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Classic Bernina Express

Chur to Zurich with a round-trip Bernina Express day through the Alps

Illustration of Classic Bernina Express

Railbookers' Classic Bernina Express is a 6-day independent rail tour through Switzerland that begins in Chur, the country's oldest city, and ends in Zurich. Day 1 is free to wander Chur's Old Town and visit the Cathedral of the Assumption before Day 2's highlight: a roundtrip on the Bernina Express to Tirano via St Moritz, climbing the 7,400 foot Bernina Pass across spectacular viaducts, rock gorges, and switch-back tunnels. Day 3 continues by train to Zurich for a two-night stay, where Day 4 brings a small group city tour of the Grossmünster and Bahnhofstrasse, a Lake Zurich cruise, and a stop at the Chocolate Museum. A three-day Swiss Pass covers rail travel throughout. The available itinerary does not describe Day 5, so travelers should confirm that day's plan directly with Railbookers. This suits first-time rail travelers who want the Bernina Express's famous Alpine scenery bundled with Swiss city time, without a full escort.

What to know before you look closer

  • The operator's itinerary materials have no entry for Day 5 of this 6-day package; the day's activities are not described, so confirm the full day-by-day plan with Railbookers before booking.
  • Multiple named hotels are listed per city without the itinerary specifying a default, ranging from Hotel ABC in Chur to the Baur Au Lac and Park Hyatt in Zurich; the final accommodation likely depends on the tier and room type booked.
  • The operator publishes no departure dates in the available materials; confirm current departures with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Chur

    Your Journey Begins in Chur

    Welcome to Chur! The oldest city in Switzerland, Chur is situated in a deep valley formed by the Rhine. Enjoy wandering around the Old Town or visit the Cathedral of the Assumption.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Chur

    The Bernina Express

    After an early breakfast, depart from Chur on the Bernina Express to Tirano via St Moritz. Ride over spectacular viaducts, through sheer rock gorges and switch-back tunnels. Climb the 7,400 feet high Bernina Pass. Enjoy lunch in Tirano or stop in Poschiavo before returning to Chur.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Zurich

    Chur to Zurich

    Leave Chur in the morning and travel by train to picturesque Zurich. Check in at your hotel for a two-night stay and spend the afternoon exploring this cosmopolitan city.

  4. Day 4overnight: Zurich

    Zurich

    Embark on a captivating Zurich city tour, visiting the Grossmünster and the vibrant Bahnhofstrasse. Cruise along Lake Zurich and visit the Zurich Chocolate Museum.

  5. Day 6

    Your Journey Ends in Zurich

    After breakfast this morning, check out of your hotel and continue with your travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Exploring Chur's Old Town, Switzerland's oldest city, and the Cathedral of the Assumption.
  • Day 2The Bernina Express climbs the 7,400 foot Bernina Pass from Chur to Tirano via St Moritz, crossing spectacular viaducts and switch-back tunnels.
  • Day 3A train journey from Chur to the cosmopolitan city of Zurich, checking in for a two-night stay.
  • Day 4A small group Zurich city tour visiting the Grossmünster and Bahnhofstrasse, with a cruise on Lake Zurich and a stop at the Zurich Chocolate Museum.

Included

  • Rail travel as specified in itinerary
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Chur
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Zurich
  • Three-day Swiss Pass
  • Bernina Express roundtrip tickets from Chur to Tirano
  • Small Group Zurich City Tour with Lake Cruise

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes a three-day Swiss Pass, roundtrip Bernina Express tickets from Chur to Tirano, and the train journey from Chur to Zurich.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is mostly independent, with one included Small Group Zurich City Tour with a Lake Cruise; other sightseeing, such as exploring Chur's Old Town, is at your own pace.
What hotels are included?
2 nights with breakfast in Chur and 2 nights with breakfast in Zurich, drawn from a list of named hotels including Hotel Stern Chur, the Baur Au Lac, and Park Hyatt Zurich.
Does the Bernina Express run round trip in a single day?
Yes. On Day 2, the Bernina Express travels from Chur to Tirano via St Moritz, with lunch or a stop in Poschiavo, before returning to Chur the same day.
Is the full itinerary described?
Not entirely. The operator's materials skip Day 5 of this 6-day package, so confirm that day's plan with Railbookers before booking.

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