Bernina Express: Alpine drama from Chur to Tirano

The overall verdict

Public feedback presents the Bernina Express as far more than transport between Switzerland and Italy. With a Google rating of 4.7 from 4851 reviews, it earns particularly strong praise for the scale and variety of its scenery. Travellers repeatedly describe snow-covered peaks, glaciers, Alpine valleys, rivers and the dramatic transition toward the warmer Italian landscape.

The journey from Chur to Tirano is a full-day experience, with the view changing steadily rather than relying on one standout moment. Reviews describe the landscape as a sequence of moving postcards, shifting from green valleys and fast-flowing water to high-altitude snowfields. Winter passengers report a markedly different atmosphere, with the route resembling a snow-covered wonderland.

Scenery and railway engineering

The panoramic windows are central to the experience. They provide broad views of the Alps and make the changing terrain easier to follow from the carriage. Glaciers and mountain summits command attention, but reviewers are just as impressed by the railway itself.

Stone viaducts, bridges and steep gradients show how ambitiously the line was built. Several accounts pair praise for the natural landscape with admiration for the infrastructure, particularly as the train climbs through difficult mountain terrain. The passage through the UNESCO World Heritage railway landscape adds historical and engineering interest to what could otherwise be treated simply as a sightseeing ride.

Alp Grüm is one of the specific stops mentioned by travellers. It offers another opportunity to appreciate the high-mountain setting before the train continues toward Tirano. Those taking the shorter St Moritz to Tirano section still report an intensely scenic trip, with one review describing a journey of around 2.5 hours. The complete departure from Chur requires a larger time commitment.

Planning the journey

Advance online booking is the clearest practical recommendation in the reviews. One traveller booked several weeks ahead to secure tickets and seats, while another reported frustration with fellow passengers occupying reserved places. Keeping reservation details accessible may help if seating confusion occurs.

The train suits travellers who want an extended scenic experience without committing to the much longer Glacier Express journey referenced in the feedback. It also works well for photographers, railway enthusiasts and visitors who prefer seeing several distinct Alpine environments in one continuous trip.

May receives positive feedback for combining lush valleys with snow still visible on the upper mountains. Winter brings deeper snow and a more monochrome Alpine setting. Neither is presented as universally better, so the choice depends on whether passengers favour green landscapes or a stronger winter atmosphere.

What stands out

The strongest pattern is the contrast packed into a single journey. Reviews repeatedly return to the shift between glaciers, snowy peaks, valleys and the Italian landscape. That variety, combined with panoramic viewing and remarkable railway construction, explains the consistently enthusiastic response.

The main weakness raised is not the route itself but carriage etiquette. Reserved-seat disputes can detract from an otherwise highly praised experience. For most reviewers, however, the scenery and engineering comfortably outweigh that concern.