The Bernina Express is one of Switzerland’s most spectacular scenic trains and one of the few in the world to cross the high Alps without a tunnel. It links glacier views, alpine lakes, spiral viaducts and palm-lined Italian towns in a single journey.
It is not just a train ride — it is a full Alpine crossing and one of Switzerland’s greatest travel experiences.
This complete 2025 guide explains routes, seasons, tickets, best seats, photography tips, budgeting strategies, and sample itineraries so you can plan your journey with confidence.
Disclosure: Some links in this guide are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Table of Contents
Route options (2025)
- Chur → Tirano (classic full route)
- St. Moritz → Tirano (shorter, equally scenic)
- Tirano → Chur/St. Moritz (reverse direction)
Duration
- Chur → Tirano: ~4 hours 15 min
- St. Moritz → Tirano: ~2 hours 20 min
What makes it special
- Crosses the Bernina Pass at 2,253 m, one of the highest rail crossings in Europe.
- Operates entirely by adhesion (no cogwheel sections)
- Links glacier landscapes directly to Mediterranean scenery
- One of the few scenic trains that offers iconic views from BOTH sides
- A UNESCO World Heritage railway
UNESCO-Heritage line: why it matters
The Albula–Bernina railway is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for its outstanding engineering and harmonious integration into extreme mountain terrain.
UNESCO highlights:
- 52 bridges and 13 tunnels
- Curved stone viaducts built directly into cliffs
- Masterful early-20th-century design allowing huge altitude changes with minimal impact.
- The railway blends seamlessly into valleys, spiral loops, glacier faces and alpine forests.
Travelling the Bernina Express means riding not just a scenic route — but a piece of living cultural heritage.
Scenic Highlights Along the Route
Landwasser Viaduct & Albula Valley (if starting from Chur)
If you board in Chur, the journey begins with the legendary Landwasser Viaduct:
- A 65-metre-high curved viaduct
- The train enters a rock tunnel directly from the bridge
- Deep forests, stone villages, and spiral mountain tunnels
- One of the world’s most photographed rail moments
Photo tip: Scenic highlights along the Bernina route appear very quickly, so keep your camera ready at all times. I personally missed one of the best shots simply because I wasn’t fast enough to react. On the Bernina Express, the onboard announcements usually warn you shortly before key landmarks, giving you a brief but precious moment to prepare.
Albula Tunnel & Mountain Passes
On the classic route, the line passes the Albula Tunnel, historically one of the Swiss Alps’ most difficult rail projects. The train then begins its climb toward the high alpine plateau.
Glacier Views: Morteratsch, Bernina – Mountain Magic
Approaching the Bernina Pass, the train passes:
- Morteratsch Glacier
- Bernina Range peaks
- Steep glacial moraines
- Lago Bianco (milky turquoise)
- Lej Nair (deep dark alpine lake)
This is definitely the highest, coldest, and most photogenic section of the entire route.
Alp Grüm, Poschiavo valley & the Brusio viaduct
Descending toward Italy, scenery becomes lush and green:
- Vineyards, orchards, southern Swiss villages
- Palm trees as you enter Tirano
- The Brusio Spiral Viaduct, where the train makes a full loop in the open air — a must-see engineering masterpiece and iconic photo spot.
This dramatic shift from glaciers to Mediterranean vegetation is what makes the Bernina Express truly unique.
Best seats, light and seasonal advice (2025)
Best sides for the views
- Chur → Tirano direction:
- Right side for Landwasser Viaduct and Albula Valley
- Left side for Bernina Pass lakes
- Tirano → Chur direction: reverse sides apply
Best light conditions
- Morning departures (from Chur): soft alpine light
- Afternoon departures (from Tirano): dramatic shadows and saturated lake colors
- Midday in summer: strongest reflection risk
Crowds
- High season: June–September, Christmas–New Year
- For fewer crowds: April–May and October–mid-November
How to buy a Bernina Express ticket ?
Do you need a ticket AND a reservation?
