Bernina Express bus: Tirano to Lugano, alighting on the way?
A traveler named walkingman is curious whether it's possible to exit the Bernina Express bus at Lake Como while heading to Lugano. They are looking for ways to make an unscheduled stop but learn that the bus has no official stops along the route. Helpful suggestions about other travel options are shared.
- You cannot get off the Bernina Express bus at Lake Como since it has no official stops.
- The Palm Express bus from St Moritz to Lugano allows drop-offs at Menaggio, so consider that option.
- With the Swiss Travel Pass, you don’t need a ticket for the Bernina Express, but a seat reservation is required.
- If you want to do a day trip, consider just traveling the train portion from St Moritz to Tirano and return with a regular train.
AI-generated summary-
Is it possible to exit the bus somewhere around Lake Como? I’m fine with buying a ticket to Lugano, but I’m wondering if an unscheduled stop might be possible at Lake Como.
Thanks.
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Hi walkingman,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
The Bernina Express bus from Tirano to Lugano does not have any official stops, therefore it’s not possible to get off en route. However, they do make stops along the way for passengers to ‘stretch their legs’ but they are not listed as official ones.
Our handy guide to the Bernina Express can be found here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/bernina-express/
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Hi Walkingman,
I believe there are “rules and regulations” about drop-offs and pick-ups when a bus operator from one country is transiting another country. The Bernina Express bus operator would have to have permission from the Italian authorities to drop-off or pick-up passengers within Italy.
Would you like to share your plans in more detail? We might be able to come up with other ideas that would enable you to do what you want. For example, the Palm Express bus from St Moritz to Lugano permits drop-offs and pick-ups in Menaggio. You can also get an Italian train from Tirano that goes down the eastern side of Lake Como, from where you can get ferries across to the other side.
Alpenrose
Hi walkingman,
Yes the Palm Express could work. Just a note though, it does not run on daily basis depending on the time of year you are thinking of traveling. You can research the schedule using the Swiss timetable, and choosing “bus” as your means of transport.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
hi there, we will be in zurich on Aug 31 and travel to St Moritz the same day. We would like to take the Bernina Express to Lugano, is that just a day trip,if so do we take the same train back? also is the swiss travel pass good for the return trip to St Moritz?
Thank you
malmon
Hi malmon,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
With the Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/), you don’t need a ticket to travel on the Bernina Express. But you do need a seat reservation: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/bernina-express/
The Bernina Express from St Moritz to Lugano consists of a train ride from St Moritz to Tirano (2 hours) and a bus ride from Tirano to Lugano (3 hours). The whole journey takes about 5 hours, and there is only one bus running in each direction per day. So I wouldn’t recommend doing a day trip.
It is possible to just do the train portion (St Moritz to Tirano) as a day trip. I would recommend taking the Bernina Express to Tirano and return with the regular train, which travels on the same route. This way you only need to make seat reservation on the Bernina Express once.
Regards,
Anna
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