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Bernina Express

Connecting Switzerland and Italy via the highest mountain railway in the Alps, the Bernina Express train rises to the challenges presented by snow, ice and the steepest gradients to delight passengers with a four-hour journey of breath-taking beauty through this iconic mountain range.

Beginning in the north at Chur, capital of the canton of Graubünden and the oldest city in Switzerland, the narrow-gauge railway that carries the scarlet-liveried Bernina Express winds its way south-eastwards through the Alps, crossing into Italy shortly after Poschiavo, to its destination in Tirano.

Highlights

The Alpine passage that the Bernina Express makes from Switzerland to Italy has been acclaimed as Switzerland's most scenic journey, and passengers have much to admire from the train's panoramic windows.

The first part of the route from Chur passes through the area of Switzerland most populated with castles. As the train ascends into the glacier-dominated region of Bernina itself, the scenery becomes increasingly breath-taking. However, the views are at their most magnificent at the mountain-ringed Lake Bianco, whose placid waters mirror the sky above.

Of the 55 tunnels and 196 bridges that help the train negotiate the trickier natural elements of the route, Solis Viaduct and famous Landwasser Viaduct are particularly spectacular.

Landwasser Viaduct

Our customers love our Bernina Express tours

First-Class Glacier Express, Zermatt and Matterhorn

30/Jun

N Messenger

“First class itinerary & organisation

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Traditional Glacier Express

29/Jun

TW

“From start to finish the trip was well planned. The administration was comprehensive and helpful. The tour guide contacted each traveller before the journey commenced and provided lots of additional itinerary information and advice. The hotels were good and the itinerary did not disappoint. There were a couple of free days but with optional choices for those seeking more trips. The company app was very useful: it had weather information, currency conversions, hotel locations and much more. The other travellers were great fun and we had a wonderful time. The scenery was amazing and the trip was an absolute pleasure, which we recommend highly to others.

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Grand Alpine Explorer

25/Jun

PJ Warwickshire

“Great trip, good hotels, great travelling companions and super guide...Ivan Mayers!

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Traditional Glacier Express in Winter

23/Mar

John Tinston

“A full week with fabulous views!

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Classic Glacier Express at New Year

16/Jan

Clifford Smy

“Great scenery. Kay, our tour manager, was brilliant.

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Classic Glacier Express

1/Jul

Lynne Macpherson

“Great scenery. Everything well organised.

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Mountaintops of Switzerland

24/Jun

Deirdre Conan

“Excellent tour itinerary, with excellent tour manager. Geissbach Hotel, Schwietzerhof Hotel and Pilatus Klum suberb. I would have liked more menu choice at Geissbach.

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Classic Glacier Express at Christmas

6/Jan

Patricia

“The experience was very good but the main food courses and waitress service in the 4* hotel was not what we expected. Katie Leigh our tour guide made up for that disappointment.

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A touch of class

Bernina Express trains typically comprise two or three First and Second class carriages separated by a bar and services carriage at the train's centre. The carriages in both classes are spacious and offer air conditioning, panoramic windows, comfortable seating and an at-seat trolley service providing light refreshments.

Second Class carriages are designed to carry more passengers and are configured with two rows of tables, one each side of the carriage, each of which provides seating for four people.

First Class carriages comprise one row of four-seater tables and one row of double seats. Carrying fewer passengers than Second Class carriages means that First Class passengers enjoy more space and greater legroom and larger, leather-upholstered seats. Fewer seats in First Class also mean that the views from the carriages' larger panoramic windows are less obstructed.

Bernina Express Interior

Frequently Asked Questions

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