Bernina Express or other trains Chur-Tirano in Jan
A traveler named Sally is planning a winter trip to Switzerland in December and January, intending to ride the Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano after a disappointing summer experience. She's looking for confirmation on the train schedule, differences between the Bernina Express and local trains, and advice on whether to spend a night in Pontresina or St. Moritz before continuing to Milan.
- The Bernina Express runs year-round, but only once daily in winter, leaving Chur around 8:20 AM and arriving in Tirano around 12:30 PM.
- Travel on regular trains along the same scenic route is a good alternative to the Bernina Express, providing a more local feel and often less crowded.
- Consider breaking your journey with an overnight stay in either Pontresina or St. Moritz for a more relaxed trip before heading to Bologna.
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Hi Team
I was last here on this forum in 2018, when you helped us plan a fabulous trip to Switzerland (in August/September)! This time we are coming for winter (Dec/Jan) and being disappointed with our summer trip on the Bernina Express (Tirano to Chur) we would like to do it again in winter – Chur to Tirano.
Firstly – does in run in January? I read that only Train 951 runs all year round from Chur to Tirano. Is that the PE or is that just a local train? Secondly does it really matter if its not the PE? It’s going on the same railway tracks?
We will be coming from Zurich and did think about getting as far as either Pontresina or St Moritz on the first day, and doing an overnight (or a couple of nights)? Good idea or better to stay in Chur (we loved Chur and a day trip to Arosa)? One of the reasons for the stop is that once we get to Tirano we hope to get to Bologna and the train goes via Milan and adds a lot of time to the journey. No matter how scenic … there is just so much time you can spend on a train.
Any advice on this trip is greatly appreciated. (Hope I am not starting something that has been discussed at length. Promise not to talk about train passes). PS loved Wengen Thx Kym!
Sally (Australia)
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Hi Sally,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
Yes, the Bernina Express runs all year round but in winter, the service is limited to just one run in each direction per day. Typically the Bernina express leaves Chur about 8.20 am and arrives in Tirano at roughly 12.30pm. The new schedule should be available in mid-December. You can keep tabs here: http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable. You can also use the regular trains to travel from Chur to Tirano. You’ll be travelling on the same route. You can read about the differences travelling on the Bernina Express versus regular trains here: http://www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress
If you’re coming from Zurich, it might be practical to break the journey and spend a night in Pontresina or St Moritz before continuing to Milan via Tirano. You can find sightseeing options in St Moritz here: http://www.myswissalps.com/stmoritz/activities
Information about tickets and travel to Italy is available here: http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/italy
Regards,
Anna
Hi Sally. I did the Bernina Express in Sept 2022. I started with Glacier express in Zermatt and overnight in Chur. It was all fantastic but unfortunately the weather changed at Alp Grüm. Apparently that is a natural weather devide between the Swiss and Italian side with always aposing weather systems on either side.
In March 2023 I went back. This time only traveled on regional trains. As you know the Bernina express is great but very expensive. The regional train has a lovely local feel about it and less touristy. And best of all is you can open the windows for pictures without reflections.
My main reason for returning was to experience the route with snow. And oh boy was it fantastic. This time it was more cloudy on the Swiss side but clear skies and spectacular snow scenes on the Italian side.
I also did a short afternoon trip from Chur to Arosa. Another great train journey. I wanted to stop at Filisur to walk down to the Landwasser viaduct. Unfortunately you can’t leave your luggage at the station. Maybe a sleep over at Filisur?
Anyway, hope you have a lovely time. It is the most fantastic experience in winter. Enjoy!!
Thank you for the links Anna and the personal insights from ‘beard crazy’ were most helpful.
We were disappointed with our summer train experience on the Bernina (rocky views and the crowded touristy feel). I thought just taking the local train would be a better experience; nice to hear from someone who actually did it and agreed. We also did Arosa in the summer and whilst a delightful train journey and day on the mountain, would love to do it in the snow. It’s not something we see often down here.
Maybe stay at Chur 2 nights and do a day trip to Arosa, then a St Moritz overnight and enjoy a mid morning boarding time on the 951 the following day. Leaving on 2nd Jan we still get to Bologna on the 5th.
I feel a plan for this section coming together!
thank you.
Traveling in August – September my favourite places were Wengen, Lake Brienz, Chur and Lugano.
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