The Bernina Express from Tirano to St. Moritz is a 2.5-hour panoramic train ride through the Swiss Alps on a UNESCO World Heritage route. It climbs to 2,253 meters, crosses the Bernina Pass, and passes glaciers, alpine lakes, and the famous Brusio Spiral Viaduct, all without cogwheel assistance.
Here’s everything you need to book your ticket.
Ticket Prices (2026)
The Bernina Express requires two things: a train ticket and a mandatory seat reservation. They are separate purchases.
Train ticket (Tirano → St. Moritz):
- 2nd class: from CHF 66 (≈ USD 75)
- 1st class: from CHF 118 (≈ USD 133)
- With Swiss Half Fare Card: half price on the ticket
Seat reservation (mandatory, all classes):
- CHF 32 per person, each way (short route Tirano–St. Moritz)
- The reservation includes a Lindt chocolate souvenir box and herbal iced tea
If you hold a Swiss Travel Pass: the train ticket is fully covered, you only pay the CHF 32 reservation fee.
Prices may vary based on demand and season. Always confirm the final price at checkout.
👉 Book your Bernina Express ticket on Rail Europe When selecting your train, look for “Bernina Express” in the train name. Regular regional trains on the same route are cheaper but don’t include panoramic cars.
Departures from Tirano (2026 Schedule)
Summer (May–October) — up to 3 daily departures:
- Train 970: 09:10 → arrives St. Moritz 11:45 (winter only)
- Train 972: 10:06 → arrives St. Moritz 12:35 (year-round)
- Train 974: 13:17 → arrives St. Moritz 15:45 (summer only)
- Train 976: 16:06 → arrives St. Moritz 18:25 (summer only)
Winter (December–April): reduced schedule, typically 1–2 daily services. Check exact dates on rhb.ch.
Arrive at the Rhaetian Railway station in Tirano at least 30 minutes before departure. It’s located right next to the Italian Trenitalia station.
Best Seat Side
Heading north from Tirano to St. Moritz, sit on the left side for the best views of Lago Bianco and the Palü Glacier. Both sides offer panoramic windows, so you won’t miss much either way. If you’re traveling as a couple, sit across from each other, one on each side, so you both get window views.
Quick Booking Tips
- Book early for summer. Panoramic cars sell out weeks in advance, especially June through September.
- Bernina Express vs. Red Train: the same route is served by regular regional trains (called “Bernina Red Train”) that run hourly, cost less, don’t require reservations, and have opening windows, great for photography. The Bernina Express has panoramic glass cars and mandatory reservations.
- Luggage: there’s no dedicated luggage car, but overhead racks and end-of-car spaces handle standard suitcases.
- Border crossing: bring your passport or EU ID. If traveling with a pet, carry the EU pet passport.
👉 Book your Bernina Express ticket on Rail Europe
Staying in Milan? There’s an Easier Option
If you’re based in Milan and don’t want to arrange the trip to Tirano on your own, a full-day guided tour handles everything: round-trip coach from central Milan, scenic drive past Lake Como, free time in St. Moritz, and the train ride back through the Alps.
From Milan: St. Moritz and Panoramic Bernina Express Tour
- 13-hour day trip departing from Piazza della Repubblica, Milan
- English-speaking assistant on board
- 2nd class panoramic Bernina Express ticket included (the real panoramic cars, not the regional train)
- 2 hours of free time in St. Moritz for shopping and lunch
- Round-trip coach transfer with coffee stop along the way
- From $170 per person
This tour rides the actual Bernina Express in panoramic carriages, the same ticket you’d book independently, but with Milan transfers and logistics handled for you. Best for summer trips when daylight lasts through the full train ride.
👉 Check availability and book on Viator
Prices and schedules are based on 2026 published information and may change. Always verify at the time of booking.
