The Bernina Express, from St. Moritz over the pass to Tirano
The route and its highlights, where to start, which side to sit, winter or summer, how booking works, and how we turn the train into an easy day out from a St. Moritz chalet.
What the Bernina Express is, and how long it takes from St. Moritz
Speak to Nathalie or AdamThe Bernina Express is a panoramic train that crosses the Alps from Switzerland to Italy: from St. Moritz, or from Chur via the Albula Line, over the Bernina Pass to Tirano. From St. Moritz the ride takes a little over two hours. It climbs to Ospizio Bernina at 2,253 m, then drops past glaciers, the Alp Grüm balcony and the Brusio circular viaduct into the Valposchiavo. Every passenger needs a ticket plus a mandatory seat reservation, and the train runs in both summer and winter.
It is often confused with the Glacier Express between Zermatt and St. Moritz, but the two trains do very different jobs. The Glacier Express is a full travel day across Switzerland. The Bernina Express, taken from St. Moritz, is a morning: snow or larch forests out of the window, lunch in Italy, and back in the Engadin for the evening. That is why it is the excursion our guests in our luxury chalets in St. Moritz ask about most.
This guide follows the line from St. Moritz to Tirano: what you see and on which side, whether to start in St. Moritz or Chur, how it compares with the Glacier Express, when to go, how to book on the official website, and the four ways we usually organise the day. We do not quote fares: they depend on your section, your class and any pass you hold, and they are published by the railway.
The Bernina Express in verified figures
Checked against official sources, so you can plan with confidence.
The ride from St. Moritz to Tirano takes about 2 hours 10 minutes; Chur to St. Moritz adds about 2 hours.
Source: Bernina Express sales manual (Switzerland Tourism trade site)The full journey from Chur to Tirano takes 4 to 4.5 hours and passes through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges.
Source: myswitzerland.comOspizio Bernina, at 2,253 m above sea level, is the highest point of the line and of the whole regional network.
Source: Bernina Express sales manual (Switzerland Tourism trade site)The train climbs gradients of up to 70 per mille (7%) without a rack, by adhesion alone.
Source: Official Bernina Express pageThe Albula and Bernina lines were inscribed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2008; the Bernina line alone is 61 km long, with 13 tunnels and galleries and 52 viaducts and bridges.
Source: Unesco World Heritage CentreA seat reservation is required on top of a valid ticket, and the route is fully covered by the national Swiss rail passes; a passport or identity card is needed to enter Italy.
Source: myswitzerland.comThe Bernina Express route, from the Engadin to the Valposchiavo
If you picture a map of the Bernina Express route, it looks like a hook. From St. Moritz the line heads east to Pontresina, turns south-east up the Val Bernina, crosses the watershed at Ospizio Bernina and then plunges south into the Valposchiavo, the Italian-speaking valley that runs down to the border and Tirano. The southern half is the part people remember: in a few kilometres the landscape moves from ice and bare rock to green woods and the valley floor.
The train is not a rack railway. It climbs and descends on adhesion alone, at gradients of up to 7%, which is why the line loops, curves and spirals so much. The table follows the line southbound, as you would ride it on a day out from St. Moritz.
| Section | What you see | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| St. Moritz to Pontresina | The Upper Engadin plateau and the entrance to Val Bernina | Pontresina is a Bernina Express stop, and the start of the glacier valleys |
| Montebello curve | The Morteratsch glacier and the Bernina massif in one wide view | The most photographed bend of the line; have the camera ready soon after Pontresina |
| Lej Pitschen, Lej Nair, Lago Bianco | Three high lakes beside the track, then Ospizio Bernina | At 2,253 m, the highest point of the journey |
| Alp Grüm | The Valposchiavo far below, with the Palü glacier above | The train stops here; there is a viewing point beside the station |
| Poschiavo and Le Prese | The old town of Poschiavo and the lake of Le Prese | The line drops through hairpins towards the valley floor |
| Brusio circular viaduct | The train loops a full 360 degrees on a stone viaduct | Built to lose height in a narrow valley without a steeper gradient |
| Tirano | The Italian border town at the end of the line | Lunch stop before the return; the train has no restaurant car |
Highlights as described by the national tourist board and the railway. Stations served vary by train, so check the timetable for your date.
St. Moritz, Chur or Tirano: which section of the line to ride
The Bernina Express runs on three lines: Chur to Tirano, Davos to Tirano and St. Moritz to Tirano, each in both directions. From Chur or Davos, the train first climbs the Albula Line to reach the Engadin, and from Chur it crosses the Landwasser Viaduct on the way; from St. Moritz you ride the Bernina line only. If you have already done the Albula section on the Glacier Express, starting in St. Moritz loses nothing and halves the time on board.
| Option | Time on board | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Moritz to Tirano | About 2 hours 10 minutes | The whole Bernina line: glaciers, the pass, Alp Grüm, the Brusio loop | A day out from a St. Moritz chalet, with lunch in Italy |
| Chur to Tirano | 4 to 4.5 hours | The Albula Line with the Landwasser Viaduct, then the Bernina line | Travellers arriving from Zurich who want the full Bernina railway route |
| Tirano to St. Moritz | About 2 hours 10 minutes | The same line climbing, from vines up to the glaciers | Guests arriving from Milan or Lake Como, who reach the chalet by train |
| Tirano to Lugano by the Bernina Express bus | About 3 hours (March to October) | A road continuation from Tirano into the Italian lakes, ending in Lugano | Making the train part of a longer journey into the Italian lakes |
Times from the railway’s sales manual and the national tourist board. The bus runs only in the warmer months and also needs a seat reservation.
