And after doing it myself, I honestly think the regular train could be a smarter choice.
Let me show you exactly how to do it.
(Yes — same views, zero reservation fee.)
The Bernina Express is one of the most famous scenic train rides in the world, crossing the Alps from Switzerland into Italy. It’s a UNESCO-listed panoramic route that takes you past glaciers, mountain lakes, and jaw-dropping viaducts all the way into Tirano, Italy.
But here’s what most people don’t know:
👉 You don’t need to take the official Bernina Express to enjoy the same route.
👉 You can take the regular regional train — same tracks, same views, cheaper.
So what’s the benefits
It is cheaper since there is no reservation fee saving you the extra 36-48 CHF, but that being said that meant if you’re travelling during peak period there may be no guaranteed seats.
You can hop off on more points that the Bernina Express, this meant if you plan to take a breather along the way that gives you the flexibility especially at Alp Grüm.
It is part of the Swiss Pass and pays off to get a Swiss Pass if you do extensive travelling on OBB.
My Experience
I took the train at Chur around 8.30AM and found myself in Tirano by afternoon at 1pm. Had a quick lunch at Tirano and looped back at 3.15pm. there were around 2 train changes.
Halfway through the journey I decided to change course and head to Luzern instead of Chur. I reached Luzern at 9.30pm making it a 6 hour journey back. There were 3-4 changes of train and I was carrying my hand-carry luggage around the trip and had a narrow 2 min time to change at some stations. Challenging but possible.
I sometimes had the entire carriage to myself as it was off peak in late January.
