Bernina Express travel guide

But that’s not the only reason to board a train along this unforgettable route, one of the best train journeys in the world. You’ll also see majestic scenery as you voyage through the peaks, as well as negotiating 55 tunnels, 196 bridges and countless steep inclines, climbing to 2,253m above sea level in the Alps.

So if you’re planning a journey on the Bernina Express, here’s everything you need to know before you board in our Bernina Express travel guide.

The Bernina Express route stretches for around 76 miles from Chur or St Moritz in Switzerland to Tirano, just across the Swiss border in Italy. Along the way, it stops up to 25 times during the four-hour journey, at locations including Pontresina, which is home to wild Ibexes, Morteratsch for hiking trails to the Morteratsch glacier, Alp Grüm to hike to the Bernina Pass and Poschiavo, part of Italian-speaking Switzerland, as well as stations which connect to Davos.

Bernina Express route

From Tirano, there’s also the option to extend your journey aboard the Bernina Express Bus which runs to Lugano from February to November (daily during the summer, more limited times in winter).

The vibrant scarlet Bernina Express trains travel year-round, so there’s no single best time to take the Bernina Express. Instead, you can choose to enjoy the scenery with a blanket of sparkling snow during winter, with wildflowers blooming in late spring or with blazes of gold and orange among the green as autumn arrives.

But whenever you decide to travel, here are some of the key sights along the Bernina Express route and highlights to look out for.

Known as the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism, some of the Bernina Express trains start or end their route in stylish St Moritz, and it’s a lovely place to spend some time. Set on the lakeside, it’s known for its skiing and hosted the Winter Olympics twice, but there are also lovely walks in summer.

St Moritz

This dramatic viaduct stretches 65m high above a deep gorge and is one of the most recognisable symbols of the Rhaetian Railway. The stone bridge, with its six arches, curves into a tunnel bored out of the cliff face, and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Landwasser Viaduct

One of the biggest glaciers in the eastern Alps, it’s the largest in the Bernina range and you’ll get a good view from the train as you climb towards the Bernina Pass. In spring, you can even spot skiers making the most of the snow-sure pistes.

The literal high point of the journey, the Bernina Pass stretches for 32km between Pontresina and Poschiavo, and it’s during the journey through this high mountain pass that you reach the maximum elevation of the journey. At 2,253 metres above sea level, you will find the Ospizio Bernina, the highest point on the route, with some of the best views of the peaks surrounding you.

Bernina Pass

This white lake gets its name and its colour from the glacier meltwaters, which give the waters a milky look – it’s thanks to the glacial silt, rock which has been ground to powder by the force of the glacier. Its twin lake, Lago Nero (also known as Lej Nair in Romansh) is a deep dark blue colour that can look almost black in some lights.

Another high point of the journey, the Alp Grum station sits at 2,091m up, looking out onto the Palu Glacier as well as onto Lake Palu. There’s usually a short stop allowing time to take some photos of the wonderful views down to the valley.

Another engineering marvel and one of the iconic sights along the route, this circular viaduct allows the train to navigate a steep gradient in a short distance. The train makes a tight curve as it crosses the nine arches on the bridge, each 10m in diameter, letting you see the other carriages as you spiral along the loops.

Brusio Spiral Viaduct

This beautiful lake is one of the loveliest views in a journey of endlessly picturesque scenery – it’s hard to pick the best part of the Bernina Express route, but this is easily one outstanding highlight. The gleaming calm blue water in the heart of the Poschiavo Valley reflects the mountains as you pass by, with the Bernina Express route hugging the edge of the lake.

The Bernina Express runs on part of the standard Swiss network, so regular trains also travel along the same track and the locomotives are used to pull the special Bernina Express carriages. These have large panoramic windows to give a better view out onto the wonderful scenery.

There are both second and first-class carriages, which are similar but with a slightly different seat layout. The second-class carriages have two sets of four seats either side of the aisle, while first class has slightly larger seats with one set of four seats and a set of two on the other side.

All are air-conditioned, with a guide to listen to via your phone and an onboard trolley service providing drinks and snacks.

With the large panoramic windows, there’s always a good view but if you’re travelling from Switzerland to Italy, the best seats on the Bernina Express are on the right side of the train. If you’re travelling in reverse, from Italy to Switzerland, the best seats on the Bernina Express are on the left--hand side.

There’s limited food served on board the Bernina Express, with no restaurant car or bar on board. Instead there is a trolley service, which serves refreshments and drinks at your seat.

Drinks include beers, wine and soft drinks, along with some Swiss snacks for the four-hour journey. You can also bring your own food, drink and snacks on board if you prefer.

For those travelling in first class, there’s a souvenir gift of some Swiss chocolate in a box shaped like a Bernina Express train compartment, as well as some herbal tea.

Free WiFi is available on board the Bernina Express. There’s also a digital guide provided called the InfoT(r)ainment, which provides information about the train and the UNESCO World Heritage Site you’re travelling through, available for free to access on your phone.

There is no restaurant or bar on board the Bernina Express but there is a trolley providing drinks, including beer and wine, as well as snacks. You can also bring your own food and drink on board.

There are toilets on board the train, including an accessible toilet in first class. There are also seats available on the Bernina Express for passengers with impaired mobility who cannot leave their wheelchair, which must be prebooked.

Length: 144 km

Bridges: 196

Tunnels: 55

Highest point: 2,253m above sea level.

Passengers per year: around 100,000

Discover our escorted touring holidays to Switzerland, including rail journeys, such as a tour of the Italian Lakes and Bernina Express Tour with a Mediterranean Cruise