[Therealdktod]

26 July 2021 at 5:09:19 #825968

I’ll be in Switzerland within the next two weeks and would like to incorporate the Bernina Express trip from Lugano to St Moritz as part of my itinerary spending two nights in each city. What is the most economical way to book this train trip? Really appreciate the insight.

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[Anna]

26 July 2021 at 7:21:04 #935853

Hi Therealdktod,

Welcome to MySwissAlps.

You can get tickets for the Bernina Express and make seat reservations from a list of resellers here: http://www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress/tickets

From Lugano, you need to take the Bernina Express bus to Tirano. The Bernina Express trains run daily from Tirano to St Moritz or Chur as detailed here: http://www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress/gettingthere. You can check the schedules using the SBB timetable: http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable

Hope this helps you to plan your trip.

Regards,

Anna

[Annika]

27 July 2021 at 7:47:23 #935854

Hi Therealdktot!

Will you be using a rail pass while traveling? If so, the rides in these panoramic trains will be discounted or even for free. If they’re for free, you’ll only have to arrange for seat reservations and not for tickets. A rail pass saves money in nearly all cases. These pages might help:

• http://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses
• http://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/chooserailpass

Note that the Swiss Travel Pass and the Swiss Travel Pass Flex are discounted by 25% if you purchase this month (valid until July 31): http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/swiss-travel-pass-25-off-for-trips-in-20212022.

[Therealdktod]

28 July 2021 at 0:28:09 #935855

Thanks for the above Annika.

In terms of transport I’m currently looking at the following side trips when in Switzerland:

Train or ferry to Montreux from Geneva

Train from Geneva to Zermatt

Train from Zermatt to Lugano

From Lugano take the Bernina Express to St. Moritz

Train from St. Moritz to Zurich

We are both seniors (61 & 60 respectively) so assuming we’ll receive a discount. Considering the above stops which pass do you feel offers the best savings? Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Travel Pass Flex? Or would the half off pass be best?

Thanks again for your help Annika.

All the best

DK

[Removed user]

28 July 2021 at 8:30:10 #935856

Hi DK,

without a calculation, it is difficult to know which rail pass would be the best solution for your itinerary. At this link (Annika mentioned it) http://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/chooserailpass, you’ll find a downloadable calculation spreadsheet, it will help you. You can find all the relevant ticket prices in the timetable (http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable), use the advanced timetable. Be careful when you are calculating the prices of the point to point tickets, SBB timetable shows already the half-price (as you would have the Swiss Half Fare Card).

You can read about the passes here:

• http://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard
• http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpassflex
• http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass

Hope this helps, let me know if you have further questions.

Ildiko

[Therealdktod]

28 July 2021 at 16:35:57 #935857

Thanks for the assistance.

Utilizing the travel calculator I’ve opted for the Swiss Travel Pass.

In terms of refining my itinerary. I’m currently heading from Geneva to Zermatt and then from Zermatt to Lugano with a Bernina Express ride to St. Moritz to conclude.

However, I noticed Glacier Express offers a trip to St Moritz from Zermatt. Would it be more efficient to go from Zermatt to St. Moritz via Glacier Express followed by Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Lugano. Than concluding by heading from Lugano to Zurich?

Appreciate your thoughts.

DK

[Removed user]

28 July 2021 at 19:42:10 #935858

Hi DK,

I forgot to mention that I recommend the boat on Lake Geneva (from Geneva to Montreux) as they are 100 years old steamboats. If you think it is too long then travel to Lausanne by train and take the boats from there to Montreux. More info: http://www.myswissalps.com/boatlakegeneva

Back to your recent question, you have more options. You can travel from Zermatt to St Moritz by the Glacier Express. And from St Moritz to Lugano via Italy by the Bernina Express.

Or, take the Glacier Express from Zermatt to Andermatt, change in Andermatt – Göschenen and continue your trip by the Gotthard Panorama Express to Lugano.

Here you can read about these panoramic trains:

• Gotthard Panorama Express: http://www.myswissalps.com/gotthardpanoramaexpress
• Glacier Express: http://www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress
• Bernina Express: http://www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress

Ildiko