Getting to the Bernina Trek: Trains, Madulain & Poschiavo

The Bernina Trek is public-transport friendly — you don't need a car for a point-to-point hike from Madulain to Poschiavo. This guide covers how Lee reached the trailhead and got home after seven days.

Also read: Complete Guide · Itinerary · Trek overview

Route overview

Zurich (ZRH) airport
    → train → Chur / Engadin
    → RhB → Pontresina (pre-trek night)
    → RhB → Madulain (Day 1 start, ~30 min)
    → 7 days hiking → Poschiavo (finish)
    → RhB north to Zurich OR south to Tirano → Bernina Express

Getting to the start

International gateway

Zurich Airport (ZRH) is the easiest entry for most hikers. From there:

• Train to Chur or directly into the Engadin via the Rhaetian Railway (RhB)
• Connect to Pontresina or Madulain

Swiss Travel Pass or half-fare card can reduce train costs if you're travelling more widely.

Pre-trek night — stay in Pontresina

Don't rush straight to Madulain. Pontresina gives you:

• Gear shops and supermarket
• Weather check before Day 1
• Time to repack after the journey
• Easy RhB access

Day 1 morning: breakfast in Pontresina → train to Madulain (~30 minutes for me) → start hiking.

Trailhead

The official start is Madulain village. The first stage climbs immediately to Chamanna d'Es-cha — no cable car shortcut on Day 1.

On-trail transport (designed in)

Stage	Transport	CHF (approx.)
Day 3	Corvatsch gondola Surlej → Murtèl	~31 one-way
Day 6	RhB Pontresina ↔ Lagalb	varies
Day 5	Through Pontresina on foot	—

These aren't failures — they're part of the official itinerary. See itinerary and cost guide.

Finishing in Poschiavo

You walk into Poschiavo with the RhB station in town. Options:

Option A — North to Zurich

Poschiavo → St Moritz / Chur → Zurich. Fastest if you're flying home from ZRH.

Option B — South to Italy (Lee's route)

Poschiavo → Tirano, Italy (overnight) → Bernina Express (or regional RhB) back through the Bernina Pass landscapes you just hiked.

Train	Cost (approx.)	Notes
Bernina Express Tirano → Chur	~CHF 66 + ~44 panoramic reservation	Peak season; book ahead
Regional RhB	Less	Same line, no panoramic surcharge

Sitting in a panoramic carriage after seven days of walking is a fitting finish.

Lee's return: Poschiavo → Tirano (overnight) → Bernina Express to Chur → Zurich → overnight train to Amsterdam.

Practical tips

• Check RhB timetables before travel — last trains from remote valleys matter
• Bernina Express needs reservation in peak season; regional trains use the same tracks
• Mobile signal patchy on trail — download hut confirmations offline
• Italian side (Day 6–7) — euros useful in restaurants; huts still CHF
• No car needed — parking in Engadin is expensive and pointless for point-to-point

First-night checklist (Pontresina)

• Buy any missing gear (liner, poles, sunscreen)
• Withdraw CHF cash
• Download offline GPX / maps
• Confirm all six hut bookings
• Check Day 1 weather and trail status
• Pack Day 1 snacks and 2 L water capacity

Related planning

• Huts guide — book before you travel
• Cost guide — train and gondola budget
• Packing list — travel light on RhB platforms
• Navigation — offline maps before Madulain