Yes, to board the Bernina Express you need :
- A valid train ticket or Pass
- A mandatory seat reservation (paid separately)
Price ticket (2025) – Point-to-point ticket
If you buy a standard point-to-point ticket, prices vary depending on:
- Travel distance (St. Moritz–Tirano vs Chur–Tirano)
- Class (2nd or 1st)
- Season
| Route / Type | 2nd Class ticket* | 1st Class ticket* | Seat reservation (panoramic carriage) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chur → Tirano (full route) | CHF 66 | CHF 113 | CHF 32–36 (depending on season) |
| St. Moritz → Tirano (short route) | CHF 33 | CHF 57 | CHF 28 |
* These are the base fares for the train ticket only — seat reservation is always mandatory for the panoramic Bernina Express and have to be added on top of the train ticket price.
For example, for the short route, it will cost CHF 61 to embark on the Bernina express from St. Moritz to Tirano (CHF 33 for the 2nd Class Ticket and CHF 28 for the seat reservation).
You can also check the official website to have more information.
When having a pass
If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, Interrail /Eurail Pass, GA, SBB Saver Day Pass, your train ticket is covered and you only pay the reservation fee.
A seat reservation costs pproximately CHF 10–24, depending on season and segment.
Travelling on a budget
If you are traveling on a budget, regional trains offer an excellent alternative to the Bernina Express. They run on the exact same scenic route, cost less, and do not require seat reservations.
Even better for many travelers, the windows on regional trains can be opened, making them ideal for photography.
You may need to change trains once or twice and seating is not guaranteed during peak times but the scenery is identical and the experience feels more local and flexible.
For budget travelers, backpackers, and photographers, regional trains are often the smarter choice.
Summer vs winter vs shoulder season — What to expect
Summer (June–September)
- Bright turquoise lakes
- Clear glacier views
- More crowds, higher reservation demand
- Longer daylight hours
Winter (December–March)
- Frozen lakes
- Snow-covered passes
- Beautiful contrasts (white snow vs blue sky)
- Shorter daylight window — choose departures carefully
Shoulder season (April–May, October–mid-November)
- Best value & fewer people
- Mixed weather can create dramatic atmosphere
- Light snow on peaks, vivid colours in forests
- Some mountain connections may run reduced schedules
FAQ (2025 Edition)
Can I open the windows on the Bernina Express?
No unfortunately panoramic windows stay closed. You can use regional trains for openable windows.
Is luggage space available?
You can store luggages in overhead racks and you also have space at carriage ends.
What camera gear is ideal?
These are some camera gear that will help you to take the best shot on the Bernina Express :
Polarizing filter (reduces reflections)
Wide-angle lens (for sweeping views)
Cloth for wiping condensation
Smartphone works fine — sit aisle-side to avoid reflections
Can I bring my own food ?
Yes. There’s a small snack service, but most passengers bring food.
Tirano offers fantastic cafés for pre- or post-train meals.
Are pets allowed?
Small dogs measuring less than 30 cm in height do not require a ticket and have to be carried in a transport box or a basket. For larger dogs, you will need to purchase a valid dog ticket.
Is the Bernina Express worth it if it rains?
The Bernina Express can be worth it as clouds and mist create dramatic views.
A rainy weather can be a very good day for taking a scenic train in Switzerland.
Is Wi-Fi available on the Bernina Express?
Wifi is available onboard but due to the remote mountain terrain, tunnels, and high-altitude sections, the connection is often slow, unstable, or unavailable for long stretches.
Final Verdict — who should ride the Bernina Express?
The Bernina Express is perfect if you want:
- A once-in-a-lifetime high-alpine railway adventure
- UNESCO-protected engineering and landscapes
- A route that truly feels like two countries, one journey
- Lakes, glaciers, viaducts and Italian sunshine — all in a few hours
Travellers who prefer flexibility, lower cost, or openable windows may enjoy the regional-train version equally — if not more.
Either way, the Bernina Pass remains one of my greatest scenic train experiences and I would highly recommend it.
