Bernina Express Ticket Prices From Tirano to St Moritz in 2026
The Bernina Express from Tirano to St Moritz is one of the most spectacular train rides in the world, and the good news is that it remains relatively affordable compared to other premium rail experiences in Switzerland. In 2026, a standard second-class ticket on the Bernina Express for this route costs approximately CHF 52 to CHF 65, depending on when you book and what promotions are available. A first-class ticket typically runs between CHF 90 and CHF 110 for the same journey.
On top of the base fare, Rhaetian Railway charges a mandatory panoramic car reservation fee of around CHF 14 for second class and CHF 16 for first class. This reservation is required specifically for the Bernina Express branded service, which uses the distinctive panoramic carriages with large curved windows designed to maximise views. Without the reservation, you can still ride the regular regional train on the same route at a lower total cost, though you will miss out on the dedicated panoramic cars.
If you hold a Swiss Travel Pass or Eurail Pass, the base fare is covered, but you still need to pay the reservation surcharge. For travellers already touring Switzerland by rail, this makes the Bernina Express genuinely excellent value. Children under 16 travel free when accompanied by a pass-holding adult, which is worth factoring into family trip planning. Prices tend to be slightly higher during peak summer months, July and August in particular, so booking at least four to six weeks in advance is a practical way to secure both your preferred seat and the best available rate.
If you are coming from Italy and want a seamlessly organised experience that includes the journey and local guidance, the Bernina Red Train day trip from Milan is a popular option that packages the essentials into a single, straightforward booking.
What You Get for the Price: The Tirano to St Moritz Journey
The route from Tirano in northern Italy to St Moritz in the Swiss Engadin valley covers roughly 61 kilometres and takes about two and a half hours. That might sound short, but the train climbs more than 1,800 metres in altitude without a single tunnel or rack system, which is part of why this line earned UNESCO World Heritage status. The engineering alone is worth the ticket price.
Along the way, the train crosses the famous Brusio spiral viaduct, curves across the Bernina Pass at 2,253 metres above sea level, and skirts the edge of the Morteratsch Glacier. Seats on the right side of the train travelling northbound from Tirano offer the best glacier views, so it is worth requesting those when making your reservation. The panoramic windows reach up into the roof of the carriage, giving you an unobstructed angle on the mountain scenery that a standard train window simply cannot match.
First class offers wider seats and slightly more legroom, which is appreciated on a journey where you will spend most of the time leaning toward the window anyway. Second class is perfectly comfortable and the views are identical. For travellers who want a more personalised experience on this route, a Bernina Train private tour from Milan or St Moritz offers flexibility and expert commentary that a standard ticket does not include.
The Bernina Express connects directly with other major Swiss rail routes at St Moritz, including services toward Chur and onward connections across the country. Travellers planning a broader Swiss rail itinerary might also consider combining this journey with the Swiss Alps train tour from Zurich with the Glacier Express, which links the Engadin valley with Zermatt and covers an entirely different but equally dramatic slice of the Alps.
