Miramonti Park Hotel: Welcome to Bormio! From here, you can directly reach the Bernina Express, where a spectacular and relaxing journey through the mountains awaits you.
The Bernina Express travels along a famous railway line that connects Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy.
The train crosses the Alpine mountain landscape, including the Bernina Pass.
At approximately 2,328 meters above sea level, this is one of the highest mountain passes with a continuous road connection.
The Bernina Express therefore offers a unique experience that combines picturesque landscapes with impressive technology.
The breathtaking views alone make it worth traveling on the Bernina Express at least once in a lifetime.

Route from Bormio

From Bormio, there are two well-positioned starting points for the Bernina Express that can be reached easily:
1. Tirano: This town is about half an hour from Bormio and is easily accessible by car or bus. Tirano is the most frequent departure or arrival point of the route and is therefore perfect.
Here you will find plenty of free parking directly at the railway station.
2. Moritz: This important Bernina Express stop is located in Switzerland and can be reached by car or with a combination of bus and train.
It takes a bit longer, but then you have the chance to enjoy the train ride from St. Moritz to Tirano.

The Bernina Express Route

1. Departure point: Tirano: The journey begins in Tirano, a small Italian town known for its beautiful historic center and for the Basilica Madonna di Tirano, a religious building.
2. Brusio Circular Viaduct: Shortly afterward, the train crosses the famous Brusio Circular Viaduct. This spiral structure was designed to overcome the difference in altitude simply and quickly.
3. Ascent to the Bernina Pass: The route continues northward and steadily climbs, effortlessly reaching one of the highest points of a railway line in Europe.
4. Alp Grüm: The next noteworthy stop is Alp Grüm. This station offers a breathtaking view of the Poschiavo Valley and the Palü Glacier, and it is the ideal place to take photos of the surrounding landscape. In the vicinity, there are also excellent trails for exploring nature on foot.
5. Lago Bianco and Ospizio Bernina: The express continues up to the natural basin of Lago Bianco, surrounded by a stunning panorama. The distinctive feature of this lake is the changing color of the water, which depends on the season and the weather. Next comes the highest point of the journey, Ospizio Bernina, from which you can enjoy a splendid view.
6. Descent into the Engadin: To admire the wonderful views of pristine alpine landscapes on the way to the Engadin, the route now descends.
7. Pontresina and Samedan: The train now stops in two characteristic Engadin towns: Pontresina and Samedan. Pontresina is known for its hiking trails and for the particularly beautiful architecture of its houses. Samedan, on the other hand, has a charming historic center.
8. Moritz: Shortly before the finish line, you reach the famous town of St. Moritz. Winter sports and luxury are very popular here. The town also has thermal baths and a historical background, which means it has a large historic center as well.
9. Chur: Finally, the journey ends in Chur, in Switzerland. This ancient city will captivate you with its picturesque historic center.

It is also recommended to try one of the many restaurants.
For the entire trip from Tirano to Chur—which offers splendid and varied views of the alpine landscape, mountains, forests, glaciers, and traditional towns—you should allow about 4 hours and 30 minutes.

The Bernina Express normally goes from Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy, but it’s often possible to travel from St.
It is also possible to choose to cover just part of the journey, meaning you only travel on the desired portion rather than the entire route.

Tickets

Tickets can be easily booked on various websites.
For example, you can buy tickets directly on the website of the Rhaetian Railway.
https://www.treninorosso.it/it https://tickets.rhb.ch/it/ Prices vary depending on the route and class of travel.
Discounts may be available for children and seniors, as well as group rates.
It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance, as they sell out quickly, especially during the high season.

Seasons

The Bernina Express offers a unique experience at any time of the year.
In winter, you can admire the snow-covered mountain landscape, while in summer nature is covered in alpine flora, and you can see the mountains in full bloom.
In spring, the journey is characterized by a blossoming landscape and occasional snowfalls, while in autumn the trip is something very special, as nature takes on reddish and brown tones.
This means that whether you depart in spring, summer, autumn, or winter, you will always have different experiences, yet all characterized by the beauty and uniqueness of the alpine landscape.

Panoramic Carriages

Bernina Express Panoramic Carriages

What makes these carriages special is the large front window, which offers travelers a spectacular view.
The carriages are also equipped with modern facilities and air conditioning.
They are available in both first and second class: First class: Passengers benefit from a lot of space and generous legroom with single and double seats. Also, thanks to the reduced number of passengers per carriage, you can enjoy your journey in complete tranquility. Second class: Double seats with plenty of legroom are available.

Open Panoramic Carriages (in summer)

The unique feature of this type of carriage is the absence of windows.
This means you are right in the midst of nature and can also enjoy the fresh breeze. These carriages are also perfect for taking pictures of the scenery. Note: Sometimes, among the panoramic Express carriages, there are also classic carriages.
However, the carriages vary from time to time, so the presence of open panoramic carriages, for example, is not guaranteed.

The Technology

The technology of the Bernina Express is also admirable, as the train manages to overcome large differences in height without the use of cogwheel technology.
The Bernina Express can handle gradients of up to 7%, which is very high for a railway line. Moreover, the trains and tracks are built in such a way that even the most adverse weather conditions, like heavy snowfall, are not a problem.
Nevertheless, the railway is environmentally friendly, helping protect the particularly sensitive Alpine landscape.

History and Significance

The railway line on which the current Bernina Express operates was built in the early 20th century.
Originally, it was meant to function as a separate railway line but was taken over by the Rhaetian Railway (RhB).
This railway also played an important role during the Second World War, being one of the only routes that allowed a connection between Switzerland and Italy at that time without passing through enemy countries.
Originally built for the transport of goods and passengers, it gradually became a tourist attraction, offering visitors a view of the natural beauty of the Alps.
The Bernina Express was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the Albula Railway in 2008 for its outstanding engineering achievements and its importance for the development of railways in difficult mountainous terrain.
Conclusion Prepare yourself for an unforgettable journey that offers much more than an ordinary train ride.
Depart from Bormio directly on the Bernina Express and experience up close the Alpine scenery and the various attractions along the way: from snow-capped peaks to the Brusio Circular Viaduct. Have a good trip!
Not enough? Check out our suggestions to explore our “Magnifica Terra” from here: Blog Miramonti Bormio