Chur, Bernina Express then Lake Como from Tirano

  • EvelynM
    Participant
    79 posts
    5 February 2020 at 1:57:33 #825109

    I’m almost finished getting my plan together but I have one sticking point. ..when I leave Wilderswil very early one morning, I plan to go to Chur….from there I will like to go on the Bernina Express to Tirano Italy…my question is…is it a good idea and will there be time to get a tour from Tirano to Lake Como….but I will also have to return to Chur on the same evening…is that feasible, and if yes what’s the best way to get from Tirano to Lake Como?

    Please help as I’m really not familiar, and could be making impractical plans.

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    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    5 February 2020 at 3:33:54 #929453

    Hi Evelyn,

    It is not possible to connect with the Bernina Express from Wilderswil. The BEX departs Chur at 8:32am there is only one departure per day. The earliest you could get to Chur from WIlderswil (departing 5:48) is 9:22 am. See http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/checking-train-timetables.

    It is possible to follow the BEX route on regular trains. See http://www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress.

    Could you give us a rough idea of what your itinerary looks like so we can offer a bit more targeted advice.

    EvelynM
    Participant
    79 posts
    5 February 2020 at 3:36:46 #929454

    Ok thank you I will adjust by trying to travel from Wilderswil to Chur the evening before and overnight in Chur….will post the updated outline of my trip for your guidance

    EvelynM
    Participant
    79 posts
    5 February 2020 at 3:51:16 #929455

    Trip Outline

    Day 1 Arrive Zurich

    Day 2 Travel to Bern and do a day tour and travel to Lucerne

    Day 3 Day tour of Lucerne

    Day 4 Engelberg, Titlis

    Day 5 Travel to Montreux via Golden pass route then to Wilderswil

    Day 6 Schilthorn and/or Lauterbrunnen valley

    Day 7 Jungfrau and travel to Chur

    Day 8 Bernina Express to Tirano…Lake Como…back to Chur

    Day 9 Travel to Geneva and day tour

    Day 9 Travel from Geneva and end.

    Any advice will be appreciated.

    EvelynM
    Participant
    79 posts
    5 February 2020 at 3:52:38 #929456

    Typo…Day 10 is departure day

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    5 February 2020 at 4:11:24 #929457

    Hi Evelyn,

    You seem to be doing a bit of doubling back across the country.

    I’d suggest you go direct to Luzern. You can easily do a day trip to Bern from there and not have to worry about carting luggage with you.

    Luzern to Wilderswil via the Golden Pass to Montreux is over 8 hours of train travel. You may be better going to WIlderswil and then deciding what you do from there based on weather. You could always do a day trip to Montreux from there if it is a priority. Personally I think the Golden Pass is a nice way to get from the Bernese Oberland to Montreux if you happen to be heading that way but I don’t think it justifies a day trip.

    From Lauterbrunnen a very nice circuit to do is to Grütschalp (cable car), Mürren (train), Gimmelwald (cable car), Stechelberg (cable car), Lauterbrunnen (bus). From Mürren you can easily visit Schilthorn (don’t miss The Thrill Walk at Birg) and even Allmendhubel if you have time. In between Stechelberg and Lauterbrunnen the bus stops at the Trummelbach Falls. Well worth a look.

    What did you have in mind for Lake Como? Rather than doubling back to Chur I’d suggest you consider going through to Lugano on the Bernina Express bus. You will travel along side part of Lake Como. Overnight in Lugano then go to Geneva via Andermatt or Domodossola.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    5 February 2020 at 5:41:50 #929458

    Hi EvelynM,

    I agree with Rockoyster regarding the criss-crossing and how to avoid that. I have just one short extension. Have you seen this about how to go to Italy from Switzerland? http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/italy

    Ildiko

    EvelynM
    Participant
    79 posts
    5 February 2020 at 9:50:12 #929459

    Thank you Rockoyster and Lldiko, I will research your suggestions and make some amendments…will get back to you all for confirmation

    EvelynM
    Participant
    79 posts
    6 February 2020 at 0:58:28 #929460

    Before I complete the recommended changes to my itinerary I wanted some clarification on one of the suggestions….you mentioned doing a circuit so let me know if I’m understanding it correctly please:-

    Wilderswil to Lauterbrunnen

    Lauterbrunnen to Grutchalp

    Grutchalp to Murren

    Murren to Schilthorn

    Schilthorn to Gimmelwald

    Gimmelwald to Stechelberg

    Stechelberg to Lauterbrunnen

    Lauterbrunnen to Wilderswil

    Is that correct and will I be able to use my Swiss rail pass for those trips…also what time should I start and what time am I likely to finish that day trip

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    6 February 2020 at 2:00:57 #929461

    Hi Evelyn,

    That’s correct. When you go up to Schilthorn there is a cable car to Bort (where the Thrill Walk is) and another cable car from there to Schilthorn. On the way back you come back down to Mürren then to Gimmelwald.

    Everything is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass except for Mürren to Schilthorn return which is discounted 50%. Price list at schilthorn.ch/cmsfiles/Tariffs_Schilthorn_2020_English_1.pdf.

    The circuit takes around 3½ hours from Wilderswil and return – not allowing for sightseeing along the way.

