Bernina Express 2024: train, route and tickets explained 

What is the Bernina Express? 

The Bernina Express is a famous comfortable train with high panoramic windows, running between Chur and Tirano in south-eastern Switzerland.

The 4-hour journey is extremely varied. It includes the Albula rail line with its spiral loops, the famous Landwasser viaduct, the high Bernina Pass with the lake "Lago Bianco", the Palü Glacier, and the Mediterranean-like Poschiavo Valley.

In summer, there's an additional Bernina Express bus ride between Tirano and Lugano, crossing Italy.

Bernina Express prices, tickets, and reservations explained 

Bernina Express price overview 2024 - per person, per single journey, obligatory seat reservations listed separately

This table shows prices per person, for a single ride Chur-Tirano by train plus a single ride Tirano-Lugano by bus (or the other way around).

*) Saver Day Pass prices fluctuate. If you buy it far in advance, it's usually cheaper than normal tickets.

**) A surcharge for the train's seat reservations and extra services must always be paid: for both 2nd and 1st class, and in addition to any ticket or pass. Short and long journeys are explained below.

***) If you want to travel in 1st class, you need a 1st class rail pass or ticket. If you have one, you can ignore these upgrade ticket prices. But you can also use a 2nd class rail pass or ticket. In that case you do have to get an upgrade ticket.

****) These prices are only relevant if you don't have a rail pass that allows free travel on the Bernina Express route, and if you can't find a cheaper Saver Day Pass.

Bernina Express prices without a rail pass

Without a rail pass, a single journey by Bernina Express train and bus costs at least CHF 98 in 2024.

This price is based on a 2nd class Saver Day Pass for the lowest possible fare (CHF 52), train reservations in low season (CHF 32) and bus reservations in low season (CHF 14) .

Bernina Express prices with a Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Travel Pass Flex

The Bernina Express train ride and bus ride themselves are free if you have Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Travel Pass Flex. You only need seat reservations. In 2024, these cost CHF 32 to CHF 36 for the train, and CHF 14 to CHF 16 for the bus (depending on the season).

Bernina Express prices with a Swiss Half Fare Card

With the Swiss Half Fare Card, the lowest possible price for the train and bus ride is CHF 75 in 2024.

This price is based on a 2nd class discounted Saver Day Pass for the lowest possible fare (CHF 29), train reservations in low season (CHF 32) and bus reservations in low season (CHF 14) .

Bernina Express prices with other rail passes

Find a full overview of rail pass discounts here. In all cases, you need to add the obligatory seat reservation prices.

Bernina Express: paying for the ride versus paying for seat reservations

You need to pay for two things:

• the ride. You can do this with a rail pass. If you don't have a pass that allows free traveling, you need normal point-to-point tickets or a Saver Day Pass. You can get your ticket at any moment until right before boarding.
• seat reservations. These have to be paid on top of whichever pass or ticket you're using. You'd best book reservations well in advance.

Bernina Express seat reservation must-knows

Important details about seat reservations:

• The train and bus require separate reservations.
• Reservations have to be paid per traveler and per single journey.
• Reservations include a supplement for the extra services of the Bernina Express.
• You have to make reservations in advance. Reservations are usually available for travel dates up to mid-December, as that's when the Swiss timetables are updated. Reservations for the next year become available around mid-October.
• Reservation prices for the bus Tirano-Lugano and for a long train journey vary by season. May to October is high season, the other months are low season. Any journey between Chur (or another station within the stretch Chur-St. Moritz) and Tirano is considered a long train route.
• Reservation prices for a short route St. Moritz-Tirano are the same year-round. Any stretch between St. Moritz (or another station within the stretch St. Moritz-Tirano) and Tirano is considered a short train route.
• Reservation prices are the same for 2nd and 1st class.
• The bus has 2nd class seats only.

Bernina Express tours and packages

There are many tours and train packages that include the Bernina Express. If you book one of those, it usually includes everything: both the price for the ride and reservations. Always check the conditions though.

Get your train tickets, reservations and tours 

Bernina Express discounts with your rail pass 

The rail passes below allow you to buy discounted tickets or even travel for free in the Bernina Express. That doesn't include seat reservations.

The Bernina Express route in detail, plus map 

The Bernina Express route summarized

The Bernina Express is a direct train between Chur and Tirano in Italy. It crosses the beautiful canton of Graubünden from north to south, or the other way around. Chur to Tirano is the classic route, but there's also a train from St. Moritz. All trains cross the Bernina Pass, and they end or begin in Tirano.

The journey from Chur takes about 4 hours. The route from St. Moritz takes about 2,5 hours, and does not include the north of Graubünden.

The Bernina Express route is an impressive piece of railway engineering: the train reaches an altitude of 2253 m, even higher than the Glacier Express, and without the help of cogwheel track. It requires lots of spiral loops, 55 tunnels and 196 bridges to accomplish this.

The landscape varies greatly, from high-alpine scenery on the Bernina Pass to Mediterranean scenery in the Poschiavo valley and Tirano.

There is a connecting Bernina Express bus from Tirano to Lugano, which adds another 3 hours to the journey.

