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If you want to get a picture-perfect view of the Alps, why not climb aboard the Bernina Express, one of the most panoramic trains in Switzerland?
Travelling in both directions and traversing the highest railway in the Alps, the Bernina Express Route links northern and southern Europe, connecting Switzerland and Italy. The scenic journey travels along both the Albula Line and the Bernina Pass and covers 122 kilometres.
Passengers can sit back and take in the stunning backdrop, as well as sample a variety of cultures and languages. When you ride on the Bernina Express, Switzerland’s many highlights – both natural and man made – will leave you breathless.
And best of all – travel on the Bernina Express is FREE* if you hold a Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card or a Eurail Pass (*seat reservation fees apply). Read on to find out more.
In this guide, we cover all the information you need to know about planning and booking your ride on the Bernina Express.
Everything you need to know about the Bernina Expres
Bernina Express Route Map
The Bernina Express crosses the picturesque canton of Graubünden, following the classic route of Chur to Tirano in Italy via the resort town of St. Moritz.
Travelling between Chur and Tirano takes just under four and a half hours whilst the shorter Bernina Express Tirano to St. Moritz journey, (or vice versa), takes around 2.5 hours.
The Bernina Express will take you through the Bernina Pass and the Albula Pass, a railway journey that has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Alpine landscapes line the journey as the train passes under 55 tunnels and over a staggering 196 bridges along the way.
There are steep gradients to negotiate, too. The Bernina train climbs as high as 2,253 metres to reach Ospizio Bernina Station, located on the banks of Lago Bianco.
As you would expect, the views from here are spectacular.
Joining the Bernina Express from other European destinations
You can connect with the Bernina Express from Milan and other cities such as Zurich. Bernina Express passengers will need to travel from their city of departure to Chur or Tirano and board the Bernina Express there. A few options:
- Zurich to Chur: Direct Intercity (1hr 15min) to Chur or a direct regional train
- Milan to Tirano: Bernina Express passengers can take a direct regional train to Tirano (around 3 hours)
- Vienna or Salzburg to Chur: Train to Sargans (Switzerland) then change trains and board one to Chur
- Paris, Munich or Cologne to Chur: Train to Karlsruhe (Germany) or Zurich (Switzerland), then change trains and board one to Chur
The Bernina Express Bus
The original Bernina Express Bus began operating back in 2010, transporting thousands of passengers annually and travelling in both directions between Tirano and Lugano.
The bus, which takes passengers on a scenic journey through vineyards and along the shores of Lake Como, is easily recognisable as it is the same colour as the unmissable red train Bernina Express.
Journey time aboard the Bernina Express Bus between Tirano and Lugano is three hours, and the service does not operate during the winter season.
TIP: If you are travelling from Switzerland to Italy or vice versa, remember to carry your Passport.
Bernina Express Route Highlights
The Bernina Express takes you on a memorable journey, and you will see some wonderful sights along the way, including:
Landwasser Viaduct
Sandwiched between Thusis and St. Moritz, on the Albula stretch of railway, the Landwasser Viaduct is a majestic sight. An impressive feat of engineering and construction, the viaduct was built in 1902 and features pillars that stand at a towering 65 metres.
Nowadays, Landwasser is admired by railway enthusiasts and tourists alike and is considered one of the most famous railway overpasses in the world.
Alp Grüm
Located on the southern side of the Bernina Pass in Poschiavo (one of Switzerland’s most beautiful villages), Alp Grüm can only be accessed by train or on foot.
The station provides impressive panoramic views, sweeping across the Poschiavo Valley and drawing your eye to the Bergamasker Alps beyond.
Glacial waters tumble down the rocks, forming glistening icy pools of turquoise. Take a moment to enjoy nature in all its glory!
Ospizio Bernina
As mentioned above, the Ospizio Bernina railway station, which sits between Poschiavo Valley and Engadin, is located at 2,253 metres above sea level and is the highest point on the journey.
Valposchiavo
Located in the southern canton of Graubünden, the valley of Poschiavo (Val di Poschiavo) offers dramatic panoramas of mountain peaks. Highlights of the main town, Poschiavo, include its Mediterranean climate and Italian-influenced architecture.
Brusio Circular Viaduct
Opened back in 1908, the Brusio Circular Viaduct – or the Viadotto elicoidale di Brusio, as they refer to it in Italy – is a well-known feature on the world-heritage listed Bernina railway.
The stone, nine-arched spiral railway viaduct features a single track and was erected to curb the railway’s incline and ensure it stayed within the specified 7% gradient.
Bernina Express Timetable
During summer, there are two daily Bernina Express services between Chur and Tirano (and vice versa), one of which operates year round. There are three summer services daily between St. Moritz and Tirano (and vice versa).
For bus connections between Tirano and Lugano, one daily service operates in each direction from early May until 31 October.
> Click here to see the timetable.
The Bernina Express winter timetable is more limited with just one daily service between Chur and Tirano and one service between St. Moritz and Tirano. The same applies in the reverse direction.
The Bernina Express bus between Tirano and Lugano (and vice versa) operates Thursday to Sunday during November, February and March with one daily service from 30 March until 23 October, 2023.
Bernina Express Tickets – First Class or Second Class?
