Munich to Milan via train
 

Hi Friends,
I'm trying to plan my parents last leg of their European trip in late September/early October: Munich to Milan. They want to enjoy the scenery and are considering taking a train. They were originally planning on Munich - Chur- Como but are thinking about having a home base in Milan and day tripping to Como. I originally had the following itinerary via train:

Munich - Chur, overnight in Chur
Chur - Zurich - Como

Instead of ending train journey in Como, is there a Chur - Zurich - Milan route? Especially interested in the Bernina Express, since they are all about the scenery. And how to book this? Is there a direct site to book this trip? I feel like such an idiot booking this, but European train travel is like a foreign language to me. Thanks in advance for any help you could offer!

You can book the Bernina Express on the official site of the Rhaetische Bahn that runs the train:

https://www.rhb.ch/en/home

and to me this is the most scenic train in all of Europe and I think I've ridden them all and a great way to go to Milan

From Chur some Bernina Expresses start and go via St Moritz or Pontresina up and over the awesomely scenic Brunig Pass to Tirano, Italy where you change to a train that goes to Milan - it skirts Lake Como too and if I were you I'd consider staying on Lake Como rather than in the huge city of Milan and perhaps day trip to Milan to see the few blockbuster sites there.

You can get off the Tirano-Milan train at Varenna-Esino and take a boat to Bellagio - nothing difficult there - a short walk down to boat dock from train station - base there for a few days would be wonderful at that time of year when crowds have somewhat thinned out - get a boat pass and cruise for a day around the lake getting on and off at several sweet sights.

Book Munich to Chur trains at www.bahn.de/en - the German Railways site that has discounted deep tickets if you book far enough in advance.

Here are some great sources on European train travel and those places in particular: www.ricksteves.com; www.seat61.com - good info on discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com - oh the Tirano to Varenna-Esino to Milan train is a regional train that has a flat fare - cheap just buy those tickets at the Tirano train station - no reservations required nor possible and as the train starts in Tirano always lots of seats available.

>>>You can get off the Tirano-Milan train at Varenna-Esino and take a boat to Bellagio - <<<

Or just stay in Varenna. Here's a route map for the trains between Tirano (upper right corner of map) and Varenna (or Milan). Cost for Tirano/Varenna is 7.30€ (1 1/2 hours). If you decide to stop there for a couple nights, be sure they take one of the trains from Tirano that doesn't require a change in Sondrio.

http://www.trenord.it/media/1439329/...ag2015.pdf.pdf

The problem with avoiding a possible change of trains at Sondrio is that these trains are not always hourly so rather than waiting an hour or more at blah blah Tirano risk the change of trains at Sondrio - a small station where folks go from one platform to an adjoining platform I would think.

And yes good advice from bourbon about eaiser to stay in Varenna, also on Lake Como and a more real town - just get off the train and head to a hotel then day trip to Bellagio and round the lake.

BTW, I booked accommodation for both Lake Como and Lake Maggiore early last month for late September and found fairly slim pickings. If they don't have reservations and want to stay on the lakes they should book now and go later rather than earlier.

Hi krissy66,

Remember that you don't go back up to Zürich from Chur for the Bernina Express. Just go from Chur to St. Moritz to Tirano.

Have fun as you plan!

s

1. Munich to Chur: Book at www.bahn.de/en from €39

2. Chur to Tirano: Book at www.rhb.ch (you can save money by booking Freiburg in Breisgau to Tirano at bahn.de/en from just €29 as explained at http://www.seat61.com/BerninaExpress...Express_for_29 )

3. Tirano to Varrenna or Milan buy at the station. Tirano-Milan is only €11, no reservation necessary or possible. You can check times if you need to at www.trenord.it

Excellent info, Man in seat 61. :)

Ahhhh, you all have been so helpful! Will run all this by Mom and Dad! Thanks so much!

If they take the Bernina Express to Tirano then they could take the Bernina Express bus to Mennagio on Lake Como - timed with the train - effortless and Mennagio is a nice place to stay on Lake Como - boat service to all lake hotspots.

Chur - Pontresina - Tirano - Lecco - Milano is the most scenic way.

Not as scenic (but not bad) and quicker is post bus Chur - Bellinzona over the St.Bernardino highway and in Bellinzona switch to a train to Milan.

Note that regular trains run over the exact same route as the Bernina Express does and you do not need reservations - just show up with a valid ticket. Same scenery and windows are large enough to see it all - sit on the west side of the train for the most scintillating views.

And note that buying that regular train ticket well ahead can save a LOT of money. I just bought Zurich to Como for September at an over-60 advance purchase rate of just 10 CHF. And I had been thinking of buying the Swiss Transfer Ticket for 156 USD!