Graubünden

Palm Express

Experience a Postbus journey full of contrasts, from glaciers to palm trees. The journey takes you over the Maloja Pass, through Val Bregaglia to Chiavenna (Italy), and then along Lake Como and Lake Lugano, before reaching the city of Lugano.

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A Postbus travelling along Lake Lugano towards St Moritz, with Monte Brè in the background.
A Postbus travelling along Lake Lugano. © Georg Aliesch

The Palm Express connects the glamorous St. Moritz with the Mediterranean city of Lugano in around 3.5 hours. The journey takes you over the Maloja Pass, through Val Bregaglia to Chiavenna (Italy) and then along Lake Como and Lake Lugano to Lugano. Experience a Postbus journey full of contrasts, from glaciers to palm trees.

Your journey begins in the picturesque Upper Engadin, where majestic peaks and the crystal-clear Lake Silser and Lake Silvaplana dominate the scenery. On your way, you will pass charming villages such as Silvaplana, Sils and Maloja.

Enjoy a stay in the world-famous cosmopolitan holiday resort of St. Moritz before your departure where you’ll find first-class hotels and exclusive shops. St. Moritz is also the birthplace of alpine winter tourism (1864).

After crossing the winding bends of the Maloja Pass, you leave Upper Engadin and head down into the wild and romantic Val Bregaglia. Take a detour to Soglio, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland. After crossing the border into Italy in Castasegna, you can enjoy some refreshments in the market town of Chiavenna.

The Palm Express then takes you past the deep blue lakes of Mezzola and Como, lined with the holiday villages of Sorico, Gera Lario, Domaso, Gravedona, Dongo and Menaggio. You can also enjoy the view of Lake Lugano.

At Gandria, you return to Switzerland. In this picturesque village on Monte Brè, you’d think you were by the Mediterranean. From there, it’s just a short hop to Lugano, the vibrant hub of Ticino. 

Highlights

The Palm Express runs all year round as follows:

Eyecatcher title Important information Eyecatcher text
  • St. Moritz–Lugano daily at 10 a.m. from St. Moritz, Bahnhof
  • Lugano–St. Moritz every day at 2.40 p.m. from Lugano, Stazione Nord

Seat reservations are mandatory and should be made by 8.30 a.m. on the day of departure.

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© Milo Zenecchia
© Georg Aliesch
© BREGAGLIA Engadin Turismo
© Engadin St. Moritz Tourismus

Monte Brè

An old-fashioned funicular railway takes you to Monte Brè, up above Lugano. Visitors who are more athletic can hike or hire a mountain bike from the railway station. Take in the majestic views over the bay of Lugano and the Alps.

The Via Panoramica trail in Val Bregaglia

Follow the Via Panoramica trail downhill all the way to Soglio. The Postbus from St. Moritz or Chiavenna will drop you off conveniently in Casaccia, where you will find the beginning of the romantic “Sentiero Panoramico” trail. This path leads you through lush natural surroundings and repeatedly opens up onto breathtaking views of the sun-facing side of the Bregaglia range.

Reservations
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Hike

Duration

5 hrs

Difficulty level

Medium

Distance

14 km

Altitude difference

580 + m / 950 - m

Outward journey

Casaccia, Villaggio

Return journey

Soglio, Villaggio

Additional information

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