How to do one day scenic train ride from Lugano

  • Gigitam
    Participant
    11 posts
    12 July 2019 at 22:20:43 #822809

    We are 6 active seniors, after 7 days bus tour from Zurich to Lugano , would stay one full day in Lugano on March 29,2020. We would like to taste the experience of scenic train ride, might I know how to do it. I found there is a day tour from Milan, but we might not have enough time to go to Milan to join the tour. Is there have any similar day train tour start from Lugano, or how we could if if go by ourselves.

    Thank you for your advice and this is a very good information source website.Thank you for your efforts in helping.

    Grace

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    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    12 July 2019 at 22:42:34 #917637

    Hello Grace and Welcome to MySwissAlps,

    It’s a bit difficult to comment without knowing what you have already seen.

    The numerous boat cruises around Lake Lugano are very scenic and relaxing and trips to Monte Bre and/or Monte San Salvatore offer great views.

    Perhaps you may find some further inspiration at http://www.myswissalps.com/ti cino/activities or a trip report I wrote some time back.

    Gigitam
    Participant
    11 posts
    12 July 2019 at 23:58:36 #917638

    http://www.visitacity.com/en/ milan/activity-details/activity/10006 315/2872ZV15?src-share=app
    This is the information of the train tour from Milan
    Please advise if there is a similar one from Lugano, or different route to
    St Moritz

    Thank you

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    13 July 2019 at 0:37:36 #917639

    Well you can get the Bernina Express bus from Lugano and train from Tirano to St Moritz but that is hardly a day trip from Lugano. Although I note the Viator trip is 12½ hours. Are you comfortable with that sort of day?

    See Bernina Express (http://www.myswissalps.com/be rninaexpress).

    Annika
    Moderator
    7116 posts
    13 July 2019 at 6:09:22 #917640

    Hi Grace,

    If you’re looking for a scenic train trip and don’t mind spending quite some hours on a train, Rockoyster’s suggestion for the Bernina Express trip is a good one. Similarly, you can look into (part of the) Gotthard Panorama Express: http://www.myswissalps.com/go tthardpanoramaexpress. Note that there’s a lot to see and do in Lugano region itself. If you only get to spend one day there, you may want to explore this beautiful area instead, rather than traveling away from it. The link provided by Rockoysters also lists activities closer to Lugano.

    Gigitam
    Participant
    11 posts
    13 July 2019 at 13:09:30 #917641

    Thank you for your advice. Do you know if the Bernina express bus is running at end of March?
    Also do know if any tour company has the package tour starts from Lagano?

    Thank you Rockoyster and Annika. It is our dream to take the train ride in Swiss Alps, but do it in a easy way because of our age.

    Arno
    Moderator
    15482 posts
    13 July 2019 at 13:37:38 #917642

    Hi Grace,

    You’ll find dates of operation on the Route tab of Rockoyster’s Bernina Express link. Last year the bus did operate in March, so I assume it will be next year as well.

    Gigitam
    Participant
    11 posts
    13 July 2019 at 14:30:21 #917643

    It does not operate till mid April. Thank you for your suggestions

    Annika
    Moderator
    7116 posts
    13 July 2019 at 14:47:58 #917644

    Hi Gigitam,

    I’m not sure if dates for April 2020 are published yet, but maybe you’ve found them somewhere? I see that in 2019, the Bernina Express bus was operating on Thursdays to Sundays between February 21 and April 21. I guess there will be a similar timetable next year.

    Gigitam
    Participant
    11 posts
    13 July 2019 at 19:03:53 #917645

    Sorry Anika I meant Gotthard

    Gailannski
    Participant
    45 posts
    13 July 2019 at 21:20:19 #917646

    To visit more of Ticino, I would recommend going to Valle Verzasca and take the bus all the way to the end to Sonogno. There will be many wonderful sites all along the way. This does require making a few connections coming from Lugano but it’s well worth it. Another option is also going to Locarno and then taking the Centovalli train as far as the Italian town of Re, where there is a spectacular cathedral to visit. Have lunch there also and then come back the same way.

    Annika
    Moderator
    7116 posts
    14 July 2019 at 9:37:41 #917647

    Hi Gigitam,

    So did you meen to inquire if there’s a Gotthard Panorama Express bus running in April? There’s no bus on that route: http://www.myswissalps.com/go tthardpanoramaexpress/ gettingthere. Anyway, you’re right that the official panoramic trains won’t be running end March (at least they didn’t this year), but you can follow the same route using regular regional trains if you like. Please refer to “Regular trains and boats versus the official Gotthard Panorama Express” at http://www.myswissalps.com/go tthardpanoramaexpress.

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