Bernina Express Holidays

Beyond the Day Trip

The Bernina Express is extraordinary, but treating it as a quick day trip misses the bigger opportunity. The region surrounding this UNESCO railway—from glamorous St. Moritz to the Italian lakeside towns—offers some of Europe's finest mountain experiences.

I've spent extended periods exploring this area and have crafted itineraries that maximize the Bernina Express within broader Alpine holidays. Whether you have three days or a week, these suggestions will help you plan an unforgettable trip.

3-Day Classic Itinerary

Best for: First-time visitors who want the Bernina Express plus St. Moritz highlights.

Day 1: Arrive in St. Moritz

• Morning/Afternoon: Travel from Zürich to St. Moritz (3.5 hours via Chur)
• Late Afternoon: Walk around St. Moritz lake, explore the town center
• Evening: Dinner in St. Moritz—ranges from casual pizza to Michelin-starred options
• Stay: St. Moritz (1 night)

Day 2: Bernina Express to Tirano

• Morning: Board the Bernina Express (early departure for best light)
• Journey: 2.5 hours through the most spectacular Alpine scenery
• Lunch: Italian cuisine in Tirano
• Afternoon: Explore Tirano, visit the Sanctuary, or take the train to Lake Como for a few hours
• Evening: Return to St. Moritz on afternoon Bernina Express or stay overnight in Tirano
• Stay: St. Moritz or Tirano

Day 3: Departure or Extension

• Option A: Morning in St. Moritz, afternoon train back to Zürich
• Option B: From Tirano, train to Milan for flight home or continue Italy exploration

5-Day Grand Tour

Best for: Those wanting to combine Bernina Express with the Glacier Express and experience both iconic Swiss train journeys.

Day 1: Zürich to Zermatt

• Train from Zürich to Zermatt (3.5 hours, scenic route)
• Evening walk through car-free Zermatt, views of the Matterhorn
• Stay: Zermatt

Day 2: Glacier Express (Zermatt → St. Moritz)

• Full-day Glacier Express journey (8 hours)
• Cross the Oberalp Pass, Rhine Gorge, and Landwasser Viaduct
• Lunch on board (reservable dining service)
• Stay: St. Moritz

Day 3: St. Moritz Exploration

• Morning: Muottas Muragl funicular for panoramic views
• Afternoon: Lake walk, town exploration, or spa visit
• Evening: Engadin cuisine at a local restaurant
• Stay: St. Moritz

Day 4: Bernina Express to Tirano

• Morning departure on the Bernina Express
• Lunch in Tirano
• Afternoon: Bernina Express Bus to Lugano (summer) OR train to Milan
• Stay: Lugano or Milan

Day 5: Departure

• Morning exploration of Lugano lakefront or Milan
• Afternoon: Flight home from Milano Malpensa or Zürich (train from Lugano: 3 hours)

7-Day Alpine Explorer

Best for: Nature lovers who want hiking, glaciers, and authentic mountain culture alongside the train experiences.

Day 1: Arrival in Chur

• Fly into Zürich, train to Chur (1h15m)
• Explore Switzerland's oldest city
• Stay: Chur

Day 2: Chur to Pontresina

• Morning Bernina Express or regional train via Albula Line
• Cross the Landwasser Viaduct and spiral tunnels
• Afternoon: Settle into Pontresina, evening walk
• Stay: Pontresina (3 nights)

Day 3: Morteratsch Glacier Hike

• Train to Morteratsch station
• Hike to the glacier snout (2 hours round trip, easy)
• Afternoon: Rest or explore Pontresina village
• Stay: Pontresina

Day 4: Diavolezza Day

• Train to Bernina Diavolezza, cable car to 2,973m
• Views of Piz Bernina, Piz Palü, and surrounding glaciers
• Optional: Glacier hike with guide (requires equipment)
• Stay: Pontresina

Day 5: Bernina Express to Tirano

• Panoramic journey south
• Lunch in Tirano, explore the town
• Stay: Tirano (1 night)

Day 6: Lake Como

• Train from Tirano along the lake to Varenna or Bellagio
• Ferry ride across the lake, lunch with views
• Evening: Continue to Milan
• Stay: Milan

Day 7: Milan and Departure

• Morning: Milan Duomo, quick city exploration
• Afternoon: Flight home

Winter Holiday Option

Best for: Combining the Bernina Express with skiing or winter scenery.

The Bernina Express operates year-round, and winter transforms the route into a snow-covered wonderland. Consider this alternative:

5-Day Winter Itinerary

• Days 1-2: Fly to Zürich, train to St. Moritz. Ski or snowboard at Corviglia, one of Switzerland's most famous ski areas.
• Day 3: Rest day. Take the Bernina Express to Tirano (now surrounded by snow at higher elevations, palm trees at the bottom). Return same day.
• Day 4: More skiing, or visit the frozen lake of St. Moritz for ice activities.
• Day 5: Depart via Zürich.

Combining with Other Swiss Scenic Routes

Switzerland's railway network offers several world-class scenic journeys. Here's how they connect with the Bernina Express:

Glacier Express

• Route: St. Moritz – Zermatt (8 hours)
• Connection: Shares St. Moritz as a terminus
• Combination: Ride the Bernina Express one day, Glacier Express the next

GoldenPass Line

• Route: Lucerne – Interlaken – Montreux
• Connection: Accessible from Chur via Zürich
• Combination: Bernina Express → Zürich → GoldenPass for a grand Swiss train tour

Gotthard Panorama Express

• Route: Lucerne – Lugano (train + boat)
• Connection: Lugano connects to Tirano via the Bernina Express Bus
• Combination: Create a circular route through central and eastern Switzerland

Practical Planning Tips

Swiss Travel Pass

For multi-day holidays involving significant train travel, the Swiss Travel Pass often makes financial sense. It covers:

• Unlimited Swiss train travel (including Bernina Express fare—reservation supplement extra)
• Free entry to 500+ museums
• Discounts on mountain excursions
• Available in 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 consecutive day versions

Booking Timeline

• 3+ months ahead: Book flights and accommodation in peak season
• 1-2 months ahead: Reserve Bernina Express seats (mandatory reservation)
• 2 weeks ahead: Book mountain excursions, restaurant reservations

Best Seasons

• Summer (June-August): Best weather, most services running, highest prices and crowds
• Shoulder (May, September-October): Good weather, fewer tourists, better value
• Winter (December-March): Snow scenery, skiing options, some services reduced

Sample Budget Breakdown

Rough costs for a 5-day trip (per person, moderate budget):

Switzerland is expensive—budget accordingly. Costs can be reduced by staying in smaller towns, self-catering some meals, and traveling in shoulder season.