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Classic Bernina Express from London

London to Chur via Zurich with a Bernina Express day

Illustration of Classic Bernina Express from London

Railbookers' Classic Bernina Express from London is a 5-day independent rail tour that begins with a direct Eurostar from London to Zurich and ends in Chur, Switzerland's oldest city. Day 1 leaves the afternoon free to explore cosmopolitan Zurich, and Day 2 brings a half-day sightseeing tour with a cable car ride up to Felsenegg and a return ferry across Lake Zurich, alongside time in the old town's Baroque Jesuit church and medieval Chapel Bridge. Day 3 continues by train to Chur, where you can wander the Old Town and visit the Cathedral of the Assumption. The trip's centerpiece is Day 4's roundtrip on the Bernina Express to Tirano via St Moritz, climbing the 7,400 foot Bernina Pass across spectacular viaducts and switch-back tunnels before returning to Chur. A three-day Swiss Pass covers rail travel throughout. This suits first-time rail travelers departing from the UK who want the Bernina Express's Alpine scenery paired with Zurich city time, without a full escort.

What to know before you look closer

  • The hotel list offers 15 accommodation options across tiers and cities, described as choices rather than consecutive stays, from London's Crowne Plaza Kings Cross to Zurich's Baur Au Lac; the final property depends on the tier and city you choose.
  • Day 5 ends with checkout and onward travel handled independently using your Swiss Pass; the itinerary does not specify a route beyond Chur, so plan your own connection.
  • The operator publishes no departure dates in the available materials; confirm current departures with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    London to Zurich

    Take a direct Eurostar from London to Zurich. On arrival, check in at your hotel for a two-night stay and spend the afternoon exploring this cosmopolitan, elegant city.

  2. Day 2overnight: Zurich

    Zurich

    Explore the old town's classical Swiss architecture, including the Baroque Jesuit church and the medieval Chapel Bridge. In the afternoon embark on a half day sightseeing tour, ride the cable car up to Felsenegg, and return via a ferry ride on Lake Zurich.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Chur

    Zurich to Chur

    Travel by train to Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland. Enjoy wandering around the Old Town or visit the Cathedral of the Assumption.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Chur

    Bernina Express

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

  5. Day 5

    Depart Chur

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

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1A direct Eurostar journey from London to Zurich, followed by an afternoon exploring the cosmopolitan city.
  • Day 2A cable car ride up to Felsenegg and a return ferry ride on Lake Zurich, part of a half-day sightseeing tour.
  • Day 3A train to Chur, Switzerland's oldest city, to wander the Old Town and visit the Cathedral of the Assumption.
  • Day 4The Bernina Express climbs the 7,400 foot Bernina Pass from Chur to Tirano via St Moritz, crossing spectacular viaducts and switch-back tunnels.

Included

  • Rail travel throughout as per itinerary
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Zurich
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Chur
  • City Tour including Cable-car ride and lake cruise in Zurich
  • Three-day Swiss Pass
  • Bernina Express roundtrip tickets from Chur to Tirano

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes a direct Eurostar from London to Zurich, train travel from Zurich to Chur, a three-day Swiss Pass, and roundtrip Bernina Express tickets from Chur to Tirano.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is independent, with one included half-day Zurich city tour featuring a cable car ride and lake cruise; other sightseeing, including Chur's Old Town, is at your own pace.
What hotels are included?
2 nights with breakfast in Zurich and 2 nights with breakfast in Chur, drawn from a list of 15 accommodation options across tiers and cities, including the Baur Au Lac in Zurich.
Does the Bernina Express run round trip in a single day?
Yes. On Day 4, the Bernina Express travels from Chur to Tirano via St Moritz, with lunch in Tirano or Poschiavo, before returning to Chur the same day.
How does the trip start and end?
It starts with a direct Eurostar from London to Zurich on Day 1 and ends in Chur on Day 5, when you check out and continue your travels using the included Swiss Pass.

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