What is special about the Bernina Express?

The Bernina Express travels along one of the world's most remarkable mountain railways, crossing spectacular viaducts, passing glaciers and climbing to 2,253 metres above sea level. Its route forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its extraordinary engineering and beautiful Alpine setting.

Is the Bernina Express the same as the Glacier Express?

No. Although both are celebrated Swiss scenic trains, they follow different routes. The Bernina Express travels from Chur or St Moritz across the Bernina Pass to Tirano in Italy, while the Glacier Express connects St Moritz and Zermatt through the Swiss Alps. The two journeys can be combined within a longer holiday.

Is food served on the Bernina Express?

The Bernina Express does not have a restaurant car, but snacks and drinks are available from an onboard minibar service. Passengers can also bring their own refreshments. If you're continuing into Italy, Tirano has cafés and restaurants where we highly recommend stopping for a meal, depending on your onward connections.

Which side of the Bernina Express has the best views?

Both sides offer wonderful views, and the most impressive scenery changes sides throughout the journey. The panoramic windows provide excellent visibility, so there is no single side that is best for the entire route. We recommend simply enjoying the changing landscapes as you travel.

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Bernina Express Holidays

Travel from the heart of the Swiss Alps into Italy aboard the Bernina Express, one of Europe's most famous scenic trains. Cross high viaducts, climb towards snow-capped mountain peaks and pass shimmering Alpine lakes before descending into Italy. With panoramic windows providing extraordinary views throughout the journey, the Bernina Express offers an unforgettable way to experience Switzerland's mountain landscapes as part of a longer European rail holiday.

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About

Operated by the Rhaetian Railway (RhB), the Bernina Express travels along two of Switzerland's most remarkable railway lines, the Albula and Bernina routes. Together, they form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised for its exceptional engineering and harmonious integration into the Alpine landscape.

The journey from Chur to Tirano crosses 196 bridges and passes through 55 tunnels, climbing from deep valleys into high mountain scenery before descending towards the Italian border. Along the way, passengers experience an extraordinary variety of landscapes, from dramatic gorges and glaciers to turquoise lakes, forests and Mediterranean vegetation.

Unlike many Alpine railways, the Bernina Line crosses the mountains without a summit tunnel, allowing passengers to enjoy the spectacular scenery at high altitude.

Highlights

Landwasser Viaduct: Cross the famous curved stone viaduct, which leads directly into a tunnel carved into the mountainside.
Bernina Pass: Climb to 2,253 metres above sea level at Ospizio Bernina, the highest point on the route.
Alpine lakes and glaciers: Admire the striking waters of Lago Bianco and views towards the surrounding glaciers and mountain peaks.
Alp Grüm: Enjoy extraordinary views across the Palü Glacier and down towards the Poschiavo Valley.
Brusio Spiral Viaduct: Experience an ingenious circular stone viaduct that allows the railway to lose height as it approaches Tirano.

Why choose

Few railway journeys offer such dramatic changes in landscape over a relatively short distance. The Bernina Express takes passengers from the historic towns and valleys of Graubünden through some of Switzerland's highest railway scenery, before descending into the warmer landscapes of northern Italy.

Its panoramic carriages are designed to make the most of the views, while the remarkable railway engineering is an attraction in itself.

The journey also fits beautifully into a longer holiday. You might combine the Bernina Express with time in Chur or St Moritz, continue into Italy towards Lake Como, or incorporate it into a wider exploration of Switzerland's celebrated scenic railways.

When to travel

The Bernina Express offers memorable scenery throughout the year, with each season bringing a different character to the journey.

Spring brings the contrast of snow-covered mountain peaks and greener valleys, while summer offers long daylight hours and views across Alpine meadows and lakes. Autumn introduces golden forests and changing colours, particularly in the lower valleys.

Winter transforms the high mountain landscapes into a world of snow and ice, creating a particularly atmospheric journey.

Panoramic services operate throughout the year, although the number of departures and available routes vary seasonally.

History

The Albula Railway opened in 1903, followed by the Bernina Railway in 1910. Both were mind-blowing engineering achievements at the time, designed to negotiate the challenging terrain of the Swiss Alps using tunnels, bridges, spirals and carefully planned gradients.

The Bernina Express panoramic service was introduced in 1973, bringing together sections of these historic routes into a celebrated scenic journey.

