The Bernina Express is a scenic train journey that takes you through the stunning landscapes of the Swiss Alps, connecting Chur/St. Moritz and Tirano in Italy. As you ride along, you'll pass by glaciers, lakes, and picturesque towns, making it one of the most spectacular ways to cross the Alps. With its iconic Landwasser Viaduct and other stunning things to see, this train adventure offers an unforgettable experience for travelers looking to experience Switzerland and end up in Italy to get a gelato for the way back!
⛰️ The Routes
Chur → Tirano (full scenic route) — the longest and most iconic option (about 4–4.5 hrs).
St. Moritz → Tirano (shorter) — about 2.5 hrs and still very scenic.
🎟️ Prices & How Tickets Work
Bernina Express has two parts to the cost:
Train fare — the actual ticket for your journey.
Mandatory seat reservation — even if you have a rail pass, you must reserve a seat in the panoramic carriages.
🎟️ Discounts & Passes
Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Travel Pass Flex: covers the train journey entirely — you only pay the seat reservation.
Swiss Half Fare Card: reduces the base ticket price by about 50% — the reservation is still full price.
Eurail/Interrail Pass: also valid for the journey, but again reservations are extra.
Children: under 6 travel free; ages 6–16 pay half fare on the base ticket (reservation still full).
-> Booking your seat early is important — scenic panoramic seats can sell out weeks ahead, especially in summer.
📍 Timetable & Flexibility
The Bernina Express panoramic trains run once or twice daily depending on season and route.
If you need more flexibility (e.g. hop on/off or sit on either side for views), you can also travel the same route on regular regional trains without a reservation (they stop more often and have normal windows). BUT: You get to put the windows down which is a great plus for taking photos and video. I personally went on the regional train and it was a fab experience.
Note that most definitely you're going both ways on the same day, which makes it a very long train journey. So taking the regional train will allow you to leave the train if you want to get out for a sightseeing, say you want to get out at Bernina Pass or Diavolezza or even realize you don't want to go all the way to Tirano.
Find more info about the Bernina Express here
