In the heart of the Bernina Alps lies a 61 km stretch of the Rhaetian Railway, the highest in Europe. Along these tracks, winding between Valtellina and Switzerland, runs a train with a distinctive bright red color. It is known as the Bernina Red Train and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for fourteen years now. After all, those who have traveled on it could expect nothing less. The unmistakably colored carriages travel through fairy-tale landscapes, along mountains, forests and lakes, leaving passengers breathless.
You can't read about the Bernina Red Train trip without immediately wanting to set off to discover this hidden gem in the Alps. So let's see everything you need to know to plan your next excursion and start daydreaming! without immediately setting off to discover this hidden gem in the Alps. So let's see everything there is to know to plan your next excursion and start daydreaming!
The Bernina Red Train travels
along the highest railway in Europe , on a stretch that connects Italy to Switzerland. The Italian terminus is Tirano, a village in the Province ofSondrio , Lombardy, at 429 meters above sea level. The destination terminus is the home of Swiss winter tourism: St. Moritz.The red trains that make this
journey every day belong to the Rhaetian Railway , a cornerstone of 20th-century railway engineering. The line serving Italy and Switzerlandbecame a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 as an example of advanced techniques in managing mountain landscapes and as the steepest and most spectacular narrow-gauge railway in the world. Only two other railway lines are listed alongside it by UNESCO, located in Austria and India respectively. In about two and a half hours, the red train touches around twenty locations, reaching 2,253 meters above sea level at the Bernina Pass. This journey immerses passengers in
nature amid breathtaking panoramas that words cannot fully describe. An itinerary full of emotions running through the Rhaetian Alps of Valtellina, the forests of Valposchiavo, and the stunning lakes (speaking of lakes, have you heard of Lake Braies?), waterfalls, and Swiss glaciers. along breathtaking landscapes that words alone can't describe. An itinerary full of emotions running through the Rhaetian Alps of Valtellina, the forests of Valposchiavo, and the stunning lakes (speaking of lakes, have you heard of Lake Braies?), waterfalls, and Swiss glaciers.
The Bernina Train departs from Tirano station, which can be reached by train from
Milan Central or by car via the Stelvio Pass or Bernina Pass. Once at the station, you can choose between two types of trains that travel the same route but offer different advantages. The first is the
Bernina Express , the slowest express train in Europe, reaching its destination in two hours and fifteen minutes. This is apanoramic train, equipped with dome windows from which you can comfortably admire the surrounding landscape. A reservation is required to travel on this type of train. Additionally, there is an extra surcharge on top of the ticket price, ranging from 10 to 26 euros depending on the time of year. The Bernina Express also makes only four from which you can comfortably admire the entire surrounding landscape. To travel on this type of train, a reservation is required. Additionally, there is an extra surcharge on top of the ticket price, ranging from 10 to 26 euros depending on the time of year. The Bernina Express also only makes four per day and stops only at selected stations, clearly indicated in the train timetable. The
Regional Red Train does not require strict planning before departure, and tickets can be easily purchased at the station on the spot. The convenience of this option lies in the fact that regional trains depart almost every hour and does not require strict planning before departure, and tickets can be easily purchased at the station on the spot. The convenience of this option lies in the fact that regional trains depart practically every hour and . The journey duration in this case is two and a half hours.The cost for a daily round-trip ticket is 62 euros for second class and 110 euros for first class. Children up to five years travel free, those up to fifteen pay a reduced fare of 31 euros, and groups of ten or more receive a 30% discount with mandatory reservation. For those interested, a guided tour can also be booked with the ticket purchase. and 110 euros for first class. Children up to five years travel free, those up to fifteen pay a reduced fare of 31 euros, while groups of ten or more receive a 30% discount with mandatory reservation. For those interested, a tour guide can also be booked when purchasing the ticket.
option to travel in open-top carriages , uncovered cars from which to admire the panorama without obstruction. No reservation is required, but it is advisable to check the schedules to know when they are available.Routes and Stops of the Bernina Red Train
If you choose to travel on the express, as mentioned, the stops will be predetermined at the time of booking. Traveling on the regional train gives you the freedom to choose which of the approximately twenty locations to visit. Some planning is therefore recommended.
