Where to go from Tirano, Italy - Help please

hi, I should have posted this earlier but our trip in Switzerland keeps changing.

We're going on the Bernina Express on the 8th December 2015 and will end up in Tirano, Italy. The original is to go to Milan for one night and then train it back to Bern. We finally realized a day in Milan is just not worth it..

Where do we we go from Tirano, Italy? We will end up in Tirano around 2pm (1st bernina express train).

The trip to Zurich seems like a long trip. We have to be in Bern the next day as we have booked accommodation there.

Any suggestions ? Can we get to Lugano without travelling to Mlian?

thanks

Hi aammton, welcome to MySwissAlps!

Milan is indeed quite far off for a day trip. If I understand it correctly, you just have the afternoon of December 8 to spend and you'll have to be in Bern on December 9, right? There are many options. Here are some to consider:

• travel back to St. Moritz or a nearby town and spend the afternoon, night and next morning in the Upper Engadine. In early Winter there are chances of snow in the valley; no guarantees though, as it's been very warm and mild so far. Then, travel to Bern via Chur and Zurich. Alternatively you can use the Glacier Express route via Chur, Andermatt and Brig. The Glacier Express itself isn't operational yet, but regional trains are available on the same route. You can find all connections in the timetable. Entering a 'via' station allows you to search for several routes.
• travel to Lugano after your arrival in Tirano. You don't necessarily have to do so via Milan. The timetable also shows options via Monza, just north of Milan. Do mind that getting to Lugano adds another 4 hours to your Bernina Express trip. The next day, you can make a scenic ride up north. You can do so via Bellinzona, Göschenen, Flüelen and Andermatt (roughly following the Wilhelm Tell Express route) or via Bellinzona, Göschenen, Brig and Spiez/Thun.

I hope this helps you to plan your trip towards Bern!

Thanks that really helps. I've always that the only way to get to Lugano is via a bus service.

Yeah the idea behind a Milan day trip is go on a espresso crawl - u know like a pub crawl :)

St. Moritz seems like quite an expensive place to stay over night :)