Bernina Express or Glacier Express: the honest differences
The question comes up every winter, and the answer depends on what the day is for. The Glacier Express is a destination in itself: a long, comfortable crossing with a meal served at your seat, and the natural way to move between Zermatt and St. Moritz. The Bernina Express is shorter, steeper and more dramatic for its length, and from St. Moritz it fits inside a single day without changing residence. Many of our guests do both in the same trip: the Glacier Express to arrive in the Engadin, the Bernina Express as an excursion during the stay.
| Bernina Express | Glacier Express | |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Chur, Davos or St. Moritz to Tirano, Italy | Zermatt to St. Moritz, within Switzerland |
| Time on board | About 2 hours 10 minutes from St. Moritz; 4 to 4.5 hours from Chur | About 8 hours end to end |
| Highest point | Ospizio Bernina, 2,253 m | Oberalp Pass, 2,033 m |
| Food on board | Minibar with snacks and drinks; no restaurant car | Meals served at your seat |
| Season | Summer and winter timetables | Annual break from mid-October to early December |
| Documents | Passport or identity card for Italy | None beyond your ticket |
| Best use from a chalet | A day trip from St. Moritz and back | The changeover day between two resorts |
Glacier Express figures from the official Glacier Express website, as set out in our Glacier Express guide.
Seats, classes and which side to sit on the Bernina Express
Both 1st and 2nd class travel in the same panoramic carriages, with large windows curving up into the roof and air conditioning, so the view does not depend on the ticket. First class is quieter, with fewer passengers and single or double seats; 2nd class has double seats with generous legroom. The reservation supplement is the same whichever class you choose, which makes 1st class good value on a busy summer day.
On side, regular travellers almost always give the same advice: heading south from St. Moritz, sit on the right. That is the side of the Morteratsch glacier at the Montebello curve and of Lago Bianco near the pass. The Brusio loop is visible from both sides as the train turns. Coming north from Tirano, reverse it and sit on the left. With panoramic windows the difference is smaller than on most trains, but it matters for photographs.
- Food: there is no restaurant car, only a minibar with regional snacks and drinks. Plan lunch in Tirano, or Poschiavo if you leave the train there.
- Bags: for a day trip, a small bag is all you need. Bicycles are not carried on the Bernina Express.
- Photos: panoramic windows reflect, so a lens hood or a dark jumper against the glass helps. Alp Grüm, where the train stops, is the best moment for a clear shot.
- Children: a little over two hours each way suits children well, and the station at Alp Grüm is a natural break.
Bernina Express in winter or summer, and how to book it
The train runs on a summer and a winter timetable. On the 2024 timetable the two periods followed each other with no gap, so unlike the Glacier Express there was no long autumn break. Winter is the season most of our guests ride it: deep snow on the pass, the lakes white, and sunshine in the Valposchiavo at lunchtime. Summer brings extra panoramic carriages on some trains, the green descent to Tirano and the seasonal bus to Lugano. Late spring and autumn are quieter, and the colours of the larches above Pontresina in October are worth the trip alone.
- Pick the section and the direction
St. Moritz to Tirano and back is the classic day out. Decide whether you return by train or by car, as that changes the timing of the whole day.
- Check the timetable for your date
Some departures run only on certain days or periods. Look at the official timetable for the exact date before planning lunch or a pick-up in Tirano.
- Buy the ticket, or use your pass
You need a valid ticket for the route. The national Swiss rail passes and the annual travelcard cover it in full. Fares and conditions are on the official Bernina Express website.
- Add the seat reservation
The reservation is mandatory for every passenger, pass holders included, and can be made at most 90 days ahead. Book as soon as the window opens for festive weeks, February and summer weekends.
- Bring your passport or identity card
Tirano is in Italy, and a passport or identity card is required to cross the border by train or bus. Keep it on you, not in the chalet.
- Plan both ends of the day
Arrange the transfer to St. Moritz station in the morning and, if you are not coming back by train, the car that will wait for you in Tirano.
A Bernina Express day from a St. Moritz chalet
Because the train starts in St. Moritz, there is no luggage and no change of residence: you leave after breakfast and are back for the evening. Our concierge books the seats, the lunch table in Tirano and the transfers, and adjusts the plan to the weather on the morning. At Chalet Azelia and Chalet Gus, a private chauffeur is available daily until 11 pm; at Chalet Nore, close to the centre of St. Moritz, a chauffeur service around the Engadin can be arranged on request.
