The Bernina Express is one of the top scenic rail journeys in Switzerland. It travels from Chur or St Moritz to Tirano, Italy.

Along the way, you'll see many beautiful mountains and picturesque villages, cross the famous arched Landwasser Viadukt, and pass through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges.

Start: Chur or St Moritz

End: Tirano, Italy

Cost: train ticket (or Swiss Travel Pass) + required seat reservation

Book seat reservations: www.gpx.swiss

⏱️Timetable

The Bernina Express departs 2x a day Chur - Tirino in each direction. Travel time 4h32.

The Bernina Express departs 2-3x a day St Moritz - Tirano in each direction. Travel time 2h15.

ℹ️ See current schedule

Seat Reservations

For the Bernina Express, you need a train ticket and a required seat reservation. Since seat reservations book out fast, it's best to get the seat reservation first and get the train ticket or travel pass later.

Book seats via www.gpx.swiss. Choose the "seat reservation only" option during booking.

You need to book a seat for every person that needs a seat, including children. You don't have to book a seat for babies and toddlers if they will sit in your lap. But you may be more comfortable if you book a seat for them.

In 2025, a one-way seat reservation costs CHF 28-36, depending on the route and season.

Tickets

Travel Passes: The ticket is free with the Swiss Travel Pass, Eurrail, Interrail, and GA. In this case, you only need to book the seat reservation via www.gpx.swiss.

Tickets: If you don't have a travel pass, you can book individual tickets for the desired journey via SBB.ch. If you book far in advance, usually you can get a discounted Saver Day Pass that is cheaper than a regular one-way ticket. 

Class of Service

The Bernina Express has 1st and 2nd class train carriages, all of which have big panorama windows and comfortable seats.

First class has slightly wider seats and a bit more leg room (black seats in my pics). One side of the train has only two seats facing each other, while the other has groups of four seats facing each other.

Second class has groups of four seats on both sides.

However, last time I checked 1st class seats were sold out for months. I think tour companies must have first access to the 1st class tickets and the general public can't buy them directly. So if you want first class, you may need to book via Switzerland Travel Centre or similar tour booker.

Food on the train

The Bernina Express does not have a dining car. But they do have a food cart that passes through the cabin. You can buy snacks and beverages, including coffee, tea, soda, wine and beer. You don't have to order in advance.

You can bring your own food and I recommend you do.

Connections

From Tirano, you can continue to:

• Lugano via Bernina Express bus - 3h20

• Milano Centrale via train - 2h30

From Chur, you can continue to:

• Zermatt via Glacier Express train - 6h02

• Zürich via train - 1h15

Alternatives

If you can't book a seat on the Bernina Express, don't worry. There are regular trains that travel the same routes almost every hour of the day, which do not require reservations. The downside is that you have to change trains, a couple times.

But on the plus side, the train between Chur and St Moritz has a special standing room only "observation" car, where the windows roll down for better pics and videos.

Other notes

The Bernina Express can accommodate wheelchairs, but you must contact them in advance to arrange this. railservice@rhb.ch 

Dogs are allowed on the Bernina Express, no reservation needed. But large dogs need a ticket.

No bike transport.