Bernina Express: The Complete Guide to the Alpine Train

Is the Bernina Express worth it?

For most first-time visitors to the Swiss Alps, yes, especially if the train ride is the main event of the day. The scenery changes fast: wooded valleys and stone bridges first, then a bare mountain pass and glacier views, then the southern valleys of Graubünden before you reach Italy. You are sightseeing from a moving train, and the railway itself is part of what you came to see.

You can skip the panoramic reservation if you are watching costs, want to stop at villages along the way, or prefer smaller windows that are easier to photograph through. Ordinary regional trains on the Bernina line still cross the Alps past the same landscapes. Our Is the Bernina Express worth it? page weighs the price against what you get.

Which route should you choose?

With one full day and a start in Chur, ride to Tirano for the most varied journey; the Chur to Tirano page covers those trains. Based in Milan, take the Tirano–St. Moritz section, explained on the St. Moritz to Tirano page. If you can split the trip over two days, ride one direction and stay overnight so you are not racing the timetable.

The best Bernina Express scenery, in order of appearance

Landwasser Viaduct (Chur route only). Near Filisur, a curved stone viaduct carries the line straight into a tunnel in the rock face. It is the classic picture of Swiss rail travel, and you do not see it if you board in St. Moritz.

Albula spirals and mountain valleys. Around Bergün the line gains height through loops, bridges and helical tunnels, so you see the same valley from several levels.

Bernina Pass and Lago Bianco. The train reaches Ospizio Bernina at 2,253 m, the highest point of the RhB network. Lago Bianco, bare rock and snowy ridges make this the most memorable stretch for many riders.

Alp Grüm and the Palü glacier. The view opens toward the glacier before the train curls down into the Val Poschiavo.

Poschiavo and the southern valley. Colorful buildings, a lake and a milder landscape follow the high pass.

Brusio spiral viaduct. A circular stone viaduct lets the train lose height without a rack. From inside you feel the curve; the aerial photos of the whole loop are taken from outside.

Tirano. The Italian terminus is a proper town, not just a station. Leave time for a meal or a walk if your connection allows; see things to do in Tirano.

The route map lists every stop with its altitude.

Bernina Express or regional train: which is better?

Many booking sites leave this question out, and it decides most of your cost.

The Bernina Express mainly buys you the panoramic coach and a guaranteed reserved seat. Regional trains run on the same railway. RhB offers optional seat reservations on regional trains between St. Moritz and Tirano for CHF 5 per person, subject to availability, and you still need the fare ticket. The Bernina Express vs regional train guide compares the two in detail.

How much does the Bernina Express cost?

You pay two parts: a valid travel ticket, and a mandatory panoramic seat reservation. A rail pass can cover the ticket but not the reservation.

The lower ticket figures are the winter 2026 tariff and the higher ones the reported 2027 fares, since Swiss fares usually change in mid-December. Check the price for your departure date in the RhB shop. The full breakdown, with returns and passes, is in Bernina Express ticket prices, and the tickets page explains where to buy.

Children under 6 travel free, and children aged 6 to 15 pay half the ticket price. The panoramic reservation is charged in full at every age, so check the total for your family.

How to book without a costly mistake

1. Choose your direction and exact date first.
2. Decide between the panoramic Bernina Express and regional trains.
3. Check that your ticket or rail pass is valid for the whole journey.
4. On the Bernina Express, reserve the seat and confirm the supplement is included in what you buy; see how the seat reservation works.
5. Check the end-to-end trip: the Milan–Tirano train, border documents, any bus leg and the return.
6. Leave a buffer at stations, especially on a same-day round trip.

Reserve as soon as your date is firm, because popular trains sell out. Online reservations usually cannot be changed or cancelled except under RhB’s conditions. Pass holders can read the Swiss Travel Pass guide, and anyone weighing an upgrade can see first vs second class.

When to go: summer, autumn or winter?

