Bernina Express

A UNESCO-listed mountain railway with big scenery and straightforward logistics.

Journey Time: Around 4 hours for the through ride from Chur to Tirano on the Bernina Express service.

Best Time to Go: Late spring to autumn is easiest for clear roads and longer daylight, while winter brings deep snow scenery. The highest section around Ospizio Bernina can feel wintry even in shoulder seasons.

Tickets & Costs: You need both a valid rail ticket and, on the named Bernina Express panoramic trains, a seat reservation. Standard (non panoramic) regional trains on the same route can be used with normal tickets and usually without a reservation.

Classes: Typically 1st and 2nd class seating. The key difference on this route is panoramic reserved carriages versus regular regional stock rather than luxury service.

Boarding: Start at Chur station (or join at St. Moritz depending on the service) and follow platform displays for the Bernina line toward Tirano. Arrive a little early if you have a reservation for a specific carriage and seat.

The Bernina Express runs over the Rhaetian Railway network, combining the Albula and Bernina routes that are recognised together as the Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes UNESCO World Heritage corridor. It is notable for achieving a major Alpine crossing using adhesion railway engineering rather than a rack system.

From the forests and gorges around Chur and the Albula valley, the line climbs into high mountain terrain near St. Moritz and the Engadin, then continues up to the pass at Ospizio Bernina. The descent into the Italian-speaking Val Poschiavo and on to Tirano strings together glaciers, lakes, stone villages, and tightly curved viaducts on a surprisingly compact journey.

• Chur - Depart Switzerland’s oldest city and quickly trade the Rhine valley for mountain scenery as the line heads into the canton of Graubünden.
• Thusis - The landscape tightens into gorges and wooded slopes; keep an eye out for bridges and rushing water as you climb.
• Filisur - Gateway to one of the route’s signature structures, with classic Alpine village views and forests giving way to higher terrain.
• Landwasser Viaduct - A highlight: the train curves across the tall stone viaduct and straight into a tunnel in the cliff. Have your camera ready well in advance.
• St. Moritz - A major Engadin hub and common join point; after here the line turns toward higher, more open mountain landscapes.
• Bernina Pass / Ospizio Bernina - The high point of the ride, with stark alpine scenery and lakeside views around Lago Bianco.
• Alp Grüm - A famed viewpoint section over the Val Poschiavo with a dramatic change from high alpine terrain to greener slopes as you begin the long descent.
• Poschiavo - Enter Italian-speaking Switzerland, passing meadows and village rooftops before the tight curves and engineering features closer to the border.
• Brusio Spiral Viaduct - The line loops over itself in a full circle to lose height; watch for the train’s own carriages ahead as you curve around.
• Tirano - Finish in Italy at the edge of Lombardy, steps from onward trains and a very different atmosphere from the high Alps.

For the clearest views and the longest daylight on the high sections near Ospizio Bernina and Alp Grüm, late spring through early autumn is a safe bet. You are more likely to see lakes and higher slopes without fresh snow obscuring detail, and connections at either end are generally simpler.

Winter rides can be spectacular for snowbound scenery on the Bernina Pass, but daylight is shorter and weather can limit visibility. Timetables and the mix of panoramic versus regional services can vary by season, so confirm exact departure times before you commit to a same-day connection.

Most travellers start at Chur, which has frequent Swiss rail connections, or join via St. Moritz if coming from the Engadin. Both stations are set up for easy transfers from other trains.

At the Italian end, Tirano links onward by rail into Lombardy. Stopovers are practical because the same railway corridor is also served by regular regional trains, so you can break the trip in places like St. Moritz or Poschiavo and continue later (check timetables and reservation rules if you switch between panoramic and regional services).

To ride the named Bernina Express panoramic trains, you generally need two things: a transport ticket valid for the route and a separate seat reservation for the panoramic carriage. If you prefer flexibility, consider using the regular regional trains on the same line, which usually do not require a panorama reservation and allow easier stopovers.

Book ahead for peak summer dates and for guaranteed seats in the panoramic cars. Many travellers use Swiss rail passes on the Swiss portion, but reservation supplements and cross-border validity details depend on the product, so check the conditions for the specific pass and the section you plan to ride.