NEW TRIP Switzerland and North Italy--help in planning!
Dec 26th, 2013, 04:14 AM
#22
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No need to pre-book slightly slower regional trains in Italy.>
yes no need to pre-book regional trains that cost the same the day of travel but are NOT IME slightly slower - much slower and stop at every hodunk station - like 3.5-4 hours Rome to Florence vs 1.5 hours on high-speed trains. I love regional trains because to be slower is at times better - I'm a rail buff who enjoys stopping at small stations, seeing the activity, etc but they are way slower and take much more time on routes where there are high-speed trains - some routes like Milan to Venice are not true high-speed routes - no new all-new rights-of-way and then regional trains may be slightly slower on some trajectories but in general are way way slower and also not nearly as comfy.
yes no need to pre-book regional trains that cost the same the day of travel but are NOT IME slightly slower - much slower and stop at every hodunk station - like 3.5-4 hours Rome to Florence vs 1.5 hours on high-speed trains. I love regional trains because to be slower is at times better - I'm a rail buff who enjoys stopping at small stations, seeing the activity, etc but they are way slower and take much more time on routes where there are high-speed trains - some routes like Milan to Venice are not true high-speed routes - no new all-new rights-of-way and then regional trains may be slightly slower on some trajectories but in general are way way slower and also not nearly as comfy.
Dec 26th, 2013, 06:21 AM
#23
Thanks for the clarification. Let me see if I understand. The timeframe would be early October. It is a regional Swiss train to go from Zurich to Chur and onto Tirano. The regional trains are also on the same route as the Bernina Express, is that correct? No need to reserve the regional trains. Is this also true for the Bernina Express?
Once in Tirano, to go onto Milan, take an Italian train and a fast train could be reserved in advance for a potentially lower fare.
Thanks for you help.
Once in Tirano, to go onto Milan, take an Italian train and a fast train could be reserved in advance for a potentially lower fare.
Thanks for you help.
Dec 26th, 2013, 06:48 AM
#24
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There is no need (often even no possibility) to reserve Swiss trains and the Italian Regional train from Tirano to Milan.
The Bernina Express trains with fully airconditioned coaches are a exception: they must be prebooked. All other trains along the same itinerary (Chur - St. Moritz/Pontesina - Bernina - Tirano) must not and cannot be prebooked.
The Bernina Express trains with fully airconditioned coaches are a exception: they must be prebooked. All other trains along the same itinerary (Chur - St. Moritz/Pontesina - Bernina - Tirano) must not and cannot be prebooked.
Dec 26th, 2013, 07:57 AM
#26
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Well since tour groups IME often seem to fill many of the official Bernina and Glacier Expresses I suppose that is possible but still hard to believe. I actually prefer the local trains on that route as the official ones are usually stuffed to the gills and I'm stuck between folks in my sit - on local trains I can get up and move from side to side as scenery dictates, etc. And you can always take the local trains as neckervd says but if you are sure you want to take the official Bernina Express then why not book it?
Dec 26th, 2013, 08:10 AM
#27
I don't want to book so far in advance as plans could change per the next 9 months. i would be happy with the local trains as long as we don't need to switch trains along the way. Is it possible to go on one train the entire distance from Chur to Tirano? Actually would be starting in Zurich. thanks again
Dec 26th, 2013, 08:42 AM
#28
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You will have to switch trains along the route, and it's not a problem. Timetables are worked in such a way that you walk from one train to the other, usually on opposite sides of the same platform, and a minute or two later you're on your way again.
From Zürich to Chur it will be a fast train, in Chur you switch to the first of several trains that will take you eventually to Tirano.
Even if you choose to make it the Bernina Express, you still don't have one that goes all the way - see www.rhb.ch/Bernina-Express.1676.0.html?&L=4
It's good to step off the train now and then, your rear end and your legs will thank you.
From Zürich to Chur it will be a fast train, in Chur you switch to the first of several trains that will take you eventually to Tirano.
