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 starts in St. Moritz and takes you on a journey to Lugano taking around four hours. Enjoy a visit to the world-famous cosmopolitan holiday resort of St .Moritz, where you’ll find first-class hotels and exclusive shops. You then pass through Upper Engadin, with its traditional villages of Silvaplana and Sils, before reaching Maloja.

The Mediterranean influence can be felt as soon as you enter Val Bregaglia. In Castasegna, you’ll cross the border to Italy and be able to cool off under the first palm trees on the route through the market town of Chiavenna.

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

After reaching Gandria, you head back towards 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

  • Spa Town of St. Moritz
  • Lake Silser
  • Maloja Pass
  • The market town of Chiavenna
  • Lugano

Timetable and seat reservations for Palm Express

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The Palm Express runs:

  • Daily from mid-June to approx. mid-October
  • Daily between Christmas and New Year’s Day
  • Friday to Sunday during the rest of the year

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

Monte Brè

An old-fashioned funicular railway takes you up the Monte Brè, 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
Reserve your seat now

Hike

Duration

5 hrs

Level of difficulty

Medium

Distance

14 km

Altitude difference

+ 580 m / − 950 m

Starting point

Casaccia, Villaggio

Destination

Soglio, Villaggio

Additional information

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