Summer (June to September). Long days, and you can combine the train with walks and mountain trips. Popular panoramic departures fill early, so book ahead.

Autumn (September to October). Late-season color and often fewer visitors than in July and August, though weather and daylight change quickly.

Winter (December to March). Snow makes the pass spectacular, and Tirano can feel mild after the summit. An afternoon departure may cross the highlights in fading light, so check sunset for your date. The Bernina Express in winter guide covers snow, clothing and the daylight trains.

Spring (April to May). Snow often stays at altitude while the valleys turn green. Some mountain walks and attractions are still closed by snow.

The railway runs all year, but individual panoramic departures and connecting buses are seasonal. In winter 2026/27 (26 October 2026 to 23 April 2027) there are two Bernina Express trains each way daily, and five each way in summer 2027. Train numbers and times are in the Bernina Express timetable.

Can you take the Bernina Express from Milan?

Not directly. The panoramic train runs between Chur or St. Moritz and Tirano. From Milan you take a Trenord regional train to Tirano, about 2 h 30 min, or join a guided day trip that combines a coach transfer with a train ride.

On an independent day trip, treat the Milan–Tirano train and the Bernina train as two separate legs, and plan the return as carefully as the outward trip. Day tours suit visitors who do not want to juggle tickets, but check which part of the day is actually on the train and whether it is the reserved panoramic Bernina Express or a regional train.

If you want the panoramic coach from Milan, the $186 From Milan: St. Moritz and Bernina Express Tour puts you in it from St. Moritz to Tirano on its panoramic option, rated 4.6 from more than 4,000 reviews (our breakdown). For less, the $144 Milan Bernina red train and St. Moritz day trip rides the regional red train over the same pass, rated 4.8 from more than 5,000 reviews. The Bernina Express from Milan page and the tour comparison line up the rest.

Before you book a Milan tour, check the departure point, coach or train to Tirano, which section the train rides and in which direction, panoramic or regional coach, whether tickets and reservations are included, time in St. Moritz or Tirano, total length and the cancellation terms.

Is a day trip enough?

A short Bernina crossing fits in a long day, particularly if you start in St. Moritz or Tirano. From Milan you add the transfer each way, and a full Chur–Tirano crossing plus a return makes a tiring day. If you want photo stops, lunch, villages or a mountain excursion, stay a night along the line; the where to stay page covers Tirano, St. Moritz and Chur.

Sample ways to ride it

A first-timer’s day. Start in St. Moritz, ride south to Tirano, have lunch, then continue on or ride back by regional train. Confirm the return connection before you commit.

The rail enthusiast’s route. Start in Chur, ride the Albula and Bernina lines to Tirano, and stay overnight or travel on the next day, so you are not squeezing both directions into one day.

From Milan. Reach Tirano early, ride the Bernina line to St. Moritz, spend the time the return timetable allows, and come back on a route you checked in advance. A regional option is the $123 Tirano to St. Moritz red train return day ticket, rated 4.5 from more than 1,100 reviews, which lets you get off at stations along the way. Or let a guided Milan tour handle the transfers.

Practical tips that matter

Seats and photography

You cannot book a side of the train: RhB does not know in advance which way a coach will face. With two people, ask for seats opposite each other so you can both look out. The big panoramic windows reflect light inside the coach, so dark clothing and holding the lens close to the glass help. Do not stand in the aisle or block the doors for photos. Our best side to sit guide explains what you can still influence.

Food and drinks

The catering team serves snacks and drinks at your seat, and there is no dining car. Bring water, and plan a meal in Tirano or your starting town. Carry your own snacks for children or special diets.

Luggage

There are luggage racks, but space is limited. RhB runs a baggage delivery service for large cases. On a same-day round trip, think about where your bags stay during the stopover.

Accessibility

Some Bernina Express seats take wheelchairs, and you can book them only through RhB Railservice (railservice@rhb.ch, +41 81 288 65 65). Boarding help must be booked in advance through the SBB Call Center Handicap (0800 007 102). Check each station and connection on your route.

