And then there are the ones that stay with you.

The Bernina Express is one of them.

We kicked off the new year onboard one of the most magical train journeys in the world. For our family, it felt like stretching that cozy Christmas feeling just a little longer — like being inside a Christmas snow globe, snowflakes and all.

Winter was fully in the Alps — snow everywhere — but the sun came out just for us, sparkling on the mountains and making the whole scene feel unreal. Absolutely stunning!

This ride had been on my husband’s bucket list for ages, and doing it in winter made it extra special. The Bernina Express has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008, and it’s easy to see why: the tracks twist and turn in perfect harmony with the Alps, blending human engineering with nature in the most beautiful way. Pure magic.

The High Point (Literally!)

The highest point? Ospizio Bernina station — 2,253 meters above sea level. Higher than most ski resorts! And yes, the train gets there without any special cogwheels — just classic train magic.

Here you can step off for a few minutes, breathe the crisp Alpine air, and just… stare. Turquoise lakes, snowy peaks, blue skies. Silent, breathtaking, unforgettable. Snap a couple of pics, then just soak it all in.

Pedro was amazed (and honestly, so were we) — he kept saying it looked like a “real-life snow globe.”

From Snowy Peaks to Sunny Tirano

The journey itself is like a mini adventure through different worlds:

• Start or end among palm trees in sunny Tirano, Italy
• Glide past glittering glaciers like Morteratsch
• Watch turquoise alpine lakes like Lago Bianco
• Travel through snowy peaks, gorges, and charming villages

All in about four hours, covering 196 bridges and 55 tunnels. Every few minutes, something new to gasp at!

Some highlights we loved:

• Brusio Spiral Viaduct — the train loops over itself in a perfect circle (we were amazed!)
• Landwasser Viaduct — a stone masterpiece that curves over a gorge

Fairy-tale vibes everywhere.

Our Ride (and our recommendation): First Class Out, Local Back

We took the first class from Chur to Tirano — and honestly, it was worth it. Wide seats, panoramic windows, calm atmosphere. We booked the 3 seats in the window to give the three of us the same magnificent view. It was perfect for a family to enjoy the view together.

For the way back, we tried the regional train — cheaper, same route, and a smart winter move since daylight disappears fast. The local train doesn’t have the huge windows, but you can open the regular ones, feel the fresh air, and even take some fun shots. Win-win.

It’s a lengthy ride, so stock up on snacks ahead of time. We had lunch in Tirano, but even on a standard weekday, we struggled to find an open spot—most restaurants close for the famous Italian pausa pranzo (lunch break), when everything quiets down for a couple of hours. We laughed about it later, but it was a perfect little taste of authentic local life and we managed to find a local Italian place to eat in the end. Pasta e basta! 

Fun family note: The trains offer onboard treats like Swiss chocolates (in cute Bernina-themed tins) and herbal teas—little luxuries that make the ride extra special for kids and adults alike. 

Would We Roam Again?

Absolutely, we’d roam the Bernina Express again without hesitation! It’s one of those rare experiences worth repeating, and we’d love to see it in every season!

Some journeys aren’t just about getting from point A to point B. Sometimes, the train itself is the adventure, and this one? Totally worth it.

How to plan and roam too:

1. Official website is best: Go to the RhB site → Bernina Express booking page or the general tickets section at tickets.rhb.ch. You can book both the train ticket and mandatory seat reservation in one go for the panoramic train.
   • For regional trains: Use the same site or the SBB app/website (sbb.ch) for point-to-point tickets—no reservation needed unless you want one.
2. Seat reservations are compulsory on Bernina Express panoramic cars (including for kids). Prices vary by season/route:
   • Short route (e.g., St. Moritz–Tirano): Often around CHF 28–36 all year.
   • Longer routes or peak summer: Slightly higher.
   • No discounts on reservations—even with Swiss Travel Pass, Eurail, etc.
3. Booking window in 2026:
   • Seat reservations often open up to 12 months (365 days) in advance, but the exact timetable/release can be mid-October for the following summer.
   • In practice: Book 4–8 weeks ahead for summer/high season (May–September)—popular departures sell out fast, especially good seats.
   • Winter/off-season: 1–2 weeks is usually fine, or even last-minute (check for “last-minute” deals from CHF 79 in 2nd class, bookable ~6 days before).
   • Pro tip: Set a calendar reminder if planning far ahead—seats for peak times can go quickly, sometimes snapped up by tour groups and released closer to date.
4. Passes that help:
   • Swiss Travel Pass or Saver Day Pass: Covers the full train fare (panoramic or regional), but you still pay the seat reservation fee separately for Bernina Express.
   • Buy the pass/ticket anytime before travel, but lock in the reservation early.
5. Choosing the best seats (family must-know!):
   • Right side when going north to south (Chur/St. Moritz → Tirano): Best views of glaciers, Lago Bianco, viaducts, and valleys.
   • Left side when going south to north (Tirano → St. Moritz/Chur): Mirrors the highlights.
   • In panoramic cars: 1st class often has more single/window seats on the prime side—worth it for families wanting space/views.
   • Use the seat map during booking to pick—avoid middle seats if possible.
   • For photos: Regional trains win with open windows (no glare/reflections).
6. Family/Practical Planning Tips
   • Book round-trip if possible—one way panoramic for the “wow” factor, return on regional for chill vibes and flexibility.
   • Arrive early at the station (e.g., St. Moritz start) to snag spots if doing regional.
   • Pack layers: Starts mild in Tirano (Italy), gets chilly at the pass—even in summer.
   • Snacks & water: Long ride (4+ hours), limited onboard options on regional.
   • Download the RhB/SBB app for real-time timetables, platform info, and mobile tickets.
   • Check for disruptions (rare, but e.g., seasonal diversions via Vereina tunnel).

