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Hi….. requesting help for reservations in bernina express.
i will be in st moritz on 6.5.19. from there i want to take the bernina express and bus to lugano so as to reach on the same day. I understand that on 6th may there is no bernina express from st moritz and i have to board from pontersina. i will be taking a swiss pass for 15 days . My questions are
– is there a direct train from st moritz to pontersina and will that be covered by stp
-will the reservation charges for bernina express cover the bernina bus too.
– if not how do i do the bernina bus bookings
– does the bernina bus start from outside the tirano station or we need to board from some bus depot.
– how far would the lugano station be from the drop point of bernina bus.
– how does one ensure a smooth move from bernina express to bernina bus
– are there other travel options between tirano and lucerne as i would be going to lucerne from lugano the same day
-will all this travel be covered in stp
thanks in advance
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Hello Kmonex,
– is there a direct train from st moritz to pontersina and will that be covered by stp
Yes and yes. There is also a bus. Or you can skip the BEX and take a regular train from St Moritz to Tirano to connect with the BEX bus. No reservation required for regular train. Check the SBB Timetable (http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable).
-will the reservation charges for bernina express cover the bernina bus too.
There are seperate reservation fees for train an bus.
– if not how do i do the bernina bus bookings
See shop.rhb.ch/en/catalog /product/view/id/18
– does the bernina bus start from outside the tirano station or we need to board from some bus depot.
The bus depot is about a 5 to 6 minute walk from the station. Turn right out of station, walk under subway, turn left to find the red bus.
– how far would the lugano station be from the drop point of bernina bus.
The bus drops you at the station.
– how does one ensure a smooth move from bernina express to bernina bus
Just show up on time. BEX staff are there to handle luggage onto bus.
– are there other travel options between tirano and lucerne as i would be going to lucerne from lugano the same day
You can go by Italian train Tirano – Monza – Lugano.
-will all this travel be covered in stp
The Italian trains are not covered by STP. Swiss Travel Pass coverage is shown on the Area of Validity map ( PDF downloadable from http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass/validity).
It appears to me that you want to travel St Moritz – Tirano – Lugano– Luzern in one day. Is that correct?
If so it’s a bit too much I would suggest – a long day with no breaks so arguably not worth going via Lugano.
two options: St. Moritz – Bernina – Tirano – Bernina – Pontresina – Samedan – Chur – Thalwil – Luzern;
or
St Moritz – Tirano – Monza – Luzern . You would need an Italian train ticket for Tirano – Monza – ChiassoYou do not have to travel on the Bernina Express, any local/regional train is free to board in Graubünden if you have the right valid pass.
It is important to understand the difference between the ‘Bernina Express’ and the ‘Bernina Railway’. The Bernina Railway is the (originally independent) railway line from St Moritz to Tirano – it became part of the RhB in 1943. It has regular ‘normal’ train services :
http://www.fahrplanfelder.ch/ fileadmin/fap_pdf_fiel ds/2019/950.pdf
The Bernina Express runs through once a day from Chur, but the line from Chur as far as Samedan/Pontresina/St Moritz is the Albula railway not the Bernina railway.
Thank you so much for your prompt reply.
does the regular train take the same route as bernina express.if yes then why this craze for the train.
Sure does take the same route. Why is the Bernina Express so popular. Honestly? Partly marketing and partly the desire of tourists to tick off bucket-list items. “I did the Bernina Express when I was in Switzerland” has a much grander ring to it than “I caught a train from St Moritz to Tirano”. The scenery is the same. Many people prefer the regular trains and to be able to mix it with Swiss locals. 😉
THANKS .
May sound weird but are the seats equally comfortable in both the trains.And just to reconfirm once again that on 6th may 2019 there is no direct train from st moritz to tirano an di have to go via pontresina. Having problem in reading the time table.
Thank you.
But keeping aside the long duration is the bus trip to lugano worth it or no. This would be my 1st and last trip to Switzerland .I will not get another chance .I am there in Switzerland for 15 days. your views would be appreciated.
My contribution is at http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/the-reluctant-travellers-swiss-adventure-part4 😎
Hi Kmonex,
I see you’re receiving a lot of helpful input from the forum members.
The question if Lugano is worth the ride is hard to answer, as both beauty and acceptable travelling times are a very individual issue.
Check out this link to get an idea of Lugano:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/lu ganoRegarding your question about the connection St. Moritz – Tirano:
There ARE direct connections on the 6th of May between the two places (passing through Pontresina), check the timetable for details.In the timetable, the Bernina EXPRESS trains are marked with PE and the regular ones with R and a Nr.:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metableHope this helps.
Get back to us for further input.
Best,
StephI am totally lost now.
I will be travelling from Luzern via Zurich to do Chur to Tirano – it doesn’t matter what the train is called and would like to return the same day to Luzern.
I bought a Swiss Travel Pass for 4 days and not one of the websites on which I am trying to book, gives me the option to choose a Swiss Travel pass. Please assist? Where do I book and what do they call the Swiss Travel Pass?
Can I do this route in 1 day (return)?
Hi Marindap
Is your question related to this thread or is it a different question altogether? It might be helpful to post it as a new thread in that case.
If you have bought a Swiss Travel Pass you won’t need a ticket, just hop on the right train and show your pass to the conductor, I am not sure why you are trying to book?
Please have a look at:
to have a look at how your pass works with the Bernina Express.
In order to check times and connections, please use the timetable: http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable
As you can see on the timetable, it takes at least 6h 30 to go there and back, so doable but a very long day.
Hope this clears up the confusion.
Maria.
You can do it in a day if you don’t mind spending a long time in trains. Use the SBB Timetable (bit.ly/2HH1U7B) to plan your travel. If you are not familiar with using the timetable it will pay to first read the instructions on this page – http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable.
To inject a bit of variety into the journey look at the map at http://www.rhb.ch/en/panorami c-trains/bernina-express-offers/bernina-express-circular-tour#overview. You can do that all on regular trains with no reservations required.
Another option is to get yourself to Tirano in time to catch the once a day Bernina Express Bus to Lugano. From there you can get a fast train back to Luzern. Reservations are compulsory for the bus. See shop.rhb.ch/en/catalog /product/view/id/18.
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