Is the Bernina Express Free with the Swiss Travel Pass?
Yes, the fare is covered end to end, and that includes the bus leg down to Lugano. What you're actually paying for is the seat, because the panoramic cars are reservation-only and there's no way around it. Without a pass you'd hand over CHF 125 in 2nd class from Chur to Tirano (CHF 218 in 1st), or CHF 66 if you join at St Moritz. With the pass in your pocket, that drops to zero and you're left with a reservation fee that starts at CHF 32.
You're covered all the way to Tirano, over the Italian border, so you don't need to get off at Campocologno or worry about a border supplement. And the reservation fee isn't just a booking charge, it comes with an iced tea and a little souvenir box of Lindt chocolates, which softens the blow a bit.
What the Bernina Express Reservation Costs in 2026
The fee depends on where you board and what time of year it is. High season runs 2 May to 25 October 2026.
| Leg | High season | Low season |
|---|---|---|
| Chur – Tirano | CHF 44 | CHF 40 |
| St Moritz – Tirano | CHF 32 | CHF 32 |
| Tirano – Lugano bus | CHF 16 | CHF 14 |
| Both legs (train + bus) | CHF 60 | — |
Book early. Seats sell out weeks ahead between May and October, and turning up on the day in August is a good way to end up on a regional train instead. If you're not sure how the booking process works with a pass, our guide to seat reservations in Switzerland walks through it.
Bernina Express Timetable: How Often It Runs
The train runs year round, but the frequency swings hard with the season.
- Summer (2 May – 25 Oct 2026): two to three a day Chur–Tirano, three a day St Moritz–Tirano.
- Winter: one a day in each direction, and the early departures disappear.
- Southbound from Chur: 08:17 arriving Tirano 12:49, and 13:34 arriving 18:00.
- Northbound from Tirano: 08:06 and 14:24.
Between 29 October and 13 November, trains 951 and 952 are routed via the Vereina tunnel. That skips the Albula line, so you'd miss the Landwasser Viaduct. It only affects the Chur to St Moritz half, though. The Bernina Pass, Lago Bianco and the Brusio spiral all sit south of St Moritz and run as normal. If it's the Albula you want in those two weeks, take the Red Train over that section instead.
Doing Chur to Tirano and back in a single day is possible but it's 8h 40mins sitting on a train. You'll see the line twice and Tirano for about an hour. Most of the time you're better off staying the night in Tirano or Poschiavo, or carrying on to Lugano.
The Tirano to Lugano Bus: When You Can Actually Take It
The bus down to Lugano is covered by your pass too, with a CHF 16 reservation in high season, CHF 14 in low.
But it only operates from early May to 31 October, once a day each way, taking around 3h 10mins:
- Tirano 14:20 → Lugano 17:30
- Lugano 10:00 → Tirano 13:00
The southbound bus connects with the morning train from Chur. Take the 13:34 departure instead and you'll arrive in Tirano at 18:00, long after the bus has gone. If Lugano is your endpoint, you're on the 08:17.
How to Do the Full Chur to Lugano Day
- Board the 08:17 from Chur, not the 13:34.
- Arrive Tirano 12:49, which leaves about 90 minutes for lunch.
- Board the bus at 14:20.
- Arrive Lugano 17:30, with the evening free.
The Cheaper Alternative: The Regional Trenino Rosso
The exact same UNESCO-listed track is served by an hourly regional train, the Red Train, or Trenino Rosso, seven days a week, all year. Same bridges, same viaducts, same 2,253m pass at Ospizio Bernina. And the winter timetable barely changes even when the Bernina Express thins out to one run a day.
| Bernina Express | Regional (Trenino Rosso) | |
|---|---|---|
| Fare with Swiss Travel Pass | Free | Free |
| Reservation | Compulsory, CHF 32–44 | Optional, about CHF 5 |
| Journey time | About 4h 30mins | 4h 20mins – 4h 40mins |
| Changes | None | One, at St Moritz or Pontresina |
| Windows | Panoramic, sealed | Standard |
| Frequency | 1–3 a day | Hourly, year round |
| Snacks included | Iced tea + Lindt box | No |
So you're paying CHF 32 to 44 for curved glass, a guaranteed seat, no change of train, and a box of chocolate. Whether that's worth it depends on how much you care about the ceiling windows, and on whether you want to be able to open a window for a photo, which the panoramic cars won't let you do.
The Route in Numbers
It's 122km from Chur to Tirano, about 4h 30mins, crossing 196 bridges and threading 55 tunnels, topping out at 2,253m at Ospizio Bernina. The Albula and Bernina lines have been UNESCO World Heritage since 2008.
Getting to the Start: Chur or St Moritz
Chur is the main northern terminus and it's about 1h 15mins from Zurich by direct train, fully covered by your pass. St Moritz is the alternative start, which shortens the ride and cuts the reservation to CHF 32, a decent option if you're already in the Engadine or you don't fancy a full day seated.
The Glacier Express is the longer version of the same kind of day: eight hours against about four and a half, and CHF 54 to reserve against CHF 32 to 44. For the rest of them, including the GoldenPass Express, start at the scenic trains hub.
