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railtour suisse · Individual rail journey

Bernina Express St. Moritz - Tirano - Chur

Alpine rail loop on the Bernina Express from St. Moritz through Tirano to Chur

Illustration of Bernina Express St. Moritz - Tirano - Chur

The Bernina Express St. Moritz to Tirano to Chur journey, operated by railtour suisse, is a 3-day, 2-night individual rail trip across one of Europe's most celebrated scenic routes. You board the Bernina Express in St. Moritz and descend 2,084 metres on the highest Alpine railway in Europe, crossing into Italy and arriving in the Mediterranean town of Tirano. You then return northward to Chur, Switzerland's oldest town. The entire route is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On Day 2, the train traverses the Landwasser Viaduct and the famous open hairpin bend at Bernina Pass, offering views of glaciers and mountain lakes. Accommodation is in 3-star hotels in both St. Moritz and Tirano with breakfast included. This trip suits first-time rail travellers seeking a single-train journey, repeat enthusiasts familiar with this famous line, photographers drawn to the Landwasser Viaduct, and independent explorers who want structure without a guide.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of CHF 358 (USD 446) is based on the Half Fare Travelcard, which requires separate purchase and covers rail travel to and from your home; confirm the base rail fare and travelcard cost with railtour suisse before booking
  • The itinerary does not detail activities or meals beyond breakfast and free time; contact the operator for full meal inclusions and day-by-day schedules
  • St. Moritz and Tirano hotels are rated 3-star; the operator notes other hotel options may be available on request

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: St. Moritz

    Arrival in St. Moritz

    Train journey to St. Moritz. Free time at leisure. St. Moritz is a symbol of style, class and elegance, fascinating charm and beautiful nature. Opportunity for an excursion to the Diavolezza. The Diavolezza aerial cableway brings you even closer to Piz Bernina, the highest mountain in the Eastern Alps, and a fascinating glacier world awaits you. Overnight stay in St. Moritz.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Tirano

    Bernina Express St. Moritz - Tirano (2h15)

    Breakfast at the hotel. Today you travel on the Rhaetian Railway's Bernina Express along the UNESCO World Heritage route. Enjoy an alpine train journey that takes you from the high glaciers of the mountains south to Tirano (Italy). The Bernina Express is the highest railway line across the Alps and connects northern and southern Europe in a spectacular way. You travel over the Bernina Pass and the open hairpin bend at Brusio to Tirano. Overnight stay in Tirano.

  3. Day 3rail

    Bernina Express (4h30) and journey home

    Breakfast at the hotel. Return to Chur with the Bernina Express. From Chur individual return journey.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Bernina Express descends from St. Moritz (2,084 m) over the Bernina Pass and the open hairpin bend, crossing from the high glaciers of the Swiss Alps into Tirano, Italy, on the highest railway line across the Alps
  • Day 2The train traverses the Landwasser Viaduct, one of the most photographed railway structures in the world

Included

  • Train journey in 2nd class from/to domicile, Half Fare Travelcard basis
  • Seat reservation in the Bernina Express
  • 1 night in St. Moritz, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • 1 night in Tirano, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The price includes 2nd-class travel on the Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Tirano and Tirano to Chur, plus travel to and from your domicile on a Swiss Half Fare Travelcard basis (the travelcard is purchased separately)
Is this an escorted or independent trip?
This is an individual rail journey. You travel independently with reserved seats on the Bernina Express; free time is included in St. Moritz, and you return to Chur on your own schedule
What is included in the price?
Seat reservations on the Bernina Express, one night in a 3-star St. Moritz hotel with breakfast, one night in a 3-star Tirano hotel with breakfast, and 2nd-class rail travel from and to your home on a Half Fare Travelcard
Can I stop in other towns along the route?
Yes. Optional stopovers in Chur or Poschiavo are available on request; contact railtour suisse to arrange
What is the Diavolezza excursion?
An optional add-on cable car ride from St. Moritz that ascends toward Piz Bernina and offers views of the glacier world in the Eastern Alps
When does this trip run?
Specific departure dates are not listed in the operator's information; contact railtour suisse for the current departure schedule

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