night, so it is a little too late to take a train closer to Chur. There is a train from Zurich HB arriving into Chur at 8:43 a.m. I know Swiss trains are usually extremely good with time; however, are we taking to great a chance with this train? The train before this arrives into Chur at 7:45 a.m., requiring an even earlier departure, and a long wait in Chur.

I welcome any suggestions you may have.


Many thanks!

-Chels

15 minutes connecion time? That's largely enough. Chur is not a big staion either. I'm a little worried when it's only 5 minutes or so but even then that's usually fine.

The train from Zurich will arrive into Chur on Track 9. The Berninia departs on Track 10. These tracks are on the same platform; you just have to walk from one train to the next. They are designed to be connecting trains. I would not have any worries that you won’t make it in time. You can see a plan of the Chur station at http://www.sbb.ch/content/dam/infras...an-chur-a4.pdf

I have some thoughts on the Bernina that I want to list just for you to consider:

1. March can be iffy weather-wise in Switzerland. Temps are rising, and you can have fog. The first 10 days or so in March should be fine, but after that, esp towards the end of March, temps will be up and there can be mist and fog. That may make this train journey -one of the very best of the scenic trains in Switzerland IMO - less than ideal. Please just bear this in mind so you can adjust your expectations if you encounter this.

2. It appears from the rhb.ch winter schedule for the Berninia that the train does not go via the town of Filisur and will not use the famous Landwassser viaduct. Instead, the train goes via Davos. The Landwassser portion is one of the most scenic portions of the trip, IMO. However, the Swiss Rail website seems to indicate that the train <i>does</i> go via Filisur. You might want to confirm by email with Rhaetian Railway what the winter route is. If the Berina is not going via Filisur in March 2012, then my suggestion would be that you just take a regular Swiss rail train from Chur (via Filisur) to St Mortiz. You can then meet up with the Bernina in St Mortiz and go on from there.

3. If you have the time, breaking this trip up by staying overnight in Pontresina or St Mortiz would be a good idea. That would give you time to see the very beautiful St Moritz area, and perhaps walk (or sledge!) down the trail from Preda to Bergun through the Landwassser viaduct valley.

Apologies for the delayed response as I was seriously sidetracked at worked!

Thank you so much to both of you for responding. I know that the stations are usually designed for convenient transfers. I was more concerned with the idea of relying too much on Swiss punctuality and missing the Bernina Express. (That is, I was concerned about the train from Zurich leaving late versus not enough time to change trains.)

Having read your responses, however, I think I may try to spend a day in the St. Mortiz area. I welcome any suggestions!

Again, many thanks for responding!

ttt