If the day is about the mountains rather than Italy, combine a short ride with the glaciers: the Bernina line also serves the stations for Diavolezza and Morteratsch, covered in our guide to Pontresina and the Bernina glaciers. For the wider picture of the valley, airports and arrival, see our St. Moritz travel guide.
| The day | How it runs | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Train both ways | Morning Bernina Express south, lunch in Tirano, afternoon train back to St. Moritz | Those who want the views twice, in both lights |
| Train out, car back | Train to Tirano, lunch, then a car back over the Bernina Pass road, with a stop where you like | Families and anyone who prefers a shorter afternoon |
| Short ride to the pass | Train to Ospizio Bernina or Alp Grüm, a walk or a coffee with the view, then back up the valley | A half day with young children, or a day with skiing in the morning |
| One way into Italy | Train to Tirano, then the bus to Lugano or a car to Lake Como for one or two nights, with luggage sent by road | Guests ending a St. Moritz week with the Italian lakes |
The car on the Italian side and luggage transfers are arranged by our concierge on request.
Our chalets at the start of the line in St. Moritz
Four St. Moritz residences, all visited by our team, a short drive from the station where the Bernina Express begins.
St. Moritz chalets side by side
Choose by the size of your party and the wellness you want to come back to after a day on the train.
| Residence | Guests | Bedrooms | Bathrooms | Living area | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chalet AzeliaSt. Moritz | 14 | 6 | 7 | 1,000 m² | Indoor Pool, Cinema Room, Hammam, Massage Room, Jacuzzi |
| Chalet GusSt. Moritz | 20 | 9 | 9 | 930 m² | Indoor Pool, Wine Cellar, Hammam, Sauna, Massage Room |
| Chalet NoreSt. Moritz | 15 | 6 | 7 | 467 m² | Indoor Pool, Cinema Room, Hammam, Sauna, Massage Room |
| Chalet CalistaSt. Moritz | 20 | 7 | 8 | 744 m² | Indoor Pool |
Rates are on request and depend on dates and services. Your advisor confirms availability and the final details of every residence.
A Bernina Express day, organised from the chalet
The train is easy; the day around it is where the details matter.
Seats as soon as they open
We watch the reservation window for your dates and book the whole party together, in the class you prefer.
Lunch in Italy, arranged
A table in Tirano or Poschiavo booked for the train’s arrival, so the stop is a pleasure rather than a queue.
A car on the other side
If you would rather come back by road, the car waits in Tirano and brings you over the pass to the chalet.
Weather calls
If the pass is in cloud, we move the day and keep it for a clear morning later in your stay.
Bernina Express questions
Anything else? Our team in Paris answers personally, usually within the day.
Ask our teamHow long is the Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Tirano?
About two hours and ten minutes, according to the railway’s figures. The full journey from Chur to Tirano, which adds the Albula Line, takes four to four and a half hours. From a St. Moritz chalet, that means a morning train south, lunch in Tirano and an afternoon train back, with time to spare before dinner. Always check the exact times for your date on the official timetable.
Which side of the Bernina Express is best?
Heading south from St. Moritz towards Tirano, the usual advice is to sit on the right, the side of the Morteratsch glacier at the Montebello curve and of Lago Bianco near the pass. Coming north from Tirano, sit on the left. The Brusio circular viaduct can be seen from both sides as the train turns. The panoramic windows make the difference smaller than on an ordinary train.
Is the Bernina Express worth it?
For most people, yes, and especially from St. Moritz, where it takes just over two hours and needs no change of residence. In that time the train climbs to 2,253 m at Ospizio Bernina and descends into Italy through glaciers, lakes and a full spiral viaduct. If you have only one long train day in Switzerland, the Glacier Express is the bigger journey; the Bernina Express is the better excursion.
Does the Bernina Express run in winter?
Yes. The train runs on a winter timetable as well as a summer one, and the snow on the Bernina Pass is one of the best reasons to take it. Some summer trains carry extra panoramic carriages, and the Bernina Express bus from Tirano to Lugano runs only from March to October, so in deep winter the train is the whole journey. Seat reservation remains mandatory all year.
How much is the Bernina Express?
The cost has two parts: a ticket for your section and class, and a mandatory seat reservation supplement for every passenger. The total depends on where you start, the season and any pass you hold; a national rail pass covers the ticket in full but not the reservation. Current fares are published on the official Bernina Express website. Our own services around the day are on request.
Do you need a passport for the Bernina Express?
Yes, if you travel to Tirano. The town is in Italy, and the national tourist board states that a passport or identity card is required to enter Italy by train or bus. If you only ride as far as Ospizio Bernina, Alp Grüm or Poschiavo, you stay in Switzerland, but most guests carry their documents anyway in case the plan changes during the day.
You may also like
Plan the Bernina Express day with us
Tell Nathalie Nguyen or Adam Haddad your dates and your party: we find the right chalet in St. Moritz, book the Bernina Express seats and the lunch in Tirano, and arrange the car if you would rather return over the pass by road. WhatsApp +33 7 80 98 05 43 or contact@lutetia-group.com; we usually reply within the day.