Bernina Express: entering Italy & Switzerland
TravelElla is planning a 3-week trip to Switzerland in September and is trying to understand the travel regulations for crossing into Italy and back while taking the Bernina Express. They also want to know if they need to apply for multiple entries and exits for their Schengen Visa due to their itinerary.
- Complete the Digital Passenger Locator Form (dPLF) before travel and ensure you have proof of full vaccination or a negative test result.
- You do not need to apply for multiple Schengen visas for your trip; a single visa allows for travel within the Schengen area.
- Always check the official travel regulations close to your travel date, as rules can change frequently.
AI-generated summary-
Hello
We are planning a trip to Switzerland for 3 weeks during September 2022. First question: If we travel with Bernina Express from Chur to Lugano via Tirano, Italy, will that mean that we have an exit from Switzerland and entry into Italy and then again an exit from Italy and entry into Switzerland before the arrival in Lugano? What is the current situation regarding CV19 with these kind of exits and entries? This will happen on the same day. Must you provide a negative CV19 test for the transfer in Tirano and then for the entry into Switzerland (Lugano) again? Second question: We are from South Africa and have to apply for a Schengen Visa. If part of our itinerary will be the above route, do we have to apply then for two entries into Switzerland (Flight arrival Zürich & Bernina Bus Lugano) and two exits out of Switzerland (Swiss border town nearest to Tirano & Locarno (Locarno will be our last destination before we will enter Italy for the rest of our tour – Stresa will be our first overnight destination)? Thank you for your help and info regarding my questions.
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Hi TravelElla,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
At the moment, the following travel regulation applies for cross border travel between Switzerland and Italy.
- Complete the Digital Passenger Locator Form (dPLF) and present it on paper or on your mobile device to the inspector.
- Fully vaccinated (at least 14 days prior to travel) or negative PCR or rapid antigen test
These rules are always changing so be sure to check on the latest updates here: http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/does-the-corona-virus-affect-trips-to-switzerland (we will update the first post when new regulations or rules come into force or lifted)
Hopefully by Sept 2022, we won’t have to worry about all these restrictions anymore. You can find more information about the Bernina Express here: http://www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress
If you have a Schengen visa, you will be allowed to travel in Switzerland and Italy (and other countries within the Schengen area) for up to 90 days. So there is no need to apply for multiple visa for your trip.
I hope this was helpful. Let us know if you have further questions.
Regards,
Anna
Hi TravelElla!
In addition, it’s helpful to study the official information provided by the Rhätische Bahn (the company running the Bernina Express). You’ll find it here under “Information Coronavirus”: http://www.rhb.ch/en/panoramic-trains/bernina-express#info.
Hello Anna
Thank you very much for your detailed reply and info regarding my questions.
It is good news!! We will complete the dPLF form nearer to our travel dates. We are already fully vaccinated.
Your input will help me a lot to finalise our trip for 2022.
Regards
TravelElla
Hello Annika
Thank you so much for the extra info and link for the Bernina Express.
I really appreciate your help and input a lot!
Greetings
TravelElla
Hi Anna,
How does it work with fully vaccinated passengers travelling from India? We are due to take the Bernina from Tirano to St Moritz and travelling to Tirano from Lugano by bus. As Switzerland allows us, is this short transit in Italy going to be a problem for us? Would love some clarity on this, and look forward to hearing from you.
Ruchi
Hi Ruchi027,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
If you are fully vaccinated and have your vaccination card with you, there should be no problem. The Rhaetian Railway which operates the Bernina Express trains, has a website that provides a detailed information for passengers here: http://www.rhb.ch/en/panoramic-trains/bernina-express#info
Regards,
Anna
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