Bernina Express First Class Ticket Prices in 2026
The Bernina Express runs between Chur or St. Moritz in Switzerland and Tirano in Italy, crossing the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway through some of the most dramatic Alpine scenery on the continent. For 2026, a First Class panoramic seat on the full Chur to Tirano route typically costs between CHF 130 and CHF 160 per person, depending on the season and how far in advance you book. The St. Moritz to Tirano segment, which is shorter but covers the most iconic section of the route including the Brusio spiral viaduct and the Bernina Pass, runs roughly CHF 55 to CHF 80 in First Class.
These prices cover the seat reservation and the panoramic car upgrade. You still need a valid rail ticket or pass on top of that. If you hold a Swiss Travel Pass, the train journey itself is included, and you only pay the panoramic car reservation fee, which sits around CHF 22 to CHF 36 depending on the route length. Eurail pass holders get a similar deal but pay a slightly higher reservation fee.
Prices rise in peak summer months, particularly July and August, and again around Christmas and New Year when the snow-covered landscape draws heavy demand. Booking at least three to four weeks ahead is a practical move. Tickets go on sale through the Rhaetian Railway website and Swiss Federal Railways. If you prefer a guided experience with logistics handled for you, a Bernina Train private tour from Milan or St. Moritz can be a smart alternative, especially if you want flexibility on stops and commentary along the way.
Is First Class on the Bernina Express Worth the Extra Cost?
The honest answer is yes, with some caveats. The panoramic cars on the Bernina Express feature floor-to-ceiling windows that curve up into the ceiling, giving you unobstructed views of glaciers, mountain lakes, and stone viaducts without the reflections and glare you get on standard cars. Seats are wider, there is more legroom, and the cars tend to feel less crowded, which matters a lot on a four-hour journey.
That said, the real difference is in the window design. Standard Second Class cars on the Bernina Express are not uncomfortable, but the panoramic glass in First Class genuinely changes what you can photograph and how immersive the experience feels when you are crossing the Morteratsch Glacier or looking down into the Poschiavo Valley.
One practical tip: sit on the left side of the train when traveling from St. Moritz to Tirano for the best views of the glacier and the valley descents. If you are coming from Milan and planning a day trip, a Bernina Red Train day trip from Milan gives you a structured option that covers the logistics without requiring you to piece together cross-border tickets yourself.
For travelers already exploring Switzerland by rail, pairing the Bernina Express with another iconic route makes good sense. The Swiss Alps train tour from Zurich with the Glacier Express is a popular combination that covers two of Switzerland’s most celebrated scenic railways in a single trip. Between the two routes, you get a full picture of what Alpine rail travel looks like at its best.
