[Removed user]

20 February 2018 at 1:45:12 #814432

Hello,

This would be my first trip to Switzerland. Based on some reading, I along with my family (4 adults and 3 children) would like to visit Mt. Titlis and take the Bernina Express (from Milan Side). Some questions.

Are these 2 different experiences? Please let me know.

Our Plan:

1. 05-Apr-2018: Arrive in Zurich around 12 Noon and take the train to Luzern. Stay at Luzern
2. 06-Apr-2018: Travel to Mt. Titlis and back. I saw a post that said some rail service is closed from 03-Apr-2018. Will this affect our visit? I am planning to take a train from Lucerne and the bookings upfront. Please suggest best ways to do it.
3. 07-Apr-2018: Take a train to Milan. Stay at Milan overnight
4. 08-Apr-2018: Take the Bernina Express. Is there any issue on the train services on that date?
5. 09-Apr-2018: 3 of us return to Manchester from Milan, while others travel to Venice.

Essentially, I have time from 12 Noon on 05-04-2018 to the afternoon of 09-04-2018, before we travel onward. Is there a better suggestion to utilise this time in Switzerland?

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[Removed user]

20 February 2018 at 8:51:42 #876825

Hi ramnram, and welcome to MySwissAlps,

Yes they are. The Bernina Express is a scenic train trip and Mt. Titlis is a mountain trip.

1. Sounds like a good plan
2. It’s not closed. You can plan your trip with the Swiss timetable. Tickets for Titlis are available online or from the ticket desk at the valley station in Engelberg. I would recommend you wait until you are there, because if Titlis is in the clouds, there is not much point going up. The ideal thing is to check the weather forecast 24-48 hours beforehand, then on the day you want to go up, check the webcam for visibility at the top before buying a ticket.
3. I wouldn’t take the train to Milan but to Chur from where the Bernina Express starts going south.
4. No, not that I’m aware of. There’s one leaving at 08:32 and one at 15:32. You could even go from Luzerne to Chur to Tirano. Stay one night in Tirano and from there to Milan. With the timetable you sort out what works best for you.
5. No problem

You could add a day to your Lucerne stay as there’s a lot to see and do, or add a night in St. Moritz which is on the Bernina Express route.

[Removed user]

20 February 2018 at 10:37:02 #876826

Hi Chantal,

Thank you very much!! Few more questions…

1. Will take your advice and not book tickets for the Titlis trip now.

2. If we do Titlis trip on 06-Apr-2018, then can we take a train from Luzern to Chur in the morning of 07-04-2018 and still take the Bernina Express OR

3. reach Chur stay overnight and then take the Bernina Express on 08-04-2018 and reach Milan late in the evening?

Rgds,

Ram

[Removed user]

20 February 2018 at 16:53:14 #876827

I would stay overnight in Chur. If you fancy you could visit Pilatus on the 7th and from there head to Chur in the afternoon.

[Removed user]

20 February 2018 at 17:21:20 #876828

Hi Chantal,

Again… Thanks! Updated…. Will the below itinerary work?

Prior to travel: Buy a Swiss Travel Pass* including Family Card. Advisable?

1. 05-Apr-2018: Arrive in Zurich around 12 Noon.

2. 05-Apr-2018: Around 1:00 PM take the train to Luzerne. Stay at Luzerne

3. 06-Apr-2018: Take the Train to Mt. Titlis and return to Luzerne

4. 07-Apr-2018: Visit Pilatus in the morning and head to Chur in the afternoon

5. 08-Apr-2018: Take the Bernina Express to Tirano from Chur

6. 08-Apr-2018: Head to Milan from Tirano

* Should I do this, would I need a 3 Day Consecutive Swiss Travel Pass or a 4 Day one? We are two families. 2 adults + 2 children (both 11) and 2 adults + one child (age 14). I understand children under 16 travel free?

Any service apartment OR Hotel recommendations for us at Luzerne and Chur?

Many Thanks! for your advice.

Rgds,

Ram

[Removed user]

20 February 2018 at 19:41:37 #876829

Hi Ram,

I think it looks good. I would go for a 4 day consecutive Swiss Travel Pass. I can’t tell if this is the cheapest option (for sure very convenient) but if you would like to know you can read the information on the web page how to choose the best rail pass and do the math.

Your kids travel for free but you’ll have to order the Swiss Family Card.

To make good use of your rail pass, you could include a boat trip in Lucerne when you arrive. Or you might have time to visit Rigi.

Unfortunately I can’t help you with accommodation for Chur. For hotels in Lucerne, click here.

[Arno]

20 February 2018 at 20:06:11 #876830

Hello Ram,

As for Chur: you can consider Drei Könige if you prefer an affordable hotel in the historical town center. I stayed there a couple of nights a long time ago. Or, very close to the train station, you can consider ABC Swiss Quality. Please see here to compare prices:

• http://www.hotelscombined.com /Hotel/Hotel_Drei_Koni ge_Chur.htm
• http://www.hotelscombined.com /Hotel/ABC_Swiss_Quali ty_Hotel_Chur.htm

[Removed user]

21 February 2018 at 1:17:50 #876831

Hi Chantal,

Thank you! yet again… We are all set.

Hi Arno,

Thank you! Will check these out. Any ideas in Luzerne?

Rgds,

Ram

[rockoyster]

21 February 2018 at 2:30:25 #876832

Hello Ram,

Did anyone mention you need to make reservations for the Bernina Express? See http://www.myswissalps.com/be rninaexpress/tickets.

[Removed user]

21 February 2018 at 5:03:12 #876833

Hello rockoyster,

Yes. I looked up. Missed this in my checklist. Thanks! for reminding.

Rgds

Ram

[Arno]

22 February 2018 at 9:54:00 #876834

Hi Ram,

For Luzern you can check Chantal’s link as our suggestions are listed there. If none of those hotels suit you, then please feel free to post to http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/accommodation (first read the post on top for instructions please).