When riding the Bernina Express how many hours does it take to complete the journey?
The answer is around four to four-and-a-half hours.
You’ll start from Chur, Switzerland and head straight to Tirano, Italy.
The route reaches a grand total of 144 kilometers, or 90 miles.
The Bernina Express passes through 55 tunnels and crosses 196 bridges.
You’ll climb to 2,253 meters (7,392 feet) at the Bernina Pass.
It’s not a fast trip by any means, and it’s not designed to be.
It’s meant to be slow, scenic, and memorable.
And, trust us; the views are definitely sights you won’t ever forget.
Why Does the Bernina Express Take 4 Hours?
The Bernina Express is not your average train ride.
It’s a trip that focuses on the journey – not the destination – because of the excellent scenery along the way.
The Bernina Express moves slowly so that you can take in all the stunning sights you pass by.
You’ll go from pristine snowy peaks to vibrant, fresh palm trees in just one trip.
The ride covers the Rhaetian Railway, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it deliberately slows down at gorgeous spots like the Brusio Spiral Viaduct and Montebello Curve.
This slow pacing is part of the experience.
The point of the Bernina Express is not to get you from start to finish as fast as possible.
It’s to ensure you fully experience the journey.
What Are the Highlights During Those 4 Hours?
So if you’re sitting on the train for that long, what will you see?
Here’s a breakdown of the top sights along the Bernina Express route:
Montebello Curve
You’ll get a clear view of the Bernina massif from this bend in the tracks.
According to many passengers, the mountains at this spot feel close enough to touch.
Morteratsch Glacier
Near the Morteratsch station, this impressive glacier dominates the landscape.
Covering an area of around 16 square kilometers, it’s easily one of the largest glaciers in the region.
Lago Bianco and Friends
When riding on the Bernina Express how many hours the trip takes won’t matter.
Not when you’re passing by lakes as gorgeous as Lej Pitschen, Lej Nair, andLago Bianco.
Their calm, crystal waters show off colors that change with the season and the light.
Alp Grüm
At 2,091 meters, this station offers sweeping views of glaciers, valleys, and distant peaks.
It’s also a popular stop along the Bernina Express route for photos.
Ospizio Bernina
This is the highest point of the trip—literally!
This station stands at 2,253 meters above sea level, and is surrounded by the iconic White Lake and Black Lake.
Here, the terrain shifts from green to snowy – depending on the season – making for some fantastic photos.
Brusio Circular Viaduct
This spiral viaduct lets the train descend in elevation while curving around itself.
It’s one of the most photographed parts of the ride.
Do You Stop During the Trip?
Along the four to four-and-a-half-hour trip, the Bernina Express does make several stops.
However, most are brief and meant for operational purposes.
You usually board in Chur or St. Moritz and finish in Tirano.
Some trains stop at Alp Grüm orOspizio Bernina for photo ops.
Do note that you won’t get off at every station, though.
The goal of the Bernina Express train ride is to keep the experience flowing.
If you want to hop on and off more often, try the local Rhätische Bahn trains instead.
Is There a Faster Option?
If you’re not riding the Bernina Express how many hours does it take to get from Chur or St. Moritz to Tirano?
You can actually cut the trip down to 2 hours and 20 minutes if you take the regional train from Tirano to St. Moritz.
So, if you’re in a hurry, there is a faster option for you to cover the distance between both points.
But just know that you’ll miss the full Bernina Express experience.
The regional train doesn’t offer panoramic windows nor a UNESCO-certified rail journey.
It barrels right past the scenery, not slowing down for any of the scenic or photogenic highlights.
This is why the Bernina Express takes four hours to cover the distance.
Allowing you the time to sit back, relax, and soak in the sights is part of what you’re paying for.
What Can You Do Onboard During Those 4 Hours?
Don’t worry; there’s plenty to do onboard the Bernina Express besides enjoying the view.
Sit Back in a Panoramic Car
The seats on the Bernina Express are fairly comfortable, so why not sit back and enjoy the ride.
The train has floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, and every seat offers a good view.
You don’t have to crane your neck or crowd the aisle just to get a glimpse of the gorgeous scenery.
Use the Audio Guide
You can listen to a multilingual guide explaining what you’re passing.
It adds meaning to the scenery and makes it even more memorable.
Grab a Snack
There’s a trolley service with drinks and light snacks to keep you sated during the four hours.
You can even bring your own food, if you prefer.
Take Photos
The windows on the Bernina Express are large and clean.
You’ll want to snap plenty of shots, especially at spots like Alp Grüm and the viaducts.
Enjoy the Amenities
WiFi is available in first class, though signal strength may vary.
So if you’ve secured a first class ticket, you can update your socials or your friends with beautiful pictures and snapshots in real time.
Ready to Ride the Bernina Express?
So, regarding the Bernina Express how many hours does it take to ride it, from start to end?
It takes anywhere between four to four-and-a-half hours — and that’s on purpose.
It gives you enough time to fully enjoy and capture the sights.
If that sounds like a great deal, then let’s make it happen.
At Lemon Drop Travel Co, we can help you plan your Bernina Express trip.
We’ll handle everything — from train tickets and seat reservations to hotels, transfers, and more.
All you need to do is sit back, enjoy the views, and make some memories.
Contact us today to start planning your scenic Swiss adventure!