Day trip from Zurich: St Moritz or Andermatt – which one is better?
Ahm is planning a day trip from Zurich and is deciding between visiting St. Moritz or Andermatt. They are looking for advice on the best scenic train routes and activities to do in just one day.
- For more spectacular scenery, choose the trip to St. Moritz via the IR38 train along the UNESCO-aligned AlBULA railway.
- If traveling with kids, opt for the IR38 train as it offers good views and is more suitable for families than the Bernina Express.
- Consider purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass to save on transportation costs during your trip.
AI-generated summary-
Day Trip from Zurich: St. Moritz or Andermatt?
I am planning a day trip from Zurich and debating between St. Moritz and Andermatt. Looking for recommendations on the best option in terms of scenic train routes, things to do in a day, and overall experience.
Regards,
Ahm
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Hello Ahm
I am assuming that on the day of your travelling you will have invested in a Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/ ), a Day Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/day-pass/) , or a Saver Day Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/saver-day-pass/) . Cost will therefore not be a consideration.
Largely because the journey is longer and that there will be MORE spectacular scenery, I would vote for ST MORITZ.
Andermatt Round Trip
Go to Andermatt via Arth-Goldau and Göschenen. At Andermatt the obvious excursion is to go up a cable car. But that will cost extra money.
Go back to Zurich the ‘pretty way’ via Disentis and Chur. This takes you over the Oberalp Pass and through the ‘Grand Canyon of Switzerland’.
St Moritz Trip
Go Zurich to Chur. Take the IR38 train from Chur to St Moritz along the world famous AlBULA railway (Unesco world heritage site). Sit on the right hand side of the train.
Go for a walk by the lake. That is free.
Catch the RE3 train to Landquart via Klosters.. IC3 train from Landquart back to Zurich.
Add the Bernina Line to St Moritz?
This would be a long day, but it is certainly doable. I have done it!
But it involves a hard day’s travelling. Leave Zurich Hauptbahnhof at 07 38, get back at 18 53. Not time for a proper meal break. So take a packed lunch.
Do you want the details?
Best wishes
Roger.
Thank you Roger,
What I learnt IR38 and Bernina Express run on the same line.
the difference between them is panoramic view on one and the other one just being a normal train.Is their any difference in enjoying the spectacular view en-route between them.
I will be traveling with kids
regards
Ahm
Hello again Ahm
Your first sentence is largely correct. Between Chur and the Upper Engadin (the area in which St Moritz is situated) the Bernina Express and the IR38 trains run on the same line, usually referred to as the ALBULA line. However, while the IR38 terminates in St Moritz, the Bernina Express continues southwards from the Upper Engadin to Tirano, just in Italy. This Engadin to Tirano line is the Bernina line.
The Bernina Express has panoramic carriages with very large windows which some people do like and some do not! You pay a thirty-nine franks per person reservation fee to travel in these carriages. The IR38 is an ‘ordinary train’ though most of the carriages are very new, and some of them have windows which you can open!
Particularly as you are ‘travelling with kids’, travel on the IR38. The ‘spectacular view en-route’ is, of course, the same from both trains.
As you are travelling with kids, I would not attempt the long journey on the Bernina line south of the Upper Engadin.
Very kind regards
Roger
Thanks Roger,
your advice on the thread will support me greatly on planning my trip.
Regards,
Ahm
Hi Ahm,
In addition to Roger’s helpful reply. Please find below, our guide to the Bernina Express. You’ll find descriptions to the various sections of the route itself, whether you take the Bernina Express train or the route with the regular trains.
Here is our St.Moritz guide too with activity suggestions as well.
I agree with Roger, the long journey on the Bernina Express itself could be too much for your children. Perhaps use the Swiss timetable (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/) so you gauge and research journey times so you can see what is doable.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
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