How Bernina Express tickets work
The railway behind the Bernina Express is the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) in Switzerland. Tirano is the Italian end of the line. This site is independent and does not sell tickets. The figures below come from the RhB and show the date from which they apply.
Two cases need to be kept apart. In the panorama car you need a valid ticket and a compulsory, paid seat reservation. This also applies if you hold a GA, a Swiss Travel Pass or a day ticket. On the regional train between St. Moritz and Tirano a valid ticket is enough, and a seat reservation is optional.
Fares from 13 December 2026
Normal fares per person for a single trip, without reservation.
| Route | 2nd class | 1st class |
|---|---|---|
| Chur to Tirano | CHF 69 | CHF 118 |
| St. Moritz to Tirano | CHF 35 | CHF 60 |
| Bus Tirano to Lugano | CHF 41 | – |
These fares apply from 13 December 2026 to 11 December 2027. For travel before that date, look up the fare in the RhB booking system. Prices are in francs, and the euro amount depends on the exchange rate on the day.
Bernina line and Valtellina day trips
Trips on and around the Bernina line, with live prices and availability.
Reservation surcharges
Valid from 13 December 2026, per person and trip.
| Service | Surcharge | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Short-distance trains St. Moritz to Tirano | CHF 32 | Trains that run only between St. Moritz and Tirano |
| Long-distance trains, low season | CHF 40 | 13 December 2026 to 23 April 2027 and 4 October to 11 December 2027 |
| Long-distance trains, high season | CHF 44 | 24 April to 3 October 2027 |
| Bus | CHF 16 or CHF 18 | Reservation for the Bernina Express bus |
The surcharge depends on the train number, not on the shorter section you book. A passenger who rides only part of a long-distance train still pays the surcharge of that train. Older web pages may show lower reservation fees. Use the current RhB figures.
Worked examples
Simple sums from the figures above. The final price is the one shown when you book.
Adult, Chur to Tirano, 2nd class, low season
CHF 69 fare plus CHF 40 surcharge makes CHF 109 for a single trip. In high season the surcharge is CHF 44, which makes CHF 113.
Adult, St. Moritz to Tirano, short-distance train
CHF 35 fare plus CHF 32 surcharge makes CHF 67 for a single trip in 2nd class.
Child aged 10, Chur to Tirano, low season
Half of CHF 69 is CHF 34.50. The surcharge is not reduced, so CHF 40 is added, which makes CHF 74.50.
Children, passes and Interrail
Children: children under 6 travel free and need no ticket. Children from 6 to under 16 pay half the fare. The seat reservation surcharge is the full amount for everyone, including children.
Interrail: a pass valid for Switzerland covers the whole Bernina Express route including Tirano. You need no extra pass for Italy on this RhB section. The panorama seat and the bus are reserved separately and cost extra.
GA, Swiss Travel Pass, day ticket: these cover the fare, not the panorama reservation.
The regional train as an alternative
Same line, different rule.
No compulsory reservation
On the regional train between St. Moritz and Tirano a valid ticket is enough. You do not pay a panorama surcharge.
Optional seat for CHF 5
If you want a guaranteed seat, the optional reservation costs CHF 5 per person and direction, in both classes.
What you give up
Regional cars more often have regular windows, and the panorama car has windows up into the roof. See the Bernina Express guide for the route and the seating question.
Bernina Express tickets: frequently asked questions
How much is a Bernina Express ticket?
From 13 December 2026, a single trip from Chur to Tirano costs CHF 69 in 2nd class and CHF 118 in 1st class. From St. Moritz to Tirano it costs CHF 35 and CHF 60. The reservation surcharge comes on top in the panorama car.
Do I need a reservation with a Swiss Travel Pass?
For the panorama car, yes. The pass covers the fare but not the compulsory seat reservation.
Do children pay?
Children under 6 travel free without a ticket. Children from 6 to under 16 pay half the fare. The reservation surcharge is the full amount.
Does Interrail work on the Bernina Express?
Yes, with a pass valid for Switzerland, including the section to Tirano. The panorama and bus reservations are extra.
Can I ride without a reservation?
Yes, on the regional train from St. Moritz to Tirano. A valid ticket is enough there, and a seat reservation for CHF 5 is optional.