Bernina Express from Davos vs Chur?

Old Aug 23rd, 2013, 06:09 AM
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Bernina Express from Davos vs Chur?

Does it matter much which of the two you depart from? I never see anyone say they started from Davos, but it it would probably work better for us for an upcoming trip f it doesn't really matter. Thanks!
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Old Aug 23rd, 2013, 06:30 AM
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I may not be qualified to answer the question as I have not taken the train between Davos and Filisur but for me Berninna Express is mainly the part between St.Moritz/Pontresina and Tirano so I would say if you take it at Davos, that's fine, or if you take it at St.Moritz or Pontresina as well.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2013, 06:56 AM
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The Heidi Express at one time at least started in Davos I believe and went to St Moritz and may all the way to Tirano - in any case Davos is in a pretty Alpine area - Chur is a workaday but nice larger town - I'd rather stay in Davos and no need to go to Chur just join the train line to St Moritz in Filisur - Davos to Filisur is very scenic - much more so than Chur to Filisur.

Yes the classic Bernina Express runs between St Moritz and Tirano, Italy - up and over the Bernina Pass - the only north-south train line that climbs up and over the Alps instead of tunneling under them. There are regular non-BE trains about every hour you can just jump on.

Some Bernina Expresses may start at times in Chur or Davos but if not just take regular trains from either to St Moritz - same train line same scenery.

For lots of great info on Bernina Express and Swiss trains, buses, boats, etc I always spotlight these IMO fine sites - www.swisstravelsystem.com; http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id3.html; www.seat61.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Check the official site of Rhaetische Bahn (RhB) for current schedules and if Chur or Davos is served directly by BE trains - if one comes from Chur join it from Davos at Filisur.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2013, 07:19 AM
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http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id3.html

Yes about 8:15 one GE express leaves from Chur and a separate one leaves from Davos - then taking the same tracks to St Moritz. Two other BE expresses leave daily from St Moritz itself - all to Tirano.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2013, 07:31 AM
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Thanks for all the input and links! Davos will work better for us, so that's a relief.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2013, 07:48 AM
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Please look at the map in the link. The Bernina Express does NOT leave from Davos; a connection runs but not THE BE.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2013, 07:48 AM
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You ask “Does it matter...”. Answer: No it doesn’t. Some Bernina Express (BEX) trains originate in Chur, another originates in Davos, yet another originates in St. Moritz.

By starting out from Davos (the station is called Davos-Platz) you have several good options. One involves a BEX train all the way, others involve a combination of regular regional trains and then a switch to the BEX, or even taking all regular regional trains all the way.

Note: The BEX runs on the same tracks as do the regular regional trains - on those regular regional trains you see the same views, but you don’t have the extra creature comforts that the BEX provides.

Option 1) You book the 08:14 BEX train 961 that goes all the way from Davos-Platz to Tirano (arr. 12:02).

Option 2) You take all regular regional trains and that gives you the option of interrupting the journey at any of the connecting stations - you don’t have to continue on the next departing train, but if you want to do it as tightly as possible, here’s how that goes:

At first board a regular regional train lvg at 08:31 as far as Filisur (arr. 08:56) where you change to another regular regional train lvg. for Samedan at 09:02 (arr. 09:46) where you change to another regular regional train lvg. for Pontresina at 09:49 (arr. 09:56) where you change to the regular regional train that leaves at 10:09 for Tirano (arr. 12:21).

Those are small train stations, the changeover times are calculated so that you step off one train and board the other, no panic, just get on with it. No reservations, just hop on and find a seat.

Option 3) You take a combination of a regular regional train and the BEX: At first board a regular regional train lvg at 08:31 as far as Filisur (arr. 08:56) where you change to the BEX 951 (it originated in Chur) that leaves at 09:33 and gets to Tirano at 12:36.

Option 4) At 09:31 you again have a combination of regular trains with switches in Filisur, Samedan, and Pontresina, getting you to Tirano at 13:12.

Option 5) Also at 09:31 you can board the same regular regional train to Filisur (arr. 09:56), change to the regular regional train leaving for St. Moritz at 10:02 (arr. 10:58) where you switch to the BEX 973 (starts out right there in St. Moritz) lvg. at 11:22 and arriving in Tirano at 13:26.

And so it goes, even later in the day. Book the BEX that appeals and you’ll have your reserved seat, then buy the tickets for the regular trains at the station.

Or skip the BEX and do it all with the freedom that regular regional trains provide - your regular (non-BEX) ticket entitles you to board any regular train on that route and sit anywhere in the class you bought.

Don’t forget that there is a BEX bus (www.rhb.ch/Bernina-Express-Bus.2189.0.html?&L=4) that links up with the BEX trains and takes you from Tirano to Lugano - so you don’t have to come back by the same route if indeed you wish to come back.

Look it all up at www.sbb.ch.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2013, 08:37 AM
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Thanks for the information! I had been using this website, http://www.rhb.ch/Bernina-Express.2188.0.html?&L=4, so I was planning on probably taking the 8:14. I realize there is something to be said for taking the regional trains instead, so we haven't ruled that out yet. Thanks for the specifics.
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Old Aug 24th, 2013, 04:25 AM
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Please look at the map in the link. The Bernina Express does NOT leave from Davos; a connection runs but not THE BE.>

Wrong - some BE trains start from Davos and Chur and go to St Moritz and over the pass to Tirano. See the official site and schedules and michel's post above documenting that.
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Old Aug 24th, 2013, 07:16 AM
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Bernina - Express 961 Davos Platz - St. Moritz - Pontresina - Ospizio Bernina - Poschiavo - Le Prese - Tirano:
until Oct 20th 2013 and from May 10th until Oct 26th 2014:
Davos Platz dp 8.12 - St. Moritz 9.24/9.29 - Tirano ar 12.02
More scenic than Chur St. Moritz. Can be combined with the Glacier Express Zermatt - Davos
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