    EvelynM
    Participant
    79 posts
    6 February 2020 at 2:28:40 #929462

    Thank you…so this is my amended itinerary, please review and provide further feedback please:-

    Day 1 Arrive Zurich

    Day 2 Travel to Lucerne and tour of city

    Day 3 Engelberg, Monastery, Titlis

    Day 4 Travel to Bern and tour of city

    Day 5 Travel from Bern to Wilderswil. Day trip to Montreux, Castle Chilling. Return to Wilderswil

    Day 6 Lauterbrunnen circuit suggested

    Day 7 Jungfrau and travel to Chur

    Day 8 Bernina Express from Church to Tirano. Bernina Express bus to Lugano

    Day 9 Travel from Lugano to Geneva

    Day 10 Depart Geneva. The end

    ** I’m assuming I can travel with my luggage on the Bernina Express, is that correct??

    EvelynM
    Participant
    79 posts
    6 February 2020 at 2:29:28 #929463

    That should have been Castle Chillon

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    6 February 2020 at 4:45:16 #929464

    Hi Evelyn,

    That will work (but see further suggestion below) and yes you can travel with your luggage everywhere on Swiss trains.

    Are you staying in Bern on Day 4? If so then on Day 5 I would be inclined to go Bern – Montreux (leave bags at station) – Chateau de Chillon – Wilderswil via Zweisimmen (assuming you want to travel on the Golden Pass and Chillon is on your must do list). It still feels a bit odd going to Montreux then to Lugano then to Geneva given that Montreux and Geneva are only an hour apart.

    Here’s what I would do to hit your locations in the most efficient fashion:

    Day 1 – Zurich to Chur

    Day 2 – Bernina Express to Lugano

    Day 3 – Gotthard Panorama Express (or fast train) to Luzern

    Day 4 – Luzern

    Day 5 – Luzern

    Day 6 – Wilderswil

    Day 7 – Wilderswil

    Day 8 – WIlderswil

    Day 9 – To Montreux on Golden Pass, visit Chillon and continue to Geneva

    Day 10 – Fly off.

    This thread http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/most-scenic-route-from-bellinzona-to-fribourg is not entirely relevant it does include some discussion of the options for getting from Lugano (Bellinzona in the thread) to Geneva.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    6 February 2020 at 6:37:17 #929465

    Hi Evelyn,

    you can travel with your luggage on all of the Swiss trains. If you do not wish to travel with them check the luggage service of SBB: http://www.myswissalps.com/train/practical/luggage.

    You can see the validity map of the Swiss Travel Pass at http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity. Make sure to download the map and browse the list.

    Ildiko

    EvelynM
    Participant
    79 posts
    6 February 2020 at 9:47:42 #929466

    Thanks so much…These suggestions are great…will review thoroughly and make changes

    EvelynM
    Participant
    79 posts
    6 February 2020 at 14:59:12 #929467

    I’ve amended the itinerary in sync with the recommendations so I will repost it with a couple questions:-

    Day 1 Arrive in Zurich and travel to Chur

    Day 2 Bernina Express to Lugano (what’s a suggested time to depart Chur?)

    Day 3 Gothard Panorama Express to Lucerne (at which point is the switch from train to boat?)

    Day 4 Engelberg, Monastery, Titlis

    Day 5 Lucerne day tour

    Day 6 Lucerne to Wilderswil

    Day 7 Lauterbrunnen circuit

    Day 8 Jungfrau

    Day 9 Wilderswil to Montreux via the Golden Pass, Chillon, Geneva

    Day 10 Depart Geneva. The end

    ** Also should I get a 8, 9 or 10 day Swiss rail pass?

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    6 February 2020 at 19:19:31 #929468

    Hi Evelyn,

    That looks good.

    Day 2 – there is only 1 Bernina Express departure at 8:32. See http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/seat-reservations-on-the-bernina-express.

    Day 3 – the boat departs from Flüelen or you can continue on the train to Arth-Goldhau and connect there with a train to Luzern. See http://www.myswissalps.com/gotthardpanoramaexpress/gettingthere and http://www.myswissalps.com/gotthardpanoramaexpress/tickets.

    The Swiss Travel Pass does not com in 9 or 10 day versions. But there is a Flex version which allows you 8 days travel on the day of your choice in a month. See http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpassflex.

    EvelynM
    Participant
    79 posts
    6 February 2020 at 20:03:53 #929469

    Thanks again and close to getting the framework completed…a couple questions:-

    1) At what time does the Gothard Panorama Express depart Lugano?

    2) I’ve been getting hotel information easily except for Lugano, where I’m uncertain of the suitability of the options. So I will appreciate recommendations from anyone.. preferably close to the train station for the Gothard Panorama Express.

    3) with respect to the Bernina Express from what I gathered I will go from Chur to Tirano. However at what time does the onward bus from Tirano to Lugano depart Tirano?

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    6 February 2020 at 20:11:49 #929470

    1. 9:22 – see http://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/travel-in-switzerland/panoramareisen/gotthard-panorama-express/timetable.html

    2. See http://www.myswissalps.com/lugano/hotels. There is a funicular which runs from the town centre to the train station atop the hill. I stayed at the Hotel Walter Au Lac.

    3. See here. You need a reservation on the bus as well as the train.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    6 February 2020 at 20:18:40 #929471

    Hi EvelynM,

    if you would like to have rather an apartment in Lugano: http://www.myswissalps.com/lugano/rentals. For hotels use the link from Rockoyster.

    Here are some other threads regarding hotels in Lugano: http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/lugano-hotel-recommendations and http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/recommendations-for-hotel-in-lugano and http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/lugano-hotels-with-day-pass.

    I hope you find a good one for your stay.

    Ildiko

    EvelynM
    Participant
    79 posts
    6 February 2020 at 20:34:12 #929472

    Thanks so much….will review the hotels etc

Viewing 20 replies - 1 through 20 (of 58 total)
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