chur to tirano

jackdebear

78 posts
active member

Apr 19, 2015 - 2:43 PM

I'll be taking a choo choo from Chur to Tirano in October. Something about this route really confuses me. I've taken trains in Switzerland before. Always seemed very straight forward. Go to the station, buy a ticket, wait for the next train. Not even important to check schedules as they run so frequently. On this route I understand there are express' and 'regional' trains. And they all take 4+ hours. I've seen Chur. Tirano doesn't sound like a touristic treat. (Just there to break the trip to Venice) So... The 'express' is just transportation so far as I can tell and leaves me with time to kill in in places of no particular interest. And it requires reservations and etc. Some questions about the 'regional' trains; Is there the same issues with reservations? Will the additional traffic to Milan for the Expo affect them? Are there still some with open windows? Can you get off and spend a few hours along the way? If you can break that ride is there anywhere along the way you can suggest a person might get out, stash luggage, and stretch their legs for 2 to 4 hour hike, or even a pleasant village to wander around?

Arno

15880 posts
expert &
moderator

Apr 20, 2015 - 8:28 AM

Hi Jack,

This route is serviced by the direct Bernina Express, and by regional trains that require 1 to 3 changes along the way. There are various places to take a break. A beautiful one is Morteratsch, where you can have lunch and/or a walk to the glacier. Also, you can get off the train at Bernina Diavolezza and take the cable car up. And there's Alp Grüm, another wonderful place to have lunch while enjoying the views. These are all small stations and I don't expect them to have lockers. Larger stations like St. Moritz do have lockers or a left luggage office. From there you can walk over to the Piz Nair cable car, or do a walk around the lake. Another option is Bergün, with its museum about the Bernina line.

Only the Bernina Express requires reservations. For the other trains, a regular ticket is sufficient, or none at all if you have a rail pass. So you can get off and on as you like.

The regular rolling stock no longer has opening windows as far as I know, but there are open air carriages in specific trains, please see here: www.rhb.ch/en/leisure-travel-and-excursions/groups-schools/charter-carriages/open-scenic-carriages.

MySwissAlps.com recommends to read this:
About the Bernina Express Bernina Express tickets and seat reservations

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