7116 posts
Welcome VivianY! There are several options for an overnight stay, depending on how you want to spread your travel hours over the Glacier Express ride and the continuing trip to Milan. You could stay in Chur, resulting in a 6 hour trip for the Glacier Express and a 8 to 9 hour trip the next day to Milan. Personally, I would prefer ending the entire Glacier Express route the same day, ending up in St. Moritz or a nearby town. That takes about 8 hours, but obviously results in a more relaxed trip to Milan the next day. Moreover, the St. Moritz region is stunning and it’s worth spending a few hours there on the evening of arrival or the morning of departure. The timetable allows you to check all options.
St. Moritz hotels are listed here. You may also want to look for hotels in surrounding towns, which may be cheaper. Examples are Pontresina, Celerina, Samedan and Bever.
As for rail passes: I don’t know if you have further travel plans in Italy, but looking at your current information I’d say that you’re best off with a 3 day Swiss Saver Flexi Pass. This allows three full days of free traveling throughout the country, to be used on Saturday 5, Sunday 6 and Monday 7. You would only need additional seat reservations for the Glacier Express and Bernina Express and a regular ticket from Tirano to Milan.
72625 posts
Thank you very much for your kind and informative reply, Annika. I really appreciate your input. We have decided to complete the GE, then take a train to Pontresina and stay there the night (Hotel Bernina).
Thanks also for your recommended railpass information. That sounds good, assuming we wouldn’t be better off with something that includes Italy. Our total train rides will include:
– Zurich to Zermatt (Oct 5)
– GE from Zermatt to St Moritz (Oct 6)
– St Moritz to Pontresina (Oct 6 also)
– Bernina Express from Pontresina to Tirano, Italy (Oct 7)
THEN, IN ITALY:
– Tirano to Milan Oct 7
– Milan to Venice Oct 8
– Civitaveccia to Rome Oct 19
– Rome to airport (Leonardo Express) Oct 20
Again, many thanks!
Viv
7116 posts
Hi Viv! It would be helpful if you tell me where you’re from, as there are differences in available pass types for European and non-European residents. If you provide me with your country of residence, I can be of better help.
72625 posts
[quote]Annika said: Hi Viv! It would be helpful if you tell me where you’re from, as there are differences in available pass types for European and non-European residents. If you provide me with your country of residence, I can be of better help.[/quote]Sorry… my husband and I are from Canada.
Thanks!
Viv
7116 posts
Hello Viv. In that case: there’s no rail pass covering just Switzerland and Italy. There’s the Eurail Select Pass, but that’s for 3 to 5 countries, so that will be too expensive for your plan. You can best arrange for passes/tickets for both countries separately. As for the Swiss part of your stay: I do think the Swiss Saver Flexi Pass I mentioned is best. As for Italy: you can take a look at the Eurail Italy Pass, but you would have to calculate whether this is actually cheaper than buying regular tickets.