In 2008, the Albula and Bernina lines were awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, recognising their outstanding engineering and their relationship with the surrounding mountain landscapes.

Where Bernina Express travels to and from

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Bernina Express

Bernina Bus

What it’s like onboard Bernina Express

The Bernina Express is designed around the scenery, with large panoramic windows extending towards the roof to provide sweeping views of the surrounding mountains, valleys and viaducts.

Comfortable reserved seating allows passengers to relax and enjoy the changing landscapes, while an onboard information service provides commentary about the railway and its principal landmarks.

Unlike the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express does not have a full restaurant service. Instead, snacks and drinks are available from an onboard minibar service, and passengers are welcome to bring their own refreshments.

The journey is particularly enjoyable for photography enthusiasts, although reflections in the panoramic windows can sometimes make photographs challenging. The changing scenery is the real attraction, with something new to admire around almost every bend.

Classes and cabins on Bernina Express

Standard Class

Second Class provides a comfortable way to experience the Bernina Express, with panoramic windows and reserved seating.

Comfortable seating in a 2+2 configuration

Large panoramic windows

Access to onboard refreshments

Route information and commentary

Reserved seating

First Class

First Class offers additional space and a quieter environment, making it particularly appealing for passengers who prefer extra comfort.

More spacious seating in a 2+1 configuration

Large panoramic windows

Additional legroom and personal space

Pullman Class

Introduced in 2026, Pullman Class offers a more exclusive experience aboard a specially restored, 1930s-style carriage available from St Moritz to Tirano during the summer months

Travel in an exclusive Pullman carriage between St Moritz and Tirano

Personal concierge service

On-board canapés on the outbound journey and petits fours on the return.

Transfer to La Gatta vineyard, 3-course lunch with wine pairing and a guided tour of the wine cellar.

Onboard guide to the journey

Access to the open scenic carriage from Tirano to St Moritz

A personal souvenir

Planning your journey

The Bernina Express operates between Chur or St Moritz in Switzerland and Tirano in northern Italy, travelling through the spectacular landscapes of Graubünden and across the Bernina Pass.

Services operate throughout the year, although timetables vary between summer and winter. The full journey from Chur to Tirano takes approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes, while the shorter journey from St Moritz takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Advance seat reservations are compulsory aboard the panoramic Bernina Express trains, with a supplement payable in addition to the rail ticket or pass. We arrange the appropriate tickets and reservations as part of your tailor-made holiday.

The train travels on narrow-gauge tracks, and its route includes steep gradients, tight curves and remarkable viaducts. Despite the challenging terrain, the journey is comfortable and unhurried, with plenty of opportunities to admire the scenery.

Luggage space onboard is limited, so travelling with manageable suitcases is recommended. Larger items must be stored in the designated areas without obstructing aisles or exits.

At Tirano, the railway connects with regional services towards Lake Como and Milan. The seasonal Bernina Express Bus also links Tirano with Lugano, providing another way to combine the scenic railway with destinations in southern Switzerland.

For travellers arriving from the UK, the Bernina Express can be incorporated into a longer journey through France and Switzerland, with overnight stops in destinations such as Basel, Zurich or Chur. It also combines particularly well with holidays exploring the Swiss Alps and northern Italy.

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Why book with Tailor Made Rail?

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Questions about Bernina Express

Frequently asked questions about the Bernina Express

The Bernina Express Bus is a scenic coach service connecting Tirano in northern Italy with Lugano in southern Switzerland. The journey takes approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes, travelling through the beautiful landscapes of the Italian Lakes region, including views of Lake Como. It provides an attractive extension to the Bernina Express train journey, allowing travellers to combine the Swiss Alps with Lake Lugano. The bus operates seasonally, with daily departures during the main summer season and a more limited timetable at other times. Advance seat reservations are required.

Pullman Class is an exclusive travel experience introduced in 2026, featuring an elegant, 1930s-style carriage with Art Deco interiors, comfortable armchairs and personalised service. The experience includes refreshments onboard and a three-course lunch with wine at the La Gatta vineyard in the Valtellina region. With just 32 seats, Pullman Class operates on selected dates rather than every day, and is available as either a one-way journey or a return excursion between St Moritz and Tirano. Advance booking is essential, and we can advise on availability when planning your holiday.

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