The Bernina Express route with local trains
A traveler, Yusuf128, is planning a trip using local trains instead of the more expensive Bernina Express. They are looking for advice on finding details about local train routes and costs for their journey from Chur to Tirano, and potentially on to Lugano.
- Use the SBB timetable to find local train routes and connections.
- You don't need to reserve seats for regular trains, making them a flexible option.
- Consider purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass, which can cover your journey and might save you money.
- You can buy tickets at train stations on the day of travel without any hassle.
AI-generated summary-
Hi all. First of all thanks to you created this helpful page.
As you may know bernina train is a little bir expensive. Because of that i will prefer to local trains which is cheaper i hope😀.
i couldnt find any details about local trains. Do you know how can i find some details about local trains?
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It is important to understand the difference between Bernina Express and the actual railway infrastructure that the Bernina Express trains travel on. You do seem to have grasped this fact, but for me to give detailed advice it would be useful to know where you are going before and after the actual Bernina railway
The Bernina Railway is the (independent until 1947) railway built separately from the rest of the Rhatische Bahn railway. There are ordinary trains on this line and short distance Bernina Express services. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernina_Railway
Timetable here: http://www.fahrplanfelder.ch/fileadmin/fap_pdf_fields/2022/950.pdf
The Bernina railway links St Moritz, Pontresina and Tirano, the only railway to cross the high Alps without a summit tunnel.
Elsewhere the Bernina Express train travels over other routes of the Rhaetische Bahn (RhB), ie the Albula Railway.
In recent years the RhB railway company decided to make it easier for tourists by making the ‘Bernina Express’ a through train all the way from Chur to Tirano, but only half the journey is on the actual Bernina Railway, the other half of the journey is on the Albula Railway en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albula_Railway
Only the section Pontresina – Tirano is the Bernina line, so if you set off from Chur you can get any regular train to Pontresina or St Moritz. From Chur to St Moritz via Samedan is the UNESCO World Heritage Albula railway. It has express trains once per hour all day Chur – St Moritz, which have large windows and special photographer’s coaches so that when you get to the famous Landwasser viaduct at Filisur you get a good view. These trains do not need to be reserved in advance, especially if you get ready to board as soon as the carriages are in the platform at Chur.
Hi Yusuf128,
Of course it is possible to travel with the local trains on the same Bernina Express route. However you will need to switch trains and take slightly longer to complete the whole journey than if you were to travel with the panoramic Bernina Express train.
The Bernina Express route comprises various sections as detailed here: http://www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress/gettingthere Each section/route is served by a local train, so you simply switch from one local train to another to complete all sections. So using the SBB timetable, your routes would be Chur – Pontresina (you would need to switch to a bus or train in Samedan or St Moritz to get to Pontresina), then Pontresina – Tirano and finally Tirano to Lugano by bus (if you wish to continue to Lugano).
I hope this makes it easier for you to plan your trip. Let us know if you need more info.
Regards,
Anna
Hi Yusuf128,
You can read about differences between local trains and panoramic Bernina Express trains under “Regular trains versus Bernina Express” at http://www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress.
Thanks for the all details. I just want to ask 2 more questions.
I have checked available tickets from SBB Mobile and i can find many routes with prices.
do you recommend me to buy ticket now or is it possible to have ticket from the train station in the same day?
I can see bernina train going to tirano directly in the SBB Mobile. If i buy this ticket do i need to book seat?
thanks for your help in advance
If you use ordinary trains there is no need to reserve a seat – you can buy a ticket at the station ticket office at any time up to the train’s departure. All railway stations in Switzerland also have easy to use automatic ticket machines of a standard design (so that you can use them anywhere and be familiar with how to operate them). Someone posted a useful guide on line:
Hi Yusuf128,
If you use regular trains, you don’t need seat reservations. If you pick a connection that says “PE” (Panoramic Express), this is one with the official Bernina Express panoramic trains. Please find this explained under the header “Timetable” at http://www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress/gettingthere. In that case you do need seat reservations.
As for tickets: will you be using a rail pass? If so, you may not even need tickets. With a Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass) for example the entire ride will be for free.
If you don’t have a rail pass, I recommend you don’t buy regular tickets yet, but look into a Saver Day Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/saverdaypass. If you get it well in advance, it can be a cheaper than normal tickets. The options are explained at http://www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress/tickets.
Wow, that is all very good information. However, being 73, some of it seems to glide over a few details I still have questions about. Please forgive my slow on the uptakeness!
First, my wife and I are celebrating 42 years of marriage by taking a basically 4 week trip in Corsica and Italy via Zurich and the Bernina Express. Costs in all of our locations are really quite high. Therefore, the discussion of taking local trains to effect the same scenery in the astounding Alps sounds very good. We are in good shape and can handle change of trains pretty easily.
We are departing from Chur on September 15th. Final destination that day is Vareena on Lake Como.
Can I just buy a 1st class ticket in Chur for Vareena (Essino) and just change trains as needed, which would be where? (except for Tirano, that I know or at least think there will be change of train.)
