Oh, the Bernina Express goes through some absolutely breathtaking scenery! I hope you take that journey one day.

Yes, kja, we have 5 nights in Sils Maria, definitely on my list!
Mel, 39C here today 😬

I stayed in Chur once and thought it a nice nice regional market town nice town but nothing awesome but it seems like a type of town OP is looking for. It could be a good base for taking a short scenic mountain train up to Arosa.

Yikes Adelaidean! Time for the cold sparkling Shiraz. It's snowing here this morning, sun not completely up yet (assuming it will even make an appearance).

And regarding that Bernina Express regio train - we had an entire carriage to ourselves. One of the many perks of traveling off season.

Regular Bernina Pass rail trains IME are in some ways nicer than the official Bernina Express - often filled with tour groups even in off season. Same scenery and as melnq8 says local trains often not that full and can hop from side to side as scenery dictates vs being stuck in seat on Bernina Express trains if as often they are full. Plus regular trains you can get on and off - BEX you need seat reservations to board.

...and regular Bernina trains are faster than most Bernina Express trains. Only regular Bernina Express trains enable good connections at Tirano (to Sondrio - Colico - Chiavenna as well as - Bellano - Varenna - Lecco - Monza - Milano) and at Pontresina (to Scuol - Landeck - Innsbruck; to Zernez - Merano/Meran - Bolzano/Bozen; to Klosters - Landquart - Zurich; to Bravuogn - Chur - Zurich.

Thanks all....

Have Googled all the little places on my train route options and think we might stop in Bergün and Preda (walk to lake) instead if weather is nice. If not, Chur might stay on the list. Lots of options.


Also, definitely going regional trains on Bernina line, stopping in Poschiavo and walk between Miralago / Le Prese, maybe Lago Bianco, or Alp Grüm.

The hike from Preda railway station (some luggage lockers) to lake Palpuegna is nice, but rather short (less than 2 miles OW).
I hope you will not be disapointed after all the mountain lakes you may have seen before, between Val Fex - Fuorcla Surlei - St. Moritz/Val Roseg.

“The hike from Preda railway station (some luggage lockers)...”

neckervd, I thought there was no luggage locker facility at Preda? https://www.rhb.ch/en/service-souven...eda#highlights
maybe the website is not updated?

We stayed just one night in Chur five years ago in May after travelling on the Bernina Express and before catching the Glacier Express. We stayed in the Old Town and wandered about looking at the churches and painted buildings in the evening and the next morning. I thought it was a lovely old place.

Preda:
You are right, Adelaidean. I misinterpreted the SBB site
https://www.sbb.ch/en/station-servic...198.preda.html
I'm very sorry, indeed!

Thanks for your opinion, jacooper, the photos I have seen certainly show a historic old town of great charm, glad you chimed in
neckervd, I read the website as you did at first, too, easy to misunderstand.

Noiseless busPlease, be notice. Somebus may be noiseless. It's not allowed loud speaking.>

What bus is a "quiet bus" where folks can't talk into phones and even to othersPlease explain further!