[Anonymous]

22 May 2023 at 15:42:23 #829901

Hi,

I have a question regarding Bernina Express, which we will be taking on our last full day (June 4) in Switzerland. We have our Swiss Travel Pass and made the seat reservation from Chur to Tirano. Arrival in Tirano is 12:49. We need to go back to Zurich on the same day as we will fly back to the US the following day at 10:00 am.

My question is —- how do we go back to Zurich from Tirano? If we are taking the regional trains, are the tickets covered by Swiss Travel Pass? Do we need to purchase the tickets in advance?

As always, thank you so much for all your help. This group has been very helpful and so patient in answering all my questions.

Keep up the good work, guys!

Sincerely,

Maria and Luis Bonifacio

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[Anna]

Reply 1 of 9 • 22 May 2023 at 20:27:55 #954641

Hi Maria and Luis Bonifacio,

A roundtrip on the Bernina Express in one day is definitely doable. The Bernina Express train leaves Chur in the morning at about 8.30am and arrives in Tirano at 12.49. You have about 2 hours to explore Tirano before the Bernina Express train makes the return journey from Tirano to Chur. Alternatively, you can also take the regular trains which travel on the same route. In Chur there are regular train services to Zurich. You can use the SBB timetable to check train schedules: http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable

The Swiss Travel Pass is valid on the Bernina Express and regular trains. There is no need to purchase additional tickets. If you are planning to travel on the Bernina Express from Tirano to Chur, you would need to make a separate seat reservation for the return journey: http://www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress/tickets

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Anna

[User]

Reply 2 of 9 • 22 May 2023 at 21:44:48 #954642

Personally I would recommend starting straight back from Tirano on the first available regional train and getting off at a high point on the Bernina line to enjoy the mountains for an hour or two, before continuing on to Zurich (Bernina – Pontresina (change) – Samedan (change) – Chur – Zurich Samedan – Landquart – Zurich via the Vereina tunnel (for a variation)

[User]

Reply 3 of 9 • 23 May 2023 at 14:57:05 #954643

Hi Anna,

Thank you so much for answering all my questions.

I looked it up, there are no more seats available that are next to each other. I guess we’ll just take the regional trains from Tirano to Chur. From what I heard, the regional train takes the same scenic route, and we’ll be able to open the windows to take good pictures.

A big thank you again for the prompt response. Very much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Maria and Luis

[User]

Reply 4 of 9 • 23 May 2023 at 15:05:58 #954644

Hi 1960man,

Thanks a lot for answering my question. You’re right! We will be taking the regional trains back to Chur.

By the way, what is “getting off at a high point on the Bernina line to enjoy the mountains for an hour or two, before continuing on to Zurich”.,,,? I’m just curious.. 😊

Sincerely,

Maria & Luis

[Anna]

Reply 5 of 9 • 23 May 2023 at 15:24:02 #954645

Hi Maria and Luis,

Seats on the Bernina Express do sell out unfortunately. But travelling on the regular trains is equally comfortable, and yes, the route is the same as the Bernina Express and the windows can be rolled down.

Regards,

Anna

[User]

Reply 6 of 9 • 23 May 2023 at 16:09:38 #954646

Thank you so much, Anna 😃

We can’t wait to see Switzerland! It’s a dream come true 😊🙏

[User]

Reply 7 of 9 • 23 May 2023 at 20:36:17 #954647

The Bernina Railway is the highest through railway in the European Alps, reaching a peak altitude of 2253 metres

Without luggage you have the opportunity to get off where you wish. The big benefit of going out and back in one day is that on the outward journey you can look out for a place that you think would be nice to get off at on the way back, and get off there on the return journey.

You have a choice of lots of places, including:

Alp Grum

Ospizio Bernina (Lago Bianco) – the summit of the line

Bernina Diavolezza (cable car to Diavolezza) or Lagalb. You can get off at one of the summit level stations and hike to another if you wish.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernina_Railway

[User]

Reply 8 of 9 • 23 May 2023 at 22:12:12 #954648

Wow!!!! I can’t wait,

Thanks so much for taking time to answer my questions. 😊

[User]

Reply 9 of 9 • 23 May 2023 at 22:49:52 #954649

I have just noticed that in my earlier comment about your return route Tirano – Zurich the wording (mistyping which I can’t now go back and correct) is misleading in my earlier post.

There are two ways to get from the Bernina route to Zurich, via the Albula Railway ( http://www.rhb.ch/en/leisure-travel-and-excursions/discover-graubuenden/albula-line) and via the Engadine valley and Vereina Tunnel. The Bernina Express uses the ‘classic’ Albula Railway route Chur – Thusis – Filisur – Albula tunnel – Samedan. This is the way you will go in the Bernina Express.

On the way back, using trains of your choice, you can take the Vereina tunnel route (only open since 1999). To do this take the Bernina Railway train north from Tirano to Pontresina, then change to a train going towards the Vereina tunnel. Use the SBB journey planner to get the best schedule (ensure you put in ‘via’ points in your search to get the Vereina route – I suggest putting via Zernez and Klosters)