Original:

Riding the Bernina Express in Winter: From Chur to Tirano

There are train journeys.

And then there are the ones that stay with you.

The Bernina Express is one of them.

What a better way for a traveler family than sliding to the new year onboard one of the most magnificent train journeys in the world. It simply felt like we were stretching that magical Christmas feelings and environment a little more. It was like being part of one of those Christmas snow globes full of snow flakes.

Winter was totally there, the Swiss Alps absolutely covered by snow but our journey day was kissed by the Sun, beautifully shining in the blue sky and making the snow sparkle. Absolutely stunning!

This journey was on my husband’s bucket list for some time and we wanted to do that during the winter season to experience the Alps. The Bernina Express has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008 and the railway lines were recognized not just for incredible engineering but for how harmoniously the tracks blend into the stunning Alpine landscape – human ingenuity meeting nature in perfect balance. Completely breathtaking. 

The highest point in the journey? It’s literally when the train reaches the highest railway crossing in Europe at Ospizio Bernina station, sitting at 2,253 meters (7,392 feet) above sea level. That’s higher than many ski resorts, and it’s achieved without any rack-and-pinion system (pure adhesion railway magic!). In this station we have the only stop where you can step out of the train for 5 minutes to breathe the Alps’ air and get speechless by the nature landscape – both turquoise lakes with white mountains (and in our day, closer to the beautiful blue sky). Totally silent, by nature beautiful. There you also have the opportunity to take some pictures, but no lens could capture such astonishing wonder. So take 1 or 2 and just live it!

Another highlight is how the route delivers an extreme variety of landscapes in one ride: start (or end) among palm trees in sunny Tirano, Italy (at just 429 m elevation), pass glittering glaciers like the Morteratsch, turquoise alpine lakes (such as the shimmering Lago Bianco), snowy peaks, deep gorges, and charming villages. It’s like traveling from winter wonderland to Mediterranean vibes in hours.

The full journey (typically Chur or St. Moritz to Tirano, or vice versa) crosses an astonishing 196 bridges and goes through 55 tunnels over about 4 hours and roughly 144–148 km. That’s non-stop action: every few minutes, you’re plunging into a tunnel or soaring over a viaduct!

One of the most interesting experiences is to pass the famous Brusio Spiral Viaduct (near the Italian end), which is a perfect 360-degree loop where the train spirals over itself to gain elevation in a very short distance. It’s one of the most photographed spots on the route and looks like something out of a fairy tale. We of course registered this experience!

Another iconic highlight is the Landwasser Viaduct—a dramatic, six-arch stone structure that curves gracefully over a deep gorge. The train seems to leap across it, offering jaw-dropping views that make passengers gasp.

Our journey choice and tips

We chose the 1st class experience on the way to Tirano and it was totally worth it. The panoramic window allows you to not miss any beauty in the way. We booked the 3 seats in the window to guarantee that all of us could really enjoy the premium view. But for the way back, we chose to take the regional train which is cheaper and does exactly the same route and in the winter, as the day gets dark early, this is the smartest way to plan it. In fact, on our way back the day lights were totally gone, so we were really happy by our decision. Plus, the local train has no panoramic window, however you can open the windows, so we could feel outside, take some better pictures. 

Fun family note: Some trains offer onboard treats like Swiss chocolates (in cute Bernina-themed tins) and herbal teas—little luxuries that make the ride extra special for kids and adults alike. 

However, as it’s a long trip, you better have some snacks with you. We had lunch in Tirano, but although it was a normal working day, we had a hard time finding a restaurant for lunch. Most of them were closed due to “lunch time”. Funny, but true!

Roam again?

Absolutely would roam again to Bernina Express. It’s an absolutely worthwhile experience and we personally would love to experience it in every season to experience the changes in the landscape. 

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Às vezes, os momentos mais simples contêm a sabedoria mais profunda. Deixe seus pensamentos se acalmarem, e a clareza virá até você. Use este espaço de citação para compartilhar algo inspirador ou reflexivo, perfeitamente alinhado com o tema do seu artigo.

Este parágrafo aprofunda o tema apresentado anteriormente, expandindo a ideia principal com exemplos, análises ou contexto adicional. Use esta seção para desenvolver pontos específicos e certifique-se de que cada frase se baseie na anterior para manter um fluxo coeso. Você pode incluir dados, anedotas ou opiniões de especialistas para reforçar seus argumentos. Mantenha a linguagem concisa, mas suficientemente descritiva para manter os leitores interessados. É aqui que a essência do seu artigo começa a tomar forma.

Conforme avança para o meio do artigo, este parágrafo oferece a oportunidade de conectar as ideias anteriores com novas perspectivas. Use este espaço para apresentar perspectivas alternativas ou abordar possíveis perguntas que os leitores possam ter. Encontre um equilíbrio entre profundidade e facilidade de leitura, garantindo que a informação seja compreensível. Esta seção também pode servir como uma transição para os pontos de conclusão, mantendo o impulso enquanto conduz a discussão para seus estágios finais.

Conclusão com pontos principais

Neste parágrafo de conclusão, resuma os pontos principais do seu artigo, reforçando as ideias mais importantes discutidas. Incentive os leitores a refletir sobre os conhecimentos compartilhados ou ofereça conselhos práticos que eles possam aplicar em suas próprias vidas. Esta é a sua chance de deixar uma impressão duradoura, então certifique-se de que seus pensamentos finais sejam impactantes e memoráveis. Uma conclusão sólida não apenas une o artigo, mas também inspira os leitores a se envolverem ainda mais.

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