Families and pets

Children are welcome; on a long ride, snacks and a break in the day help. Small dogs travel free in a transport box, and larger dogs need a dog ticket. Bring the pet’s documents, such as an EU pet passport, for the border.

Bikes

Self-service bicycle transport is not allowed on the Bernina Express. Regional trains on the same route take bicycles under their own rules and capacity, and the Bernina Express Bus to Lugano does not take bicycles.

Crossing into Italy

Carry a valid passport or national identity card. Entry rules depend on your nationality, and a Swiss rail ticket or travel pass is not a border document. Non-EU travelers should check the Schengen and Italian rules before traveling.

Weather and disruptions

Mountain weather changes fast. On your travel date, check the timetable, RhB service notices and daylight hours. Engineering works sometimes reroute Bernina Express trains away from the Albula line for a few weeks, which removes the Landwasser Viaduct from the ride.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Bernina Express a tourist train or ordinary public transport?

It is a branded panoramic service on a working public railway. Ordinary regional trains use the same Bernina line, so you have a second way to see the landscapes.

Does the Bernina Express go over the Landwasser Viaduct?

The usual Chur–Tirano journey crosses the Albula line and the Landwasser Viaduct. The shorter St. Moritz–Tirano route does not, and engineering diversions can also take it off the Chur route.

How long is the Bernina Express ride?

Plan on about 4 hours from Chur to Tirano and about 2 h 15 min from St. Moritz to Tirano. Exact times depend on the train and the season.

Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover the Bernina Express?

It covers the rail fare on the route. The panoramic seat reservation is extra, about CHF 32 from St. Moritz and CHF 40 to 44 from Chur.

Can I ride the Bernina line without a seat reservation?

Yes, on ordinary regional trains with a valid ticket, subject to space. The panoramic Bernina Express needs a reservation, and RhB offers optional CHF 5 reservations on selected regional trains between St. Moritz and Tirano.

Is first class worth the extra money?

Choose first class if more space and comfort matter to you. It does not show you different scenery: second class passes the same mountains, lakes and viaducts. Compare the first-class total for your date.

Which side of the Bernina Express has the best views?

Both sides have strong views, and RhB cannot tell you in advance which way your coach will face. Pick a daylight departure first instead of paying for a guaranteed “best side” that does not exist.

Can you get off and back on during the journey?

Not on a reserved panoramic seat, which is for one train. For stops along the way, use regional trains and a ticket valid for the whole route.

Is the train good in winter?

Yes. The high pass is especially dramatic in snow. Check daylight, the winter timetable and the weather, and pack warm layers for any stop outside.

Can I do the Bernina Express in one day from Milan?

Yes, but it is a long day with the trip to Tirano and a return connection to get right. A guided tour takes care of the transfers; traveling on your own gives you more freedom if the timetable works.

How early should I book?

Reserve panoramic seats as soon as your date is firm, especially for weekends and summer. If your train sells out, regional trains on the same line remain an option.

Is the Bernina Express the same as the Glacier Express?

No. They are two separate scenic trains on different routes, sharing the Albula line between Chur and St. Moritz. See Bernina Express vs Glacier Express if you are choosing between them.

Who should book what

Book the full Chur–Tirano Bernina Express if this is a once-in-a-lifetime rail trip, you want both the Albula and Bernina lines, and you value the panoramic coach.

Book the St. Moritz–Tirano Bernina Express if you want the high-Alpine scenery in a little over two hours.

Take a regional train if you are keeping costs down, want to stop at Alp Grüm or Poschiavo, or like to plan as you go.

Book a Milan day tour if you have little time in Italy and want someone else to handle transfers, train tickets and the return, after checking exactly what the tour includes.

Pick the ticket that fits your starting city, the hours you have and how much convenience you want to pay for, and check your exact date in the RhB timetable before you book.