The Bernina Express
Scenic Swiss-Italian railway crossing the Bernina Pass.
The Bernina Express is a named train in Switzerland operating as a Panorama Express (PE) that connects Chur (Switzerland) and Tirano (Italy) by crossing the Swiss Engadin Alps. For most of its journey, the train runs along the World Heritage Site known as the Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina landscapes. It is operated by the Rhaetian Railway company for sightseeing, offering panoramic coaches with enlarged windows and multilingual audio guides.
- field
- Railway tourism
- nationality
- Swiss/Italian
- known_for
- Scenic route through the Rhaetian Railway World Heritage Site
- route_length
- 196 bridges, 55 tunnels
- gradient
- Up to 7%
Lore & Background
The Bernina Express operates as an enhanced regional service between Tirano and Chur. It is not a high-speed train but an express that stops only at selected stations. The trainset is usually pulled by class RhB ABe 4/4III locomotives. Passengers must make a seat reservation or pay a supplement on regional tickets. The train is popular with tourists and connects in Tirano with a bus service via Lake Como to Lugano, linking to the Gotthard Panorama Express.
Reader's Guide
During summer, the Bernina Express runs as a special separate train from Chur to Pontresina with few stops; in other seasons, its cars are attached to regional services. The train provides multilingual audio guides in English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, and Japanese.
Did You Know?
- The Bernina Express is not a high-speed train but an express that stops only at selected stations.
- The route includes the spiral Brusio Viaduct near the Italian border.
Common Misconceptions (Editorial)
Despite its name, the Bernina Express is not a high-speed train; it is an express that stops only at selected stations and runs on a scenic route through the Rhaetian Railway World Heritage Site. It is not a single dedicated train set, but an enhanced regional service typically pulled by class RhB ABe 4/4III locomotives. Additionally, it is not a Swiss-only service — it connects Chur, Switzerland, with Tirano, Italy, and requires a seat reservation or supplement on regional tickets.
Why It Matters (Editorial)
The Bernina Express matters because it offers one of the most spectacular railway journeys in the Alps, crossing 196 bridges and 55 tunnels without the use of cogwheels, despite gradients of up to 7%. Its enduring appeal lies in making world heritage accessible to travelers, linking Swiss and Italian cultures while preserving the engineering marvel of the Rhaetian Railway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is The Bernina Express?
The Bernina Express is a Swiss-Italian panoramic railway service that links Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy by crossing the Bernina Pass through the Engadin Alps. It is run by the Rhaetian Railway as a dedicated sightseeing train featuring enlarged panoramic windows and multilingual audio commentary.
How does The Bernina Express's story end?
After cresting the pass and descending through gorges and alpine valleys, the train rolls into Tirano, Italy, where the cross-border journey concludes. Passengers step off on the Italian side, having completed a single continuous ride from the Swiss Engadin to the Valtellina.
Why is The Bernina Express important?
It is the flagship scenic experience along the Rhaetian Railway's Albula/Bernina World Heritage corridor, showcasing alpine engineering, dramatic topography, and a full country-crossing in one trip. Its panoramic coaches and guided audio make that heritage route accessible to a global tourist audience.
What are The Bernina Express's signature features?
Fans point to the extra-large panoramic windows, the multilingual audio guide system, and the sheer density of engineering—196 bridges and 55 tunnels packed into a single ride. The extreme elevation change and metre-gauge track give it a reputation as one of Europe's most visually striking rail journeys.
More in Legendary Trains 1-20
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record