The Bernina Express is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site railway that runs between Chur or Davos/St. Moritz in Switzerland and Tirano in Italy.
The passage of the Red Train of Bernina near the Bernina Pass (Image: Getty)
A Swiss train line with protected status is widely considered to be the most beautiful train journey in the world. The Bernina Express, operated by the Rhaetian Railway, is renowned as one of the most spectacular train journeys globally.
Running between Chur or Davos/St. Moritz in Switzerland and Tirano in Italy via the Bernina Pass, this scenic route covers 90 miles (155km) of stunning landscapes, including icy panoramas, dramatic peaks, and sunny Italian vistas, captivating passengers over a four-hour journey. The train traverses 55 tunnels, crosses 196 bridges, and tackles steep gradients of up to one in seven.
The Bernina Express travels through the snowy mountains (Image: Getty)
Its year-round operation includes daily departures from Chur and Tirano, with increased services during peak summer months, providing convenient travel options posted online.
What distinguishes this 120-year-old line, part of the Rhaetian Railway, is its UNESCO World Heritage status, recognising its remarkable engineering feats in piercing through the Alpine terrain.
Highlighted as the most picturesque train voyage by travel specialists at JR Pass, the Bernina Express showcases breathtaking landmarks like the Landwasser Viaduct, a towering bridge spanning a deep gorge, which may evoke awe or even vertigo in some passengers.
One passenger wrote on TripAdvisor: "What an amazing trip. Excellent train trip. The scenery was amazing. The train was comfortable and had great 1st Class carriages. Staff were friendly."
Alpine train at Lago Bianco (Image: Getty)
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A second person said: "It was the 8th of December, 2023. We took the Bernina Express from Chur, and experienced the most majestic 8 hours train ride to Tirano, Italy and back. The landscapes were amazing, from the color of winter to autumn to greens."
Another person commented: "What an amazing and beautiful experience! I cannot recommend it enough. We did the Chur to Tirano leg and it was simply wow!
"Seats were really comfortable and plenty of luggage space. Best part of the trip was that we had a quick 15 minute stop at the highest point which was unexpected but so welcomed.
"I would recommend this experience to anyone who wants to see some epic scenery."
3 weeks ago
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English (US) · 