wantotravel

I am planning to take the Bernina Express based on the good things I've read in this forum. We are going from Florence to Tirano, where the train starts from the Italy end. I checked the train schedule from Florence to Tirano and there is one arriving at 14:42. Bernina Express departs at 14:50. I'm wondering if 8 minutes is enough to get to the express from the italian train. Are they in the same train station?

Please forgive the trivialness of my question. Thank you for any information or suggestion.

wantotravel

Sorry. It was my first post here and I didn't see it the first time when i hit post, so I posted twice. Sorry about that.

Musicteacher

The 14:50 departure from Tirano is effective May 21, 2005. Assuming you are travelling after this date, the German rail site, when you enter Firenze to St. Moritz, gives the 14:42 to 14:50 connection in Tirano as a legitimate connection.

wantotravel

Thank you very much for replying me so fast! Yes, I will be traveling on June 6th, 2005. But is Bernina Express in the same train station as the regulars? If so, I guess 8:00 would be enough. Thank you again for your kindness.

wantotravel

I meant 8 minutes.

Musicteacher

I haven't actually been to Tirano, but if it were not the same station, the German Rail site would have a Fussweg (walking time) indication for the connection.

PalQ

Italian station is across the square from the Swiss station - may 100 yards as I recollect, but not same station. But you must go thru Swiss customs, Switzerland not being a part of the European Union or in the Schengen Accord, so they really check your passport - usually perfectorally but this could delay your getting to the train; have your passport out. not likely but maybe. So you should have time, unless you have to buy a ticket then more time. Eurailpasses valid in Italy and Switzerland are good on the Bernina Pass line, so with a pass you can just board. The official Bernina Express, however, a 1-3 times daily tourist train over this route may be full with tour groups - these trains don't require reservations but can be full, even in first class. Otherwise there are hourly regular trains that don't even take reservations. Bernina Expresses have dome observation cars in first class. In summer there are open air cars on some regular trains that are open seating. Anyways this is the most sp3ctacular train ride in Europe in my book, and I've taken them all.

DeeDee

The trains are notoriously late in Italy. I would advise that you allow yourself extra time.

Ingo

8 minutes are enough for the short walk across the squre and to go through customs (it's actually only a quick passport check from my experience). But like the previous poster said, trains in Italy are usually late.

Should not be a major problem if St. Moritz or Pontresina or another place nearby is your final destination for that day since the next train leaves 15:40.

Patrick

We went down to Tirano for the day when staying in Poschiavo, Switzerland. Customs was a sort of joke in Tirano. There was an open gate and two uniformed men stood there chatting with each other as everyone walked by. This happened both on arrival from Switzerland and departure from Italy.
I would not think it would be a problem to make that connection, since it is considered an actual connection. Of course, we're talking about Italy here, so one never knows about delays and strikes.

Cicerone

I assume you know that there is a train from Florence which arrives in Tirano at 12 Noon. Admittedly, the 4:40 am departure time is not ideal, but this would be a better choice, IMO, rather than risk missing the train. 8 minutes is cutting it close IMO. Remember you will have luggage with you which will slow you down getting off the train and across the platform, and will also bring you to the notice of the Italian and Swiss immigration people, who are mostly used to Bernina Express day trippers without baggage coming back to the train after a few hour lay over in Tirano. Also, remember that to get to Tirano, you have to change trains in Milan and have 15 minutes to do this, so if your Florence train is late, you will miss the connection.

I would definitely make a reservation for the Berninia Express (I assume you want the tourist train that goes non-stop to Chur, not any local Swiss Rail train). The tourist train tends to be very popular, and reservations are essential in some months. Also, having your ticket in advance will save you time from having to buy it at the Tirano station. They can mail the ticket to your home or you may be able to buy it through a travel agent in the US. I would pay the price difference for a first class panorama car. Downside of this is if you miss the train, you may not be able to get a refund, check when you make the reservation. Note that there is not a lot of room for luggage in any of the cars, as the cars are designed for day trippers, not people travelling between countries.

I would also bring a contact number and a phone which will work in Europe. If your train from Venice is running late, you could call and at least try to get them to hold the train for you. It is unlikely they will do so, but if it is only a matter of a few moments, they may.

You could also consider taking a train up to Tirano the day before and overnight there. There are a few small hotels. It would be a shame to miss the train. It is a great trip.

Intrepid1

The absolutely BEST way to do this trip IMO is to spend the additional few dollars and get yourself into a Panorama Car seat in First Class and, if you have to, reserve it in advance.

You can do the same route on regular equipment but the viewing from the Panoramas is vastly superior...if you are only going to do it once, go for the gold!

wantotravel

Thank you PalQ. I read your posts about the ride, which is the reason I really want to take it. And thank you DeeDee, Ingo, Patrick, Cicerone and Intrepid1 for your information and suggestions. Now I think I will stay overnight either in Milano or another place closer to Tirano (maybe around Lake Como? any suggestions?), so I won't miss the train. I will also reserve 1st class seats in advance. I went to their website and I think I can reserve online. Thank you all so much!

Steve_James

If you want to stay on Lake Como, Varenna would be your best option IMO.

But check train times from there to Tirano - they're not very frequent.

DIRECT trains take less than 1hr 30' - but some trains involve a change at Sondrio and take much longer.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

WilDersh

We took the Bernina Express and then the Glacier Express. We both liked the Bernina Express ride better than the Glacier ride.

We were in Florence prior to the trip. We choose the tough option of training to Milan late at night, then, because we had the Eurail pass, we took a late night train to Bologna. Stayed about 2 hours in the Bologna station and then took a train back to Milan.

We still had a few hours to wait in Milan before the first train to Tirano. After arriving in Tirano, we walked around, ate and visited a flea market in the little town.

As someone indicated, the two train stations are very close together. At that time, we were able to leave our bags in the Bernina station as we walked around.

It wasn't the best way to spend a night, but it worked. While in Bologna, we took advantage of the time difference between Italy and US and called all of our family members. I also remember that the police would not allow anyone to go to sleep while waiting in the Bologna station. We also couldn't get in without proof that we were waiting for a train.

wantotravel

Thank you Steve for your suggestion. I will look at the schedule. And thank you WilDersh for sharing your experience. We probably won't do the same because both my husband and I will be worthless the next day if we don't have a good night's sleep. That's also the reason I'm not considering the 4 am train from Florence to Tirano.

I will do more research on Varenna. Thanks again!

NedKelly

Bookmarking. Thanks

Dukey

Re luggage storage in the Panorama cars.

If these are of the same design as those used on the Glacier express then there will be storage space both behind and under the seats as well as in at least one end of each car for luggage storage.

There usually aren't any of the usual overhead racks which would obstruct the view through the oversized windows.

Suelynne

Patrick said: 'Customs was a sort of joke in Tirano'.
Not for me! They held up all the Australians, and then just me a further twenty minutes! It meant that we missed the return train up the Pass, and our planned stop at Poschiavo - which looked gorgeous from the train.

PalQ

Within a year or so Switzerland is supposedly abolishing customs with EU countries so this question could be moot next year.