While staying at Menaggio on Lake Como in early October 2009, we hope to take a day trip to St. Moritz on the Bernina Express. I have managed to work out an itinerary that would involve taking a ferry to Varenna to catch a train to Tirano, where we might transfer to the Bernina Express.

Unfortunately, the earliest train from Varenna gets into Tirano at 8:50 while the Bernina Express leaves at 8:50. I then looked at the possibility of catching an “ordinary” train from Tirano, and returning on the Bernina Express from St. Moritz at 15:45 which arrives back at Tirano at 18:20. However; even if we caught the next train to Varenna, we would have missed the ferry to Menaggio. Similarly, if we leave the train at Colico, all boats will have departed.

Could anyone suggest a viable option?

The "advantage" of taking the Bernina Express as opposed to a regular train is several-fold: the "express" has at least one, if not several, panorama cars and they are WORTH THE MONEY, believe me; the "express" travels through as opposed to the regular trains which often do not and changes are required.

The trip is definitely worth your time and money IMO but i also understand from first-hand experience that "misconnect" between ferries from Menaggio to Varenna and the ability to catch an early train.

Be aware that when you DO get to Tirano you have to change stations: from the Trenitalia arrival station over to the next-door Swiss Federal railroads station. They are literally only a few feet from one another but the changeover takes a few minutes.

Unfortunately, I have no viable alternative suggestion but hopefully someone else will.

I think the Bernina Express runs again at 12:45 and another one later.

Just take the "ordinary" regional train. From Poschiavo to St. Moritz these usually also have "panoramic" cars that are not to confuse with those panoramic cars in the Bernina Express trains. These in the regional trains have no roof, so to speak "open-air". Perfect if the weather is fine.

Why don't you go back via a different route? I entered St. Moritz to Varenna on the www.sbb.ch site and it came up with the Postal bus to Chiavenna, leaving St. Moritz 15:08, arr. Chiavenna 17:01 where you can catch the train to Colico, leaving 17:28 and arr. 17:58. You could even catch another train from Colico to Varenna, arriving 18:36. Very scenic route also.

I am not sure those open air cars run in the Fall but could be incorrect..Ingo?

if they DID i would consider doing it that way..even better than in the panorama cars for sure other than the possibility of not-so-great weather

Oops, didn't see the OP is travelling in October. My fault. No, of course they do not run in fall. Thanks for the heads-up, Dukey!

Can you get out of Varenna earlier by ferry and catch a train or transport on the other side? How about springing for an early morning taxi to another train station with a better connection time? Lastly, when is the last train out of Varenna the night before? I loved staying there, but once it's dark, there's not much to do or see. How about dining in Varenna with your luggage tucked under your table, getting the last train out of town and sleeping in Tirano?