Even if you choose to make it the Bernina Express, you still don't have one that goes all the way - see www.rhb.ch/Bernina-Express.1676.0.html?&L=4
It's good to step off the train now and then, your rear end and your legs will thank you.
Dec 26th, 2013, 11:27 AM
#30
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We did a similar trip in mid September this year, but in reverse.
We flew into Milan and spent 3 nights in Bellagio. Beautiful weather.
We then caught a ferry to Varenna-Esino and then a train to Tirano to pick up the Bernina Express. Yes I know that we could have caught the local train as opposed to the Bernina Express but we very happy with our choice. We had a first class swiss travel pass and loved our train trip. The carriage was only half full so we were able to jump from side to side to take in all the views. We did not stay in Chur.
Someone mentioned only seeing a few vacancies in the carriage we also saw this and phoned to make our seat booking.
With limited time and if CT is a must, I would skip Lake Como and go straight to CT from Tirano (with train changes of course)
We flew into Milan and spent 3 nights in Bellagio. Beautiful weather.
We then caught a ferry to Varenna-Esino and then a train to Tirano to pick up the Bernina Express. Yes I know that we could have caught the local train as opposed to the Bernina Express but we very happy with our choice. We had a first class swiss travel pass and loved our train trip. The carriage was only half full so we were able to jump from side to side to take in all the views. We did not stay in Chur.
Someone mentioned only seeing a few vacancies in the carriage we also saw this and phoned to make our seat booking.
With limited time and if CT is a must, I would skip Lake Como and go straight to CT from Tirano (with train changes of course)
Dec 26th, 2013, 11:52 AM
#31
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The BEX 951 Chur dp 8.32 - Tirano ar 12.36 runs until Oct 26th.
I don't know the reservation system of BEX, but whatever you enter for next automn (even dates in November when probably nobody will do this train ride) you get always offered the first 2 compartments of the first 2nd class car.
You get only the full offer if you try to book for dates until next February. There are tons of available seats for this period.
I don't know the reservation system of BEX, but whatever you enter for next automn (even dates in November when probably nobody will do this train ride) you get always offered the first 2 compartments of the first 2nd class car.
You get only the full offer if you try to book for dates until next February. There are tons of available seats for this period.
Dec 27th, 2013, 09:32 AM
#33
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As an alternative, you can take the bus Tirano dp 14.20 - Lugano ar 17.30>
The Bernina Express bus that has to be booked and though a Swiss Pass or ticket covers the whole thing, even the Italian part, there is a supplement of about $15 or so I think.
If you spend the whole day putzing around on the Bernina Pass rail route - walking to glaciers, etc and stay in St-Moritz then you could take a much much prettier bus ride - the Palm Express it used to be called but now the Maloja Pass bus down the gorgeous Maloja Pass to Lucerne, stoppping for a while in Menaggio - I took the bus to St-Moritz and it stopssed there for a break - a lovely town on a lake.
https://www.google.com/search?q=malo...=1600&bih=1074
The Bernina Express bus that has to be booked and though a Swiss Pass or ticket covers the whole thing, even the Italian part, there is a supplement of about $15 or so I think.
If you spend the whole day putzing around on the Bernina Pass rail route - walking to glaciers, etc and stay in St-Moritz then you could take a much much prettier bus ride - the Palm Express it used to be called but now the Maloja Pass bus down the gorgeous Maloja Pass to Lucerne, stoppping for a while in Menaggio - I took the bus to St-Moritz and it stopssed there for a break - a lovely town on a lake.
https://www.google.com/search?q=malo...=1600&bih=1074
Dec 28th, 2013, 04:35 AM
#35
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https://www.google.com/search?q=bern...=1600&bih=1074
Bernina Pass Railway images - I heartily advise spending the whole day on the pass - take a train to Bernina Ospiz or Alp Grum - walk to the glacier lake - around the lake I mean to the glacier - get off at other stations - sit on the sun terrace if a nice day and go back to St Moritz/Ponresina for the night.
