daily, except in November

As a sole proprietor with a capacity of one tour per day, I can be fully booked far in advance.

Bernina Express route tour from Zurich (on local trains)

Outbound (Zurich - Tirano)

We meet in the early morning in Zurich and travel first to Chur.

After a short coffee break in Chur, we board a local train of the Rhaetian railways.

Soon after departure from Chur, we will be traveling on the UNESCO world heritage Albula and Bernina train line.

The Bernina Express route stretches over 122 kilometers (76.8 miles)

Besides offering countless spectacular views, it is also a masterpiece of railway engineering.

The first highlight of the journey is Reichenau, where the rhine springs (upper and lower rhine) confluence.

In Thusis, we start traveling on the Albula train line.

We cross the impressive Landwasser viaduct, which is 142 meters (465 ft.) long and 65 meters (213 ft.) high.

The next highlight awaits us between Bergün and Preda. Here the train has to climb 416 meters (1365 ft.). To reduce the resulting incline, we travel through a set of spinal tunnels.

In Samedan, we change trains.

The next train will take us on a quick hop from Samedan to Pontresina.

In Pontresina, we change trains once again and will be traveling now on the Bernina train line.

We climb up the Bernina mountain pass and travel along the shores of the lakes Lago Bianco and Lej Nair.

We pass the height of the pass 'Ospizio Bernina'. Located at 2'253 m. / 7'392 ft. above sea level it is the highest railway station of the Rhaetian Railway's network.

From the height of the pass, we start our descent to Poschiavo, where we travel again along the shores of Lake Poschiavo.

After passing the Brusio circular viduct, where the train makes a 360° turn, we arrive in Tirano where we will have a lunch break.

Inbound (Tirano- Zurich)

Inbound (Option A: short lunch in Tirano, return via St. Moritz)

With this option, we can only have a brief lunch of approx. 30-minutes in Tirano. This will be sufficient to grab a sandwich or a burger.

By having a brief lunch in Tirano, we will make time for a small detour on the way back to St. Moritz, where we can spend up to two hours, and visit the village.

Inbound (Option B: long lunch in Tirano, return same as outbound)

If you prefer having a less rushed lunch, we can spend two hours in Tirano, which will give you plenty of time for an à la carte lunch (not included in the tour price).

With this option we will return on the same route, and without a visit to St. Moritz.

Inclusions

- All required train tickets in first class for you and the guide

- Pick-up and drop-off at any centrally located Hotels, Apartment, or Airbnb

- Return to any centrally located Hotel, Apartment, or Airbnb after the tour

- Fee for the private guide, who will stay at your disposal throughout the tour

- Car-free tour by train, mountain railway, and aerial cable car as per the tour description

- Photography by the guide (with your own camera or smartphone)

- A booklet with comprehensive information about Switzerland (one per party, for groups of four persons or larger are two printed copies included)

- Use of a mobile hotspot with unlimited data (speed: 4G)

What is not included in the tour price?

- Your meals and drinks

- Any personal expenses

- Optional activities

- Travel insurance (participation at your own risk)

The activity level is moderate: plenty of changes of trains, with option B: walking through St. Moritz at your discretion

I can meet you at any centrally located hotel in Zurich.

Click here to see a map of the pick-up area

If you're staying outside of the pick-up area, I can meet you at the central train station of Zurich.

Weather forecast

Once a reliable weather forecast is available (usually one to three days before departure), I will send you a link to the forecast.

If there is bad weather forecasted, I will include my recommendations for our tour day.

I use the weather forecasts provided by the Federal Office of Meteorology and SRF (Swiss Radio and Television).

With the link below, you can check the weather forecast at any time by yourself. The forecast is available for the next five days.

Operability

This tour can run in any weather condition. On rare occasions, there may be a cancellation due to landslides, avalanches, and other natural forces or the risk thereof. I will fully refund the deposit in this case.

Your options in case of bad weather

A full-day train tour is already the best option on a rainy day.

If not having perfect weather is a dealbreaker, you can cancel by forfeiting the deposit.

This itinerary is only an example. The schedule can vary due to various factors such as the season, the day of the week, construction work, service, and schedule changes.

The exact departure and return time depends on the pick-up/drop-off location.

This itinerary is only an example. The schedule can vary due to various factors such as the season, the day of the week, construction work, service, and schedule changes.

The exact departure and return time depends on the pick-up/drop-off location.