Do I need to change in St. Moritz and Pontresina? Other stations?
If anyone could enlighten us to the correct order ob buying tickets would be so wonderful and appreciated.
This site is incredible!
Thanks to all, best regards and happy travels!
Kevin and Judy Gallagher,
Thank for all details. I am very appreciated.
Do you know how much a ticket? How much total cost will be for local trains?
i have checked from trainline and it says between 50 to 65 €. In the sbb mobile it seems 31 € point to point ticket. What is the difference between them? Do you have any idea?
I doubt it would be particularly quick and easy to buy a ticket at Chur through to Varenna, as the section is Italy is rather separate from the Swiss travel system.
If you use ordinary trains without reseervation, the route is:
Chur – Samedan (hourly Rhaetische Bahn [RhB] IR service on the Unesco heritage Albula Railway)
Samedan – Pontersina (short hop link by connecting RhB regional train)
Pontresina – Tirano (RhB train on the Bernina railway)
Tirano – Varenna-Esino (Trenord commuter / local train)
example timings:
Chur 09.58 – Samedan 1145 – (change) 11.48 – Pontresina 1157 (change) – 12.08
Tirano RhB 1423
Tirano Trenord 15.08 – Varenna 16.34
HiYusuf128
If you take a regular train instead of the Bernina Express train, you will need to switch trains twice or three times depending on your connection (refer to 1960man’s post). A point-to-point ticket from Chur to Tirano cost CHF63 for 2nd Class and CHF111 for 1st Class. The CHF31.50 is based on a single journey with a Half-Fare Card. (The SBB timetable prices is half-price by default as most Swiss commuters have this card).
Consider getting the Saver Day Pass. It might be cheaper than a regular ticket.
For tickets to Italy, you can check for further information here: http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/italy
I hope this gives you options to plan your trip.
Regards,
Anna
Hi Kevin,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
As 1960man pointed out, you probably need to get separate tickets for the Swiss part and Italian part of your train journey. However if you buy the ticket at the station, the staff at the counter might be able to arrange a single ticket for you.
If you travel with the regular trains, depending on which connection you take, you will have to switch trains twice or three times (refer to 1960man’s post). For timing and train schedules, it’s best to use the SBB timetable.
If you have further questions, you can start a new thread here: http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/rail
Regards,
Anna
Thank you all so very much for such thorough information. I will intake all this, check schedules and prices. I am beginning to think just buy the Bernina Express tickets to Tirano, and then from Tirano to Vareena. When can I purchase these tickets, how far in advance?
Thanks again to all responders, it makes us feel part of a caring travel family. Cheers to you all!
Best regards, Kevin and Judy
Hi Kevin,
You can book the Bernina Express ticket up to 6 months in advance. Options to purchase online are available here: http://www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress/tickets
For tickets to Italy, you can find more information here: http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/italy
Regards,
Anna
Just to clarify that on ordinary trains, the Chur to Tirano journey can be done with just one change of train at St Moritz. If you leave Chur on an early morning regular Interregio train to St Moritz you would have time for a lunch break there before continuing on a normal Bernina railway train.
Thank you 1960. I will look into that. Is there a cost difference that would make taking more local trains truly cost effective? I have also heard that the local trains use all the same tracks as the Bernina and have good accommodations for photography. What is your take on that? Thanks again, Kevin
Hi Kevin,
If you take the local/regular trains you don’t have to pay for seat reservation. I personally think the regular trains are just as comfortable as the Bernina Express panoramic trains. The views are the same as you will be travelling on the same route. The main disadvantage perhaps for visitors who are not used to the train system here, is that you have to switch trains a few times to complete the whole stretch.
Regards,
Anna
Thank you Anna and 1960 for the insight. I am digesting all the great info and we are diving into schedules and pricing to see what makes the most sense. We are avid train travelers and believe that getting there is half the fun, if not more. If we are fortunate enough to meet fellow travelers on this trip half as nice as the folks on this site our journey will have been a great success. Cheers!
Best regards, Kevin and Judy
As a reminder the railway route from Chur to the south end of the Bernina railway consists of two parts, the Albula Railway Chur – St Moritz and the Bernina Railway St Moritz – Tirano.
Regular IR trains Chur – St Moritz include a photographer’s carriage with opening windows (and a few trains still have old carriages with opening windows as well), so you can, for example, get a photo of the Landwasser viaduct (sit on the right hand side of the train going southbound). ‘Bernina Express’ coaches have sealed and tinted windows.
You don’t have to pay the additional seat reservation fee on ordinary trains, and you can (if you have time) stop off somewhere along the Albula route. At Filisur they have preserved the old signalling gongs that signal the approach of a train and they still operate. At Berguen Bravuogn there is a railway museum. (I think if I was planning a trip south I would try and stay a night in Berguen village)
Hi 1960, your opening paragraph clarified so much. Thanks for the explanations. We would love to dally a bit along the route but are planning on meeting up with youngest son and wife on Lake Como. Next trip we, different season, we will dally in beautiful Switzerland.
Happy trails, Kevin
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