You can choose to travel first or second class on the Bernina Express. Here’s what each class has to offer:
Bernina Express Second Class
- Large panoramic windows offering spectacular views
- Sights described in a variety of languages via loud speaker, including English
- Reserved seat in a bay of 4 seats (2×2 seats adjacent to the corridor)
- Tables provided for each seat
- Info(t)rainment: personal digital tour guide available to download to your smartphone or tablet
Bernina Express First Class
- Large panoramic windows offering spectacular views
- Sights described in a variety of languages via loud speaker, including English
- Quiet ambience
- Spacious seating
- Reserved seat in bay of 4 seats (2 seats opposite each other and, 2+1 seats adjacent to the corridor)
- Tables provided for each seat
- Info(t)rainment: personal digital tour guide available to download to your smartphone or tablet
*Headphones available from the mini bar for CHF 2.00.
Facilities onboard the Bernina Express
The Bernina Express offers a number of facilities to its passengers. The modern panoramic carriages provide unspoiled views of the Bernina Railway’s Alpine surroundings.
If you can tear yourself away from the vistas, enjoy a drink or sandwich from the refreshment trolley. The helpful staff also have souvenirs for you to browse, so you can pick up a memento to remind you of the journey.
A relatively new addition to the Bernina Express is free onboard WiFi, but with the stunning scenery outside your window, you’re not likely to spend much time looking at your mobile device!
Bernina Express ticket price
Regular ticket prices* for the Bernina Express are as follows:
| Single 2nd cl. | Single 1st cl. | Return 2nd cl. | Return 1st cl. | |
| Chur – Tirano | CHF 63 | CHF 111 | CHF 126 | CHF 222 |
| Chur – Poschiavo | CHF 56 | CHF 98 | CHF 112 | CHF 196 |
| St. Moritz – Tirano | CHF 32 | CHF 56 | CHF 64 | CHF 112 |
*Prices are per adult and do not include seat reservation fee
Bernina Express discounts
Discounts apply to the regular Bernina Express price for holders of the following travel passes:
>> Swiss Travel Pass – Travel on the Bernina Express is included with the Swiss Travel Pass however a seat reservation is required (see section below) at an additional cost. > Click here to buy your Swiss Travel Pass
>> Swiss Half Fare Card – Holders of a Swiss Half Fare Card receive a 50% discount on the regular ticket price. Seat reservation fee is additional. > Click here to buy your Swiss Half Fare Card
>> Eurail Pass – If you hold a Eurail Pass that covers Switzerland, travel on the Bernina Express is included, however seat reservation fees apply. > Click here to buy your Eurail Pass
Where to buy Bernina Express tickets
Ready to make your Bernina Express booking? We recommend you purchase your tickets well in advance of your travel date.
As one of Switzerland’s five premium panoramic trains, tickets on the Bernina Express sell out quickly, so to avoid disappointment, book your Bernina Express tickets online. (You only need to purchase an actual ticket if you don’t hold one of the travel passes mentioned above.)
Making a Bernina Express seat reservation
Due to its popularity, seat reservations are compulsory for all travellers on the Bernina Express and the Bernina Express Bus, and differ slightly in price depending on when you travel.
Regardless of whether you hold a travel pass or are purchasing a point-to-point ticket for your trip on Bernina Express, you must purchase a seat reservation.
Current seat reservation prices for the Bernina Express train are:
- Summer: 1 June to 30 September – CHF 26.00
- Shoulder: 1 March to 31 May and 1 October to 31 October – CHF 24.00
- Winter: 1 November to 28 February – CHF 20.00
Seat reservation fees on the train include an exclusive gift for every passenger: an ice tea with herbs from the Valposchiavo and Lindt chocolate hearts in a beautiful Bernina Express Box.
Current seat reservation prices for the Bernina Express bus are:
- Summer: 1 June to 30 September – CHF 16.00
- Shoulder: 1 March to 31 May and 1 October to 31 October – CHF 14.00
- Winter: 1 November to 28 February – CHF 10.00
Prices are per sector. For example, if you are travelling on both the Bernina Express train and bus during summer, you need to pay CHF 26.00 per person for the train sector and CHF 16.00 per person for the bus sector, totalling CHF 42.00 per person.
No reductions apply to seat reservation fees.
Bernina Express reservations open three months before the travel date and it is recommended that you reserve your seat as early as possible. > Click here to make your Bernina Express seat reservation.
Planning a trip to Switzerland?
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Taking luggage on the Bernina Express
The Bernina Express has no luggage restrictions as the train has luggage racks near the doors that are suitable for big suitcases. You will also find useful wardrobes next to the doors where you can hang jackets and coats.
Valuables and smaller bags can be taken with you to your allocated seat where you will find a space for storage.
Bernina Express or Glacier Express?
The Glacier Express is another very well-known Swiss panoramic train and takes passengers from St. Moritz to Zermatt. The Glacier Express route is certainly scenic, but many would argue that the Bernina Express offers a more breathtaking route.
With the many highlights along the way, the Bernina Railway will provide you with a four-hour journey you won’t forget in a hurry.
And, if you are a little short on time, the shorter duration of the Bernina Express ride compared to the Glacier Express’ 8-hour journey time, can also be a deciding factor.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a magical journey through awe-inspiring Alpine scenery, you won’t be disappointed with your trip on the Bernina Express.
Podcast
Learn more about the Bernina Express in our podcast (around 16:34). Click the green arrow below to listen.
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