If you decide to travel with the express, as mentioned, the stops will already be set at the time of booking. Traveling on the regional train instead gives you the freedom to choose which of the approximately twenty locations to visit. Therefore, a bit of planning is advisable.
Tirano , a town on the banks of the Adda River, embraced by the Alps and forests. Tirano is also known as theCity of Wine thanks to the numerous vineyards that themselves became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018.It is the only Italian stop made by the Bernina Train where you can pause before departure to discover natural beauties, the architectural gems of the historic center (such as the Basilica of the Madonna of Tirano), and local food and wine specialties. The journey continues towards Brusio
, where the train crosses the famous spiral viaduct, one of the most fascinating and marvelous feats of human engineering to visit. A spiral that in a few minutes allows the train to overcome a 30-meter elevation change by traveling on a nine-span bridge that makes a 360-degree turn, reaching a gradient of 70 per mille. Next come the charming spots of, one of the most interesting and wonderful feats of human engineering to visit. A spiral that in just a few minutes allows the train to overcome a height difference of thirty meters by traveling on a nine-span bridge that makes a 360-degree turn, reaching a gradient of 70 per thousand.
and Le Prese , on the shores of Lake Poschiavo, a fairy-tale place with a unique atmosphere, made of peace and mountains reflecting on the calm waters of the lake. Shortly after, the train arrives at the village of Poschiavo, where among 19th-century palaces and villas stands out the Spanish Quarter with splendid examples of Art Nouveau architecture. Deeper into the heart of Switzerland, the red train passes through the forests of Val Pila and mountain passes, continuing to climb like a spiral staircase and reachingCavaglia
and its spectacular glacier. A stop not to be missed for anything in the world. Cavaglia hosts the Giant's Kettles , natural basins formed by thousands of years of glacier water erosion on the rock. Bernina Train: From the Panoramic Terrace and HigherAt 2,091 meters above sea level, you arrive at
Alp Grüm
, where from the panoramic terrace of the station itself you can admire one of the most wonderful views along the entire route, embracing a vast stretch of land from Valposchiavo to the Palü Glacier. This place has also been twinned since 1979 with the Hakone-Tozan mountain railway, where from the panoramic terrace of the station itself you can admire one of the most wonderful views along the entire route, encompassing a vast stretch of land from Valposchiavo to the Palü Glacier. This place is also Japan, built modeled precisely on the Rhaetian Railway of the Bernina. Next is the stop atOspizio Bernina
, the highest point of the entire route. From here, you can admire from a privileged position the two lakes, the White Lake and the Black Lake, with a stunning contrast of colors in summer, but romantically covered in snow and ice in winter. Two stops later, you arrive at Bernina Diavolezza, a must-stop beloved by all ski and snowboard enthusiasts thanks to its ski resort. From here, you can also reach cable cars for those who want more than just a land journey. Another essential stop is, a must-stop beloved by all ski and snowboard enthusiasts thanks to its ski resort. From here, you can also reach the cable cars for those who want more than just travel by land.
, from where a walking path leads to its glacier, the third longest in the Eastern Alps. This is the ideal place for a peaceful and perfectly safe walk or perhaps a snowshoe hike. The next stop brings us to the final destination,, from which a walking path starts to reach its glacier, the third longest in the Eastern Alps. This is the ideal place for a peaceful and perfectly safe walk or perhaps a snowshoe hike.
. The luxurious Swiss resort offers not only trendy restaurants and shops but also the chance to immerse yourself in nature along the shores of its lake, a hidden paradise behind the noise of high society. Thus, the journey ends, ready for the return trip along the Rhaetian Railway, to fill your eyes once again with incredible scenery, already nostalgic at heart and eager to return.. The luxurious Swiss resort offers not only trendy restaurants and shops but also the chance to immerse yourself in nature along the shores of its lake, a hidden paradise away from the noise of the social scene.
And so we have reached the end, ready for the return journey along the Rhaetian Railway, to fill your eyes once again with an incredible panorama, already with nostalgia in your heart and the desire to come back.