The scenery after the summit is nice but not that awesome - the Italy part you miss is not awesome - it is the part between St-Moritz and the summit - around Alp Grum - then take the Maloja Pass bus to Lugano or Lake Como (Mennagio - with boats to Como and Bellagio, etc) or onto Lugano, on the mainline to Milan, Venice, Florence, etc.
Maloja Pass bus being much more scenic than the Bernina Express bus, a utilitarian link to Lugano for Bernina Express train folks arriving in Tirano.
Bernina Pass Railway images - I heartily advise spending the whole day on the pass - take a train to Bernina Ospiz or Alp Grum - walk to the glacier lake - around the lake I mean to the glacier - get off at other stations - sit on the sun terrace if a nice day and go back to St Moritz/Ponresina for the night.
The scenery after the summit is nice but not that awesome - the Italy part you miss is not awesome - it is the part between St-Moritz and the summit - around Alp Grum - then take the Maloja Pass bus to Lugano or Lake Como (Mennagio - with boats to Como and Bellagio, etc) or onto Lugano, on the mainline to Milan, Venice, Florence, etc.
Maloja Pass bus being much more scenic than the Bernina Express bus, a utilitarian link to Lugano for Bernina Express train folks arriving in Tirano.
Dec 28th, 2013, 06:22 AM
#39
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PALM EXPRESS
St. Moritz dp 12.20 - Lugano ar 16.30, stops 20 min at Chiavenna
DAILY ONLY FROM JUNE 13th UNTIL OCT 19th
in the other periods only Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Stops at Menaggio only on request
fully covered by Swiss Pass
St. Moritz - Chiavenna with connecting train to Milan (daily, all the year round):
St. Moritz dp 07.25 - Chiavenna 08.58/09.28 - Milano C ar 11.40
St. Moritz dp 09.08 - Chiavenna 10.51/11.28 - Milano C ar 13.40
and then every 2 hrs until
St. Moritz dp 17.08 - Chiavenna 18.51/19.28 - Milano C ar 21.40
and from June 14th until Oct 19th:
St. Moritz dp 18.08 - Chiavenna 19.43/20.40 - Milano C ar 22.40
Swiss Pass valid up to Chiavenna
St. Moritz dp 12.20 - Lugano ar 16.30, stops 20 min at Chiavenna
DAILY ONLY FROM JUNE 13th UNTIL OCT 19th
in the other periods only Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Stops at Menaggio only on request
fully covered by Swiss Pass
St. Moritz - Chiavenna with connecting train to Milan (daily, all the year round):
St. Moritz dp 07.25 - Chiavenna 08.58/09.28 - Milano C ar 11.40
St. Moritz dp 09.08 - Chiavenna 10.51/11.28 - Milano C ar 13.40
and then every 2 hrs until
St. Moritz dp 17.08 - Chiavenna 18.51/19.28 - Milano C ar 21.40
and from June 14th until Oct 19th:
St. Moritz dp 18.08 - Chiavenna 19.43/20.40 - Milano C ar 22.40
Swiss Pass valid up to Chiavenna
Dec 28th, 2013, 06:44 AM
#40
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St. Moritz - OFEN PASS/PASS DAL FUORN - Bolzano:
St. Moritz dp by train 7.02 - Zernez dp by bus 8.15 - Ofen Pass 8.48 - Mals dp by train 10.20 - Bolzano 12.26
and then every hr until
St. Moritz dp by train 16.02 - Zernez dp by bus 17.15 - Ofen Pass 17.48 - Mals dp by train 19.03 - Bolzano 20.59
less frequent in low season until May 10th and after Oct 19th
Swiss Pass valid up to Mals
St. Moritz dp by train 7.02 - Zernez dp by bus 8.15 - Ofen Pass 8.48 - Mals dp by train 10.20 - Bolzano 12.26
and then every hr until
St. Moritz dp by train 16.02 - Zernez dp by bus 17.15 - Ofen Pass 17.48 - Mals dp by train 19.03 - Bolzano 20.59
less frequent in low season until May 10th and after Oct 19th
Swiss Pass valid up to Mals
