Planning guide · 2026
Bernina Express.
From glaciers and high mountain passes to palm-lined Tirano — with the booking, ticket and reservation details explained properly.
The essential point
The ticket and seat reservation are separate. A valid rail pass can cover the fare, but the panoramic Bernina Express reservation remains compulsory.
Routes
Chur / St. Moritz ↔ Tirano
Short route
About 2h 15m
Long route
About 4–4½h
Bridges
196
Tunnels
55
Highest point
Lago Bianco · 2,253 m
The journey
What the Bernina Express actually covers
The Bernina Express is a panoramic Rhaetian Railway service linking Chur or St. Moritz in Switzerland with Tirano in northern Italy. The long route crosses 196 bridges and passes through 55 tunnels.
The Albula and Bernina Lines are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railway. If you begin in Chur, you get both lines in one trip; from St. Moritz, the focus is the Bernina Pass and the descent into Italy.
Albula Line & Landwasser Viaduct
If you start in Chur, the long route includes the UNESCO-listed Albula Line, its helical tunnels and the famous Landwasser Viaduct before reaching the Engadin.
Bernina Pass & Lago Bianco
The train climbs to Ospizio Bernina beside Lago Bianco at around 2,253 metres, one of the most dramatic high-alpine sections of the journey.
Palü Glacier & Alp Grüm
Around Alp Grüm, the route opens towards the Bernina Range and Palü Glacier before beginning the descent into Valposchiavo.
Brusio Circular Viaduct
Near the Italian border, the train loops around the open-air Brusio Circular Viaduct — one of the route's most recognisable engineering landmarks.
Tirano, Italy
The final section drops from the high Alps into a much warmer landscape before arriving in Tirano, where the Swiss railway meets northern Italy.
2026 timetable
When it runs
The main 2026 summer timetable runs from 2 May to 25 October 2026. Winter-period Bernina Express services also operate between 14 December 2025 and 1 May 2026, then again from 26 October to 12 December 2026, with fewer departures depending on the train and date.
One important 2026 exception: trains 951 and 952 are planned to be diverted via the Vereina route from 29 October to 13 November 2026because of engineering works.
Route choice
- Chur → Tirano
- Best if you want the Albula Line, Landwasser Viaduct and Bernina Line in one journey.
- St. Moritz → Tirano
- The shorter option, still including Lago Bianco, Alp Grüm, glaciers and Brusio.
- Tirano → Lugano
- A separate seasonal Bernina Express Bus can extend the journey towards Ticino.
How to book
Do it in this order
01
Choose the route first
The classic long journey is Chur–Tirano. The shorter St. Moritz–Tirano section keeps the Bernina Pass, glaciers, Lago Bianco and Brusio, but skips the Albula Line and Landwasser Viaduct.
02
Buy the rail ticket
You need a valid ticket for the route and class you are travelling. A Swiss Travel Pass is accepted as the train ticket, so pass holders generally only need to pay the compulsory Bernina Express reservation supplement.
03
Reserve the panoramic seat
A seat reservation is compulsory on the Bernina Express in both 1st and 2nd class. Bernina Express reservations can be made for the full published timetable period, so popular summer dates are worth booking early.
04
Check the exact train number
The reservation supplement depends on whether you are using a short-route or long-route Bernina Express service, not simply the distance printed on your ticket.
2026 prices
Ticket + reservation
The train fare and panoramic-seat supplement are separate. These are the published 2026 single-traveller fares before any eligible rail-pass or discount-card reduction.
St. Moritz → Tirano
2nd class ticket CHF 33 + reservation CHF 32
CHF 65 full-fare example
1st class ticket CHF 57 + reservation CHF 32
CHF 89 full-fare example
Chur → Tirano
2nd class ticket CHF 66 + reservation CHF 44 in main season
CHF 110 main-season example
1st class ticket CHF 113 + reservation CHF 44 in main season
CHF 157 main-season example
Short-route reservation
CHF 32
St. Moritz–Tirano services, throughout the 2026 timetable period.
Long route · low season
CHF 40
14 Dec 2025–1 May 2026 and 26 Oct–12 Dec 2026.
Long route · main season
CHF 44
2 May–25 October 2026.
Prices checked against Rhaetian Railway's published 2026 sales information on 30 August 2026 and are subject to change.
Regional-train alternative
You do not have to book the panoramic train
Regular RhB trains also run over the Bernina Line between St. Moritz and Tirano. The scenery is the same railway landscape, but the service is not branded Bernina Express and there are no panoramic coaches, catering service or Bernina Express InfoT(r)ainment.
This can be a very good option if Bernina Express reservations are sold out, if you want to stop along the route, or if flexibility matters more than the panoramic carriage. From the 2026 timetable, individual seats on regional Bernina Line trains can optionally be reserved for CHF 5.
On board
What you actually get
Both 1st and 2nd class use panoramic coaches. Free Wi-Fi and the digital InfoT(r)ainment travel companion are available.
Snacks and drinks are served at your seat. This is lighter catering than the full dining-style experience offered on some other Swiss panoramic trains.
Modernised panoramic cars include extra luggage space and power sockets, although luggage capacity is still limited.
Border crossing
Do not forget your documents
The Bernina Express crosses the Swiss–Italian border before reaching Tirano, so carry a valid passport or identity document appropriate to your nationality.
If you are travelling on a UK passport, take your passport with you rather than treating this as a domestic Swiss train day.
If continuing beyond Tirano, leave enough connection time for the Italian train or Bernina Express Bus you plan to take next.
Practical details
Questions people usually have
Which route should I book?
Choose Chur–Tirano if you want the most complete scenic journey, including both the Albula and Bernina Lines. Choose St. Moritz–Tirano if you mainly want the high-alpine Bernina section and need a shorter day.
How long does it take?
The St. Moritz–Tirano journey is about 2 hours 15 minutes on the panoramic service. Chur–Tirano is roughly 4 to 4½ hours depending on the particular 2026 service.
Which side should I sit on?
Do not rely too heavily on left versus right. The orientation of the coaches is not guaranteed, so RhB does not promise a specific side or forward-facing seat. If travelling as a pair, seats opposite one another are a sensible choice.
Can I do the route on a normal train instead?
Yes. Regional RhB trains use the Bernina Line between St. Moritz and Tirano. They do not have the Bernina Express panoramic cars, catering or InfoT(r)ainment, but they are much more flexible. In 2026, a regional-train seat reservation on this section is optional and costs CHF 5.
Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid?
Yes. The Swiss Travel Pass is accepted as the rail ticket. You still need to pay the compulsory Bernina Express seat-reservation supplement.
Can I take luggage?
Yes. Luggage racks are available, but space is limited. For very large cases, RhB recommends using its luggage service rather than relying on space inside the panoramic carriage.
Can I take a bicycle?
Not on the Bernina Express itself. Bicycles can be taken on suitable regional trains on the same route, subject to the normal bicycle rules and availability.
Can I take a dog?
Yes. Small dogs up to 30 cm shoulder height travel free in a suitable transport box; larger dogs need a valid dog ticket. Because the train crosses into Italy, bring the travel documents required for your animal.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Some seats are wheelchair-accessible, but they must be booked directly through RhB Railservice. Boarding and alighting assistance should also be arranged in advance.
Before you travel
Re-check your exact 2026 service
Bernina Express departure times, operating patterns and prices can change. Use this guide to understand the trip, then verify the exact train number, reservation supplement and timetable on the official Rhaetian Railway page before paying.