Glacier Express & Bernina Express in 1 day

I am planning a trip where I would be taking the Glacier Express from Zermatt station at 07:52 and arriving at Chur at 13:24. The Bernina Express departs from Chur at 13:30 to Tirano. The arrival of Glacier and the departure of Bernina is quite very short period of time in between, I am wondering does the Bernina Express wait for Glacier Express in case if Glacier is running a little late. Does Glacier runs perfectly on time, every time? Kindly advice.

Hi Maheshrudra and welcome to MySwissAlps.com!

You can switch between the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express, for example in St. Moritz or Chur. It's best to take at least 2 days for such a combination because of the long train rides.

Usually it is no problem, changing trains in minutes is part of the efficient Swiss transport system. Our timetable page explains this in more details: www.myswissalps.com/timetable.

Learn more about the Glacier Express at www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress and the Bernina Express at www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress.

I hope that helps,

Ildiko

Thank you for the valuable reply, very much appreciated.

The arrival time at Chur is 13.24 and the departure time is 13.33, which is 9 minutes. The official minimum connecting time at Chur is 3 minutes, so the connection should be possible without problems.

However, as Ildiko says, if you are going on both trains all the way you would be on sealed window trains for a total of 11 hours - that's a long time!

However I wonder if there is some aspect you have not mentioned - where would you be going after the end of the Bernina Express in Tirano? Or is it that you are not going to Tirano?

Thank you for your reply, much appreciated. My plan to visit is during early August, I thought I could make both trains in one day, but realized it is not possible and too much stressful. I have adjusted my schedule to take a break at Chur for one night (IBUR Chur seems to be closer to the train station) and take the next day train to Tirano, from there, heading to Milan, which is my initial starting point. So its like a round trip,

Saturday | Milan -> Zermatt (Overnight Stay)

Sunday | Zermatt -> Chur (Overnight Stay)

Monday | Chur -> Tirano -> Milan

Once again, thank you for your right advice.

Yes, that is a much better itinerary. On that basis, you can leave Zermatt later and in fact don't forget you can do the Zermatt - Chur journey in normal trains - this would have the advantage that you could break the journey one or more times (depending on how much luggage you will have).

Zermatt - Chur is possible on ordinary trains with (usually) three easy changes of train, so for example you could break for lunch at Andermatt or Oberalppass.

For example:

09.37 Zermatt - Visp

11.08 Visp - Andermatt

13.28 Andermatt - Disentis Muster

14.44 Disentis - Chur

That's a valuable advice, I will certainly look into it. Thank you once again for the advice.

Hi Maheshrudra,

I could not find a hotel in Chur called IBUR Chur, maybe did you mean IBIS Chur? This one? https://www.hotelscombined.com/Hotel/Ibis_Chur.htm

Have a look at this one, it is closer to the train station, and has the same price level and review points: https://www.hotelscombined.com/Hotel/Hotel_Drei_Konige_Chur.htm.

As you are traveling 3 days in Switzerland, a Swiss Travel Pass would be great for you: www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass. You can read about the differences between local and panoramic trains here: www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress and www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress.

And as you are coming and going to Italy, make sure to have a look at this one too: www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/italy

Ildiko

Thank you so much Ildiko..

Yes, I made a typo, it is Ibis Chur and I appreciate you mentioned about the Hotel Drei Könige and it seems much better choice than Ibis Chur. Many many thanks for that.

I am planning to take the 3-day Swiss Travel Pass, and try to utilize the most on the three days I am staying in Switzerland. Would you recommend a good hotel in Zermatt if possible? I am thinking of Butterfly - Best Western, what would be your thoughts on it.

https://www.hotelscombined.com/Hotel/BEST_WESTERN_Hotel_Butterfly.htm

Thanks again,

Hi Maheshrudra,

I think that Hotel Butterfly in Zermatt should be a good choice, it has quite good review points at https://www.hotelscombined.com/Hotel/BEST_WESTERN_Hotel_Butterfly.htm. (I am always checking these points first, as it already should indicate whether it is a good hotel or not.) Also it is close to the train station.

You can find more hotels in Zermatt at www.myswissalps.com/zermatt/hotels.

3-day Swiss Travel Pass also sounds good. Here is how you can use it: www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/howtouse. And you can buy it here: www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/price.

Ildiko

This is the best forum I have ever seen in my life, giving valuable information and guidance for people who seeks answers. Thank you so much.

Hi maheshrudra,

The Hotel Butterfly looks like a nice hotel from some sites I've browsed through. However, being as close as it is to the train station, it doesn't offer any views of the Matterhorn. If that has any importance to you, it would be better at another hotel. Upon exiting the train station, one walks out into what basically is one big 'courtyard', where one can only see the upper tip of the Matterhorn. The Butterfly is just a bit down from there and essentially has no view of the Matterhorn. Again, if that has no bearing on your decision, that's fine. But there are tons, and tons of hotels to choose from there. Your choice, obviously, but I just wanted you to be aware of that. 'Mountain' view is not 'Matterhorn' view. Have a great trip.

Danielsan

Thank you for the honest opinion and I did not take a decision yet on the hotel, but if I get any suggestion on hotel with a good view, I would be happy to check it out. I really appreciate everyone who takes time to reply and give some positive feedback, this is the best one can get.

Most hotels in Zermatt - if they are orientated so that the Matterhorn is visible - will specify 'Matterhorn view' for some rooms. It is worth studying a few maps and diagrams as you will see that the Matterhorn is slightly 'round the corner' if looking south from Zermatt town centre. As such hotels more on the East side of town and those south of the centre have more chance of having Matterhorn views

Thank you so much, I will certainly keep in my mind your valuable advice when looking the hotels.. :)