The Bernina Express at a glance
The Bernina Express is a scenic train service on the line of the Rhaetian Railway (RhB), a Swiss railway. Tirano in Valtellina is its Italian terminus. From Tirano the line climbs through Brusio, Poschiavo, Alp Grüm and Ospizio Bernina to Pontresina.
At Pontresina the routes divide. Trains to St. Moritz and the direct trains to Chur are different services. Do not plan on one ride from Tirano through St. Moritz to Chur without changing. The line crosses the border between Italy and Switzerland, so bring your travel documents and check the entry rules for your nationality. This site is independent and has no link to the railway.
Bernina Express route: Tirano to St. Moritz and Chur
One shared section, then two different services.
| Route | Guide time | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Tirano and St. Moritz | About 2 h 15 min | Shared Bernina section to Pontresina, then on to St. Moritz. Regional trains and Bernina Express trains both run here. |
| Tirano and Chur | About 4 hours | Direct trains run their own route after Pontresina. One summer 2026 example: Chur 08:17, Tirano 12:49, which is 4 h 32 min. |
Guide times are rough. Individual trains take longer, so treat them as neither a minimum nor a promise. Check the timetable for your date.
Our picks: Bernina trips
A rail-only ticket from Tirano, and two coach-and-train day trips from Milan and Como.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Day trip from Como to Tirano and St. Moritz
Coach from and back to Como with an English and Italian guide, a stop in Tirano and free time in St. Moritz. The panoramic carriage and the Diavolezza lunch need the matching option; meals, entries and hotel pickup are not included.
Check availability →
Day trip from Milan to Tirano and St. Moritz
Air-conditioned coach from and back to Milan with an English and Italian guide, a stop in Tirano and a visit to St. Moritz. The panoramic carriage and a lunch at Diavolezza come only with the matching option, and the lunch replaces the free time in St. Moritz.
Check availability →Bernina Red Train return ticket, Tirano to St. Moritz
A return rail ticket with a timetable and a mini guide to the stops. No guide travels with you; food, drinks and the trip from Milan to Tirano are extra.
Check availability →Bernina line and Valtellina day trips
Trips on and around the Bernina line, with live prices and availability.
Panorama car or regional train
Both use the same line. The difference is the car and the reservation rule.
| Panorama car (Bernina Express) | Regional train | |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Reach up into the roof | More often regular windows |
| Seat | Reserved seat, on-board service | Seat reservation is optional |
| What you need | Valid ticket and a paid reservation | Valid ticket is enough |
| Reservation price | See the ticket guide | CHF 5 per person and direction, both classes (2026) |
Rail passes do not replace the panorama reservation. Even with a GA, a Swiss Travel Pass or a day ticket, you still need the reserved seat.
What you pass on the Tirano side
These are the places named on the shared section, in the order you reach them from Tirano.
Tirano
The ride starts at the station area. The red trains of the Bernina line even run on the street here.
Brusio
The circular viaduct at Brusio is visible from the train.
Poschiavo
A stop on the shared section, between Brusio and Alp Grüm.
Alp Grüm and Lago Bianco
Alp Grüm is a station on the climb. The line then runs along the Lago Bianco.
Ospizio Bernina and Pontresina
Ospizio Bernina is on the pass. At Pontresina the routes to St. Moritz and Chur divide.
Which side should you sit on?
Nobody can promise you a side. According to the RhB, the direction in which a car faces is not known in advance, because cars can be attached at either end of the train. Tips such as "sit on the left" can therefore be wrong on your day.
Choose a seat at a window, reserve early if you take the panorama car, and look both ways. The line turns and climbs often enough that the view changes from one side to the other.
Timetable seasons and autumn changes
The RhB shows a summer timetable from 2 May to 25 October 2026 and a winter timetable from 26 October to 12 December 2026. A new timetable and new fares apply from 13 December 2026 to 11 December 2027.
From 29 October to 13 November 2026 the RhB announces a detour for trains 951 and 952. They run from Chur via Klosters and the Vereina tunnel to Pontresina instead of the usual route over the Albula and Landwasser line. Do not count on the usual scenery in those weeks, and check the timetable before you go.
Plan a day from Tirano
A train ticket is not a guided tour with hotel pickup. You organize the day yourself.
From Milan
Trenord trains run from Milano Centrale to Tirano in about 2 hours 30 minutes. See getting there for buses and driving. For other trips from the city, see day trips from Milan.
Return to St. Moritz
At the guide time of 2 hours 15 minutes each way, a return trip adds up to about 4.5 hours on the train. Individual trains can take longer.
Stay in Tirano
Tirano is the natural base for an early start. See the Tirano guide and where to stay.
Bernina Express: frequently asked questions
Does the Bernina Express go from Tirano to Chur without changing?
There are direct trains between Chur and Tirano, and the connections to St. Moritz are a separate service. Do not assume one ride through St. Moritz. Check on your date whether you need to change at Pontresina.
How long does the ride take?
The RhB gives a guide time of about 4 hours between Chur and Tirano and about 2 hours 15 minutes between St. Moritz and Tirano. Individual trains take longer.
Do I have to reserve a seat?
In the panorama car, yes. You need a valid ticket and a paid reservation. On the regional train from St. Moritz to Tirano a valid ticket is enough, and the seat reservation is optional at CHF 5 per person and direction.
Which side has the best view?
That cannot be promised. The direction of the cars is not known in advance, so choose a window seat and look both ways.
Is the regional train the same as the Bernina Express?
No. They are different products on the same line. The panorama cars have windows up into the roof, a reserved seat and on-board service. Regional cars more often have regular windows.