Switzerland → Italy · Scenic
A panoramic Alpine rail journey from Switzerland toward Tirano, crossing UNESCO-listed railway landscapes, high mountain passes and dramatic viaducts before descending toward Italy.
Chur → Tirano
Mountains · Lakes
Photo: Christoph Radtke / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0
Why this route
Choose the Bernina Express for the unusual concentration of railway engineering and Alpine scenery in a journey that can fit into a single travel day. The line links high-elevation landscapes, glaciers, viaducts and the descent toward Tirano in a compact route.
Our current editorial assessment, for comparing journeys, a considered judgement, not a measurement.
More subjective
Not rated yet: value for money, seat quality, onboard service, slow travel quality, remoteness.
Step-free access and assistance are set out with the practical detail further down rather than reduced to a score.
The route
The map and published route details show the verified geography and structure of the line.
The published route runs from Chur to Tirano via Filisur, Bergün/Bravuogn, Pontresina, Ospizio Bernina, Alp Grüm, Poschiavo.
144 km · Chur to Tirano
Key stops
ChurFilisurPontresinaOspizio BerninaPoschiavoTirano
Chur
Switzerland
Filisur
Switzerland
Bergün/Bravuogn
Switzerland
Pontresina
Switzerland
Ospizio Bernina
Switzerland
Alp Grüm
Switzerland
Poschiavo
Switzerland
Tirano
Italy
Along the line
Published highlights in the order the route reaches them.
Filisur · Landmark
A signature engineering landmark on the Albula section of the route, highlighted by Rhaetian Railway as one of the Bernina Express journey highlights.
Ospizio Bernina → Alp Grüm · Landscape
One of the principal high-Alpine views on the Bernina Line, with the glacier visible around the Alp Grüm section.
Poschiavo → Tirano · Landmark
The circular stone viaduct is one of the defining engineering landmarks of the Bernina Line and one of Rhaetian Railway’s highlighted route sights.
Evidence on demand
Route, onboard, season, fit and booking detail remain available without interrupting the journey above. Unknowns stay visible.
4h
The published route runs from Chur to Tirano via Filisur, Bergün/Bravuogn, Pontresina, Ospizio Bernina, Alp Grüm, Poschiavo.
144 km · Chur to Tirano
Key stops
ChurFilisurPontresinaOspizio BerninaPoschiavoTirano
Chur
Switzerland
Filisur
Switzerland
Bergün/Bravuogn
Switzerland
Pontresina
Switzerland
Ospizio Bernina
Switzerland
Alp Grüm
Switzerland
Poschiavo
Switzerland
Tirano
Italy
The route does most of the work here, it is a journey taken for what passes the window rather than for the destination. At a few hours between Chur and Tirano (about 144 km), it is long enough to feel like a journey and short enough to watch the whole of it without losing concentration. Height is the story in the middle of this one, the line keeps gaining and losing it, and the ground below rearranges itself each time. The middle of the route, through Filisur and Ospizio Bernina, is where the journey stops feeling like a departure and starts feeling like a place of its own.
Panoramic windows
Panoramic cars confirmed by the official operator source.
Café / food service
Snacks and drinks are available at the seat on the panoramic service.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi availability confirmed by the official operator source.
Step-free boarding
Wheelchair-accessible seats are available with advance arrangements.
Bicycle space
Self-service bicycle transport is not available on the Bernina Express.
5 onboard details are confirmed against a source. Anything not listed here has not been researched yet; treat it as unknown, not absent.
Mar: Snowy high mountains with improving daylight make March a standout scenic month.
Month ratings describe scenery and conditions. Which months the service actually runs has not been verified yet.
Where to sit
Best overall: right side travelling Chur → Tirano
Generally the better side for Chur → Tirano. The Landwasser Viaduct, Ospizio Bernina area and Brusio Spiral are among the major views commonly favoured from this side. Views still vary along the route, and Lago di Poschiavo is a notable exception on the opposite side.
Travelling Tirano → Chur
Left side
Generally the better side for Tirano → Chur for the same major landmarks in reverse. The exact view still changes through curves and valleys, so this is an overall preference rather than a promise for every section.
Verification: high · Checked 10 Sept 2026
Slow travellers
Especially good
The experience rewards travelling for the journey itself rather than simply reaching the destination.
First-time rail travellers
Especially good
A compact, iconic introduction to Swiss scenic rail travel with strong destination value.
Rail enthusiasts
Especially good
UNESCO-listed railway engineering and distinctive mountain railway operation make the train itself a major attraction.
Photographers
Especially good
Frequent high-alpine, viaduct and glacier views make the journey exceptionally strong for photography.
Adventure seekers
The dramatic mountain crossing has strong adventure character without requiring an active outdoor itinerary.
Couples
A visually memorable full-day journey that works well as a shared special-occasion experience.
Solo travellers
Straightforward logistics and scenery-focused travel make it well suited to solo travellers.
Families
The journey is manageable in a day and offers continuously changing scenery, though advance planning helps.
Older travellers
Panoramic seating and a single through-journey format reduce complexity, while accessibility should still be checked for individual needs.
Luxury seekers
Comfort and panoramic cars are strong, but this is not primarily a luxury-hospitality product.
Budget travellers
The journey can be good value relative to its scenery, but reservation and fare details need current verification.
You cannot just turn up
A reservation is required for this journey.
Prices quoted Chur–Tirano 2nd class base fare plus mandatory 2026 reservation supplement; operator prices are subject to change. Reservation fee CHF 40–44. Rail-pass supplement CHF 40–44.
We link to the operator's own journey page. No direct booking channel has been verified for this service, so availability and fares must be checked there. Journey length: 4h. Source: Rhaetian Railway; no check date recorded.
The detailed source record remains at the end of this guide. Review the evidence.
Your next step
Official RhB data confirms mandatory seat reservation for Bernina Express. Swiss Travel Pass is accepted as the ticket, but the reservation supplement remains payable. Current availability should still be checked for the chosen departure. A seat reservation is still required with a rail pass.
Official journey information, Rhaetian Railway (opens in a new tab)We link to the operator's own journey page. No direct booking channel has been verified for this service, so availability and fares must be checked there.
Far by Rail is a discovery guide, not a live timetable or booking service. Confirm times, fares and availability with the operator.
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Journey information is reviewed against published material and maintained as sources change.
Last reviewed 10 Sep 2026.
Official sources
Date not recorded
Checked 7 Sep 2026