[Artim]

12 April 2026 at 7:53:24 #2796217

Hello,

We (a family of 3 including a teenager) are considering staying near Lucerne, possibly in Ebikon, for 3 nights from May 29 to June 1.

We were considering Chur/Bad Ragaz to do the Bernina route towards Tirano and return the same day. However, moving hotels with luggage near the end of the trip feels a bit tiring.

Would it be practical to stay in Ebikon/Lucerne and do a Bernina day trip on May 30, returning to Ebikon/Lucerne the same night? Or would this be too long and tiring for a family trip?

If going all the way to Tirano and back is not practical from Lucerne, would a shorter scenic option such as Lucerne–Chur–St. Moritz/Pontresina–Lucerne still be worthwhile?

We will be travelling by Swiss public transport with Swiss Travel Pass and will have already spent 7 days in the Jungfrau region before this.

Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Artim

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[Roger Sexton]

Reply 1 of 3 • 12 April 2026 at 9:11:16 #2796219

Hello again Artim

This is the third time in less than a month that someone has (in effect) asked ‘can we do the Bernina Line as a day excursion from Lucerne?’

The answer is YES BUT……..It will be an extremely long day.

If you left Lucerne at 06 35 and changed at Thalwil, Chur, Samedan and Pontresina, you would reach Tirano at 13 00.  Returning leaving at 13 41, you would be back in Lucerne at 20 25.

If you left at 07 35 you would get to Tirano at 14 23.  You would return leaving at 15 00 and be back in Lucerne at 21 25.

(Note that if you stayed in EBIKON, you would leave at 06 31 or 07 31, and there would be an additional change at ROTKREUZ.)

Possible Shorter trips.

First note that on the 2026 timetable cutting short at Campocologno is no longer possible.

Places where you could turn short are Brusio, Le Prese, Poschiavo, Alp Grum.

Cover the Bernina Line at the Beginning of your trip.

I see that from your other thread that you are arriving in Switzerland from Salzburg.  Get off the RJX train at SARGANS and stay in the Sargans/Bad Ragaz/Landquart/CHUR area for two nights. Do the Bernina line as a day trip from this area.

Kind regards

Roger

[Arno]

Reply 2 of 3 • 12 April 2026 at 14:26:43 #2796221

Hi Artim,

Roger gave you some very good options. I did this day trip recently from the Lake Zurich region and it was a very long day, but worth it for a train enthusiast. However, I can imagine that it would be way too much for a family.

Two more options:

1. If you’re going for the long day, I would at least make sure not doing the exact same route twice. Travel back via Klosters and Landquart, or like I did via Italy (Tirano – Monza – Chiasso). The Italian section requires an additional ticket: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-guide/italy-switzerland/.
2. A shorter scenic route, but without the Bernina Pass itself, is: Lucerne – Chur – St. Moritz (break for a walk around the lake or in town) – Klosters – Landquart – Lucerne.

Have fun!

[Artim]

Reply 3 of 3 • 12 April 2026 at 18:59:02 #2796227

Thank you Roger and Arno. Appreciate your help!