72625 posts
Remember you don’t have to actually travel on the Bernina Express to traverse the Bernina railway, you can cover the route on normal trains (which is cheaper and doesn’t tie you down to specific train), but Grindelwald – Bernina – Italy is a long journey due to the Geography and topography.
You have two choices
If you definitely want to use the Bernina Express train, you need to overnight in Chur as it leaves Chur early: http://www.myswissalps.com/be rninaexpress.
If you decide to cover the route on regional trains (no less scenic), you can achieve Grindelwald– Tirano in one (long) day. It’s not a bad idea as Tirano is a nice town and has decent accomodation cheaper than Switzerland. To see how this pans out put Grindelwald – Tirano into the SBB planner and add via point Filisur: http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable.
8889 posts
Hello Fisherseller and Welcome to MySwissAlps,
By far the best way to check timetables, find fares* and buy tickets on-line if required is using the SBB Mobile app (bit.ly/2ICIUHi). In the unlikely event you don’t have a device capable of running the app then you can use the timetable on the SBB website (bit.ly/2HH1U7B). If you are not familiar with using the timetable it will pay to first read the instructions on this page – http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable.
* The SBB website shows half-fare prices by default, the mobile app allows you to nominate whether to show full or half-fares (by editing the passenger details in settings) and is also smart enough to offer you the Saver Day Pass (http://www.myswissalps.com/sa verdaypass) if that offers the best fare.
The timetable will give you the most direct route. You can also go via Göschenen an Andermatt (part Gotthard Panorama Express an part Glacier Express routes or via Brig and Andermatt (Glacier Express route).
If you do plan on using the Bernina Express (http://www.myswissalps.com/be rninaexpress) keep in mind you have to reserve seats.
See also http://www.myswissalps.com/tr aintickets/italy.
72625 posts
Hi Fisherseller,
here you can read about the differences between Bernina Express and regular trains if you scroll down a bit: http://www.myswissalps.com/be rninaexpress.
Learn more about how to combine the Gotthard Panorama Express and Glacier Express in one day: http://www.myswissalps.com/gl acierexpress/gettingth ere