# The Bernina Line from St. Moritz to Tirano, by Bernina Express or Regional Train

The Bernina train from St. Moritz to Tirano over the Ospizio Bernina and the Brusio viaduct: 2 h 15, CHF 35 in second class, regional or Express.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/switzerland/graubunden/engadine/things-to-do/bernina-line · Revisado: 2026-11-11

Dónde: Engadine

The Bernina line has been a World Heritage Site since 2008 and is the most spectacular train ride in the Engadine. The regional train, the one the Italians call the Trenino Rosso, runs the same route several times a day, stops at every station and lets you get off to walk.

### What it is

The Bernina line links St. Moritz with Tirano, in Italy's Valtellina, over 60.7 km of narrow-gauge track. It climbs to the Ospizio Bernina, at 2,253 m, and drops to Tirano's 429 m without a cogwheel, with gradients of up to 7%: it is the highest adhesion railway in the Alps. In a couple of hours you go from glaciers to chestnut trees and vineyards.

Since 7 July 2008 it has been a World Heritage Site together with the Albula line. It is operated by the Rhätische Bahn with two kinds of train on the same track: the panoramic Bernina Express and the regional train.

### What you see from the window

The Bernina valley and Morteratsch: after Pontresina, the train passes the mouth of the Morteratsch valley, where the glacier trail begins, and the Diavolezza station.

Ospizio Bernina and Lago Bianco: the highest point, among lakes and glaciers, in an almost treeless landscape.

Alp Grüm (2,091 m): the station perched above the Poschiavo valley, with the Palü glacier opposite.

The descent to Poschiavo: tight curves and loops that drop more than a thousand metres from Alp Grüm to Poschiavo.

The Brusio circular viaduct: 143 m of stone in a spiral, where the track makes a full turn over itself to lose height.

Tirano: the train crosses the main street and stops beside the Italian station.

### Bernina Express or regional

The route is the same. The Bernina Express has panoramic carriages with windows up to the roof, fewer stops and a compulsory reservation of CHF 32 per person, children included. The regional train runs more often, stops at every station, has windows that open for photos and its reservation, at CHF 5, is optional. The ticket from St. Moritz to Tirano costs CHF 35 in second class one way and CHF 70 return; the Swiss Travel Pass covers it on both trains.

## Paso a paso

### 30 min · St. Moritz – Pontresina – Morteratsch
The train leaves St. Moritz, passes Pontresina and climbs the Bernina valley towards the Morteratsch glacier.

### 30 min · Ospizio Bernina and Lago Bianco
The highest point on the line, beside the lake, among glaciers.

### Stop · Alp Grüm
On the regional train you can get off here, look at the Palü glacier from the terrace and catch the next train.

### 1 h · Descent to Poschiavo and Brusio
The train winds down in tight curves to the Poschiavo valley and loops over itself on the Brusio circular viaduct.

### End · Tirano
Now in Italy. There is a bus to Lugano, or you can return by train.

## Qué llevar

- Passport or DNI: Tirano is in Italy

- Something warm for the stop at Alp Grüm or Ospizio Bernina

- Sunglasses

## Consejos

### The regional train, for photos
Its windows open. On the Bernina Express, with windows up to the roof, they don't.

### Reserve the regional in high season
For CHF 5 you secure a seat on fine days and at weekends.

### With a Swiss Travel Pass
The ticket is included; on the Bernina Express you only pay the CHF 32 reservation.

### Do just one stretch
St. Moritz – Alp Grüm and back already shows you the best of the upper part.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### Is the Bernina Express worth it, or is the regional enough?
The route is the same. The Bernina Express has panoramic carriages and fewer stops; the regional runs more often, lets you get off wherever you like and the reservation is optional.

### How much is the ticket from St. Moritz to Tirano?
CHF 35 in second class one way and CHF 70 return. On the Bernina Express the CHF 32 reservation is added.

### Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover it?
The ticket, yes. On the Bernina Express you pay the reservation separately.

### Do you have to reserve?
On the Bernina Express, always. On the regional train it is optional and costs CHF 5.