Several Swiss train routes are regularly referenced for their breathtaking scenery, but only one was recently named the most beautiful in Europe<\/a>: the Bernina Express<\/a>. Spanning 76 miles, the Bernina Express departs Switzerland\u2019s oldest town, heads up the Bernina Pass, and brings passengers across the border to Italy.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe landscapes you see from the Bernina Express change more than those seen from most scenic railways. It feels less like one train journey and more like traveling through several completely different Alpine regions in a single day,\u201d Oliver Corkhill, CEO of luxury travel company Leo Trippi<\/a>, tells Travel + Leisure. \u201cYou start in Chur\u2026 and journey through mountain passes and past glaciers before descending toward the much softer Italian landscapes around Poschiavo and Tirano.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s an immersive journey that follows the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhaetian Railway and brings you through villages, past architecturally significant sites, over nearly 196 bridges, and through 55 tunnels.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what you need to know before planning a trip on the Bernina Express.<\/p>\n Best Time to Ride The Bernina Express going through snowy mountains.Credit: Evgeniya Vlasova\/Travel + Leisure<\/p>\n Corkhill shares that \u201cthere is an argument for riding the Bernina Express during every season,\u201d but winter provides a stunning, \u201cdramatic\u201d landscape. \u201cThe frozen lakes, snow-covered forests, glaciers, and high mountain passes give it a sense of wonder and remoteness the other seasons can\u2019t match,\u201d he says. \u201cThere is also the contrast that evolves throughout the day, because you can leave a very wintry Engadin and arrive in Poschiavo or Tirano in something considerably milder. This change is more pronounced in winter than at any other time of year.\u201d<\/p>\n Just keep in mind that timetables change by the season, with fewer trains running in the winter, so you\u2019ll want to plan your trip accordingly.<\/p>\n Know Before You Go A view of the landscape from inside the Bernina Express.Credit: Estera\/Adobe Stock<\/p>\n Your fare aboard the Bernina Express is covered by my favorite Switzerland travel \u201chack,\u201d the Swiss Travel Pass, which lets you travel by train, boat, and bus throughout the country. Otherwise, first-class and second-class return tickets will run you about $279 and $162 USD, respectively. No matter how you handle your fare, you\u2019ll need to reserve a seat; this can be done online, by phone, or at a ticket office. The seat reservation costs between $50 and $55, depending on the season. And don\u2019t stress about which seat you choose.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe best views shift throughout the journey, so what you miss on one side you pick up on the other fairly quickly. For two people, sitting opposite each other works well,\u201d says Corkhill.<\/p>\n You can certainly do the Bernina Express as a day trip, but don\u2019t forget to bring the proper gear\u2014namely, a fully charged phone or camera and the right clothing. \u201cAnother piece of advice is to bring proper layers during winter,\u201d Corkhill adds. \u201cMost of the journey is indoors, but if you are stopping at any of the higher stations, the temperature at the top of the pass can be completely different from those lower down.\u201d<\/p>\n Stops Along the Route A view of the landscape from inside the Bernina Express.Credit: Estera\/Adobe Stock<\/p>\n The Bernina Express is the epitome of slow travel<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cPeople are\u2026 surprised by its pace\u2014it\u2019s lower and more immersive than people may expect, so you have time to properly appreciate the changes in altitude, scenery and climate,\u201d says Corkhill.\u00a0<\/p>\n But this is not a hop-on, hop-off experience.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly, anyone planning to stop at several points will probably find the regular regional trains more practical than travelling the full route on the Bernina Express,\u201d says Corkhill. Still, the stops below offer a glimpse of the landscapes and towns that make this route so memorable.<\/p>\n Not far from Chur is St. Moritz, the glitzy Alpine resort town best known for its grand hotels (like Kulm<\/a> and Badrutt\u2019s Palace<\/a>) and winter tourism. You can also board here for the \u201cshort route\u201d of the Bernina Express, which takes about two hours and 15 minutes.<\/p>\n From there, the Bernina Express brings passengers to the Diavolezza and Alp Gr\u00fcm. \u201cAlp Gr\u00fcm is probably the most dramatic stop. It boasts views toward the Pal\u00fc Glacier and down into Val Poschiavo and, in winter, it feels as remote as this railway gets,\u201d says Corkhill. \u201cThe Diavolezza is the best for high-Alpine scenery and mountain access, making it a natural choice for anyone combining the Bernina journey with skiing or a winter stay in the Engadin.\u201d<\/p>\n Further south, the train stops in Poschiavo. \u201cPoschiavo has the strongest cultural draw on the route with very attractive architecture and excellent local food. It has a distinctly Italian feel and is not overly touristy,\u201d Corkhill says, calling it the \u201cbest all-round choice\u201d for travelers who want to experience local culture, food, and outdoor activities. \u201cIt\u2019s a lovely place to walk around, stop for lunch, and enjoy local cheeses, cured meats and regional dishes,\u201d he says.\u00a0<\/p>\n After stopping in Poschiavo, the train crosses the famous Brusio Spiral Viaduct<\/a>, a structure known for its nine stone arches and 360-degree spiral. \u201cThe Brusio Spiral Viaduct is one of the most remarkable pieces of railway infrastructure in the Alps, but the railway never feels like it is imposed on the landscape\u2014it feels completely integrated into it,\u201d says Corkhill. \u201cYou could walk away thinking it had always been there, and this integration sets it apart from most scenic routes.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/193570d0-1cfc-4415-b7bb-78a45876c664.jpg\"\/)
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