1Stop 01Chur
593mHistoric town with a charming old town and rich cultural heritage.
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Route 02
Bernina Express
UNESCO World Heritage Railway
© Kabelleger / David Gubler (bahnbilder.ch) — CC BY-SA 3.0
Overview
The Bernina Express is a UNESCO World Heritage train journey from Chur through the Swiss Alps to Tirano, Italy. The route crosses 196 bridges and 55 tunnels, climbing from 585m to the Bernina Pass at 2,253m before descending to 429m in Tirano. Watch the landscape transform from glaciers and Alpine lakes to Mediterranean palm trees and vineyards in just four hours.
Duration4 hours
Distance122 km
Stops13 stations
Best SeasonYear-round
Route & stations
Each numbered stop on the line — tap a card to explore the destination.
1Stop 01
2Stop 02Thusis
720mGateway to the Via Mala gorge and starting point for mountain excursions.
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3Stop 03Tiefencastel
851mMountain village at the confluence of the Albula and Julia rivers.
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4Stop 04Filisur
1,080mVillage nestled in the Alps, known for its stunning viaducts.
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5Stop 05St. Moritz
1,856mLuxury alpine resort known for winter sports and stunning lake views.
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6Stop 06Pontresina
1,774mAlpine resort town near St. Moritz with stunning mountain scenery.
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7Stop 07Bernina Diavolezza
2,093mHigh-altitude ski resort with panoramic glacier views and year-round cable car access
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8Stop 08Ospizio Bernina
2,253mMountain station at Bernina Pass with alpine lakes and the highest railway station on the route
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9Stop 09Alp Grüm
2,091mRemote mountain station with spectacular views down to Val Poschiavo and Palü Glacier
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10Stop 10Poschiavo
1,014mItalian-speaking Swiss town with baroque churches, historic center, and Mediterranean atmosphere
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11Stop 11Le Prese
965mPeaceful lakeside village on Lago di Poschiavo with beaches and mountain views
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12Stop 12Tirano
429mAlpine town with pilgrimage sanctuary, terraced Nebbiolo vineyards.
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Route map
Click any marker to see the station name and elevation.
Journey highlights
Landwasser Viaduct
Iconic 65m high stone arched bridge — one of Switzerland's engineering landmarks
Bernina Pass (2,253m)
The highest altitude railway crossing in the Alps, open year-round
Brusio Circular Viaduct
A unique helical viaduct that spirals to manage the steep descent
Swiss–Italian border
The only train to cross from Alpine glaciers to Italian vineyards without a tunnel
Travel tips
- 01Book panoramic coach seats in advance, especially in summer and December
- 02Sit on the right side when traveling south from Chur for the best views
- 03The journey is spectacular in all seasons — snow-capped peaks in winter, wildflowers in summer
- 04Stop in Tirano for authentic Italian cuisine before returning or continuing by coach to Lugano
- 05Swiss Travel Pass covers the route; a seat reservation fee applies