Section 1: Chur to Pontresina

The first section overlaps with section 4 of the Glacier Express route. The Bernina Express departs from Chur and first heads for Reichenau. There it bends to the south, towards Thusis and Tiefencastel. This Domleschg valley is known for its many castles.

The train continues south through a mostly narrow valley, crossing the spectacular curved Landwasser viaduct just before it reaches Filisur. After Filisur, several spiral loops help it gain height until it reaches the entrance of the Albula tunnel, at 1789 m. This section of the route is very interesting to explore on foot as well.

The Albula tunnel leads to the high Upper Engadine valley, where Pontresina is one of the prominent towns. This valley is at such a high altitude that its climate is considerably different from climates in other Swiss valleys. You will not see many deciduous trees here. It's a fantastic winter sports region.

Section 2: Pontresina to Tirano

About 10 minutes after Pontresina, the Morteratsch glacier and the highest peaks of the canton of Graubünden will be reached. This is where the ascent up the Bernina Pass begins. The tree line will soon be crossed, and you can admire a rugged high-alpine landscape.

The Lago Bianco (White Lake) comes into sight, and soon after the Bernina Express reaches the small station of Ospizio Bernina. This marks the highest point of the route, at 2253 m over sea level. This is a great area to do some hiking.

The train now begins its huge descent of 1824 m, all the way to Tirano at 429 m. It passes the station of Alp Grüm, where you can get out for a photo stop. That's worth it, as Alp Grüm offers a magnificent view of the Palü glacier. The train runs through countless curves to gradually descend into the Poschiavo Valley.

Once the valley floor has been reached, you'll notice that the villages, such as Poschiavo, look more Italian than Swiss. This is still Switzerland, but people speak Italian here. The Bernina Express passes the Lago di Poschiavo (Lake of Poschiavo) and descends a bit more at the famous Brusio spiral viaduct.

In some towns the train rides on the street, blocking it completely, simply because there's not enough space for a road plus a railroad. About 15 minutes later, the train will cross the Italian border and arrive in Tirano.

Section 3: Tirano to Lugano

If you would like to see more of the southern scenery, the scenic Bernina Express bus ride to Lugano (Switzerland) is recommended. Most of the route is on Italian soil. The bus takes you through the valley "Valtellina", and along Lake Como and Lake Lugano.

Map of the Bernina Express train route (Chur-Tirano) and bus route (Tirano-Lugano)

Operation dates, schedules and timetable 

Bernina Express operation dates 2024

The trains operate all year round. The schedules differ per season.

The bus operates:

• from 15 February to 24 March 2024: on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
• from 28 March to 27 October 2024: daily
• from 31 October to 24 November 2024: on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

Planning your Bernina Express journey with the timetable

You can use the specific Bernina Express timetable here.

The trains and bus can also be found in the general Swiss timetable. This is how to identify the trains:

• Enter your "From" and "To" stations along the Bernina Express route. Enter your travel date, or a date close to it.
• You'll see a list of connections. The ones labeled "PE" (Panoramic Express) are Bernina Express trains. Options labeled "IR" are normal regional trains.
• If you click on a "PE" connection, you'll see details, including the name 'BERNINA EXPRESS'.

This is how to find the Bernina Express bus:

• Enter "From: Tirano", "To: Lugano", or the other way around. 
• Enter a travel date at which the bus operates: see above.
• You'll see a list of connections. The direct bus route labeled "BP" is the Bernina Express bus. Click on this connection for details.
• If can't find the bus, you may need to select another departure time. Also check if you're searching for the period in which the bus operates.

Best season for the Bernina Express 

The best seasons are early January to late February, late April to late June and mid September to early November. You'll see a wonderful variation in scenery: from snow on the mountains to blossoming or coloring nature.

But, any season can be great if the sky is clear enough to enjoy the views:

• Spring (May to June) is our favorite, because of the perfect combination of green valleys and snowy mountains.
• In summer (July to September), it's the flowers and the Mediterranean atmosphere in the Poschiavo valley that make this journey attractive.
• During fall (October to November) you'll see autumn colours in the deciduous trees of the Albula valley and the conifers of the Engadine. There can be snow on the mountains too.
• Winter (from mid-December to March) is beautiful as the landscape can be covered by a thick layer of snow.

Note these details for summer and winter:

• Open-air cars without windows operate during good weather in July and August between St. Moritz and Poschiavo, and sometimes on other routes in the area too. They're ideal for photography. Dress warmly!
• The winter timetable of the Bernina Express train is limited: there are fewer trains each day. The Bernina Express bus from Tirano to Lugano does not operate in winter. The regular regional trains operate normally.

Weather 

The Bernina Express operates in all kinds of weather. Only in extreme conditions the service may be suspended. Check the forecast for your travel date below.

Other websites of interest

• www.rhb.ch: the Bernina Express
• www.rhb.ch: open-air carriages on the Bernina line

Schedules

• www.rhb.ch: timetable Bernina Express train and bus

Prices

• www.rhb.ch: Bernina Express ticket and reservation prices

Scenic trains that connect to the Bernina Express 

Blog posts about the Bernina Express 

Activities similar to the Bernina Express 

About the regions and towns along the route