Not affiliated with, or endorsed by, any railway operator mentioned. Prices, timetables and cabin details change often — check the official operator before booking. Some links in this guide may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you; see our Affiliate Disclosure for details.
The short answer: the Bernina Express is a daytime panoramic train, not a sleeper. It runs from Chur or St. Moritz in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy, in about 4 hours for Chur to Tirano, crossing the UNESCO-listed Bernina line. You need a valid ticket plus a seat reservation, and you choose between the panoramic Bernina Express coaches and regular regional trains on the same line.
Route at a glance
| Leg | What to know |
|---|---|
| Chur to St. Moritz | Alpine valley section; connects with the main Swiss network at Chur |
| St. Moritz to Tirano | The classic Bernina section, over the Bernina Pass |
| Chur to Tirano | About 4 hours in total on the Bernina Express |
| Highlights | Brusio Circular Viaduct, a 360-degree spiral, and Ospizio Bernina at 2,253 meters |
The Brusio Circular Viaduct and the high point at Ospizio Bernina, 2,253 meters, are the two landmarks most travelers remember. The line is engineered to climb without rack rails, which is why the spiral viaduct exists: the track loops to gain height in a tight valley. Sit on the right-hand side heading south for some of the best valley views, but honestly both sides get spectacular sections, so do not stress about the seat.
Classes and what you get
The Bernina Express runs with panoramic coaches in 1st and 2nd class. First class gives you more space and quieter coaches; second class gives you the same views for less. There is no sleeper cabin and no luxury dining carriage on this train, so set expectations accordingly: this is a scenic daytime journey, and the luxury is the landscape, not the cabin. If you want a private, catered experience, compare it with the Glacier Express Excellence Class instead, or read our Bernina Express vs Glacier Express comparison to choose between the two Swiss routes.
Reservations, tickets and booking steps
- Choose your start point: Chur for the full journey, or St. Moritz if you are already in the Engadin.
- Buy a valid ticket for the route, or check whether your Swiss travel pass covers it.
- Add the Bernina Express seat reservation: CHF 32 for the short route and CHF 40 to 44 for the long route, plus your valid ticket.
- Check the timetable for your date on the official RhB booking page, because services and connections change seasonally. Exact departure times vary by date — check operator — so do not rely on a single timetable quoted in a blog.
- Allow time in Tirano to cross into Italy onward travel, and keep your passport or ID handy for the border section.
Bernina Express or regional train?
Regional trains run on the same Bernina line without the panoramic coaches or the reservation requirement. They are cheaper and more flexible, and you can hop on and off, but you give up the guaranteed panoramic seat and the through Bernina Express service. Choose the Bernina Express if you want the classic through journey with a reserved seat; choose regional trains if you want to stop in villages along the way and travel at your own pace. Either way, the scenery is the same line.
Practical tips for the journey
- Pack snacks and water. There is no full dining service to rely on, and the journey lasts about 4 hours from Chur to Tirano.
- Charge your camera and phone before boarding. The best photo sections come quickly, and you will not want to be hunting for a charger at the Brusio spiral.
- Dress in layers. You climb to 2,253 meters at Ospizio Bernina, where it is noticeably cooler than in the valleys, even in summer.
- Book the panoramic coach in advance in peak season. The reservation is mandatory for the Bernina Express, and popular dates sell out.
- If you are staying in Zurich, combine the trip with an early train to Chur, or stay overnight in Chur or St. Moritz so the day is not rushed. Our Zurich Hauptbahnhof hotel guide helps with early departures.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bernina Express a sleeper train? No. It is a daytime panoramic train with no beds. If you want to sleep on the train, look at Nightjet or European Sleeper routes instead, and compare costs in our luxury sleeper train price guide.
Do I need a reservation? Yes, for the Bernina Express panoramic coaches: CHF 32 for the short route and CHF 40 to 44 for the long route, plus a valid ticket. Regional trains on the same line do not require that reservation.
Which is better, Bernina Express or Glacier Express? Bernina is shorter, crosses into Italy, and feels wilder and higher. Glacier Express is longer, about 8 hours, and more polished, with the Excellence Class dining option. Our Bernina vs Glacier comparison lays out the full trade-off.
Last checked: 26 October 2026. Reservation figures and route details above reflect the official operator information summarized in our existing Bernina and Glacier guides. Exact departure times vary by date — check operator — and are not quoted as fixed times here. Prices, timetables and cabin details change often — check the official operator before booking.