If this is your first time travelling the Bernina route from Chur to Tirano, I would choose the Bernina Express.
The additional reservation fee is relatively small compared to the overall cost of travelling to Switzerland, and the panoramic carriages make the journey feel more special.
However, if you're travelling on a budget, want complete flexibility or plan to stop at places such as Alp Grüm or Ospizio Bernina, the regional train may actually be the better option.
The important thing to know is this:
Both trains travel along exactly the same UNESCO World Heritage railway.
The scenery is identical.
The difference is simply how you choose to experience it.
Before deciding which train to take, you may also find these guides useful:
➡️ Complete Bernina Express Guide
➡️ Bernina Express Itinerary: Switzerland to Italy
➡️ Bernina Express With Kids: Our Family Review
The answer depends entirely on your travel style.
Both trains travel from Chur to Tirano along one of Europe's most spectacular railway lines.
Both cross the famous Landwasser Viaduct.
Both pass glaciers, lakes, mountain villages and dramatic alpine scenery.
The main differences are:
For many travellers, the decision comes down to whether they value flexibility or experience.
Bernina Express: Large panoramic windows designed specifically for sightseeing.
Regional Red Train: Standard train windows, although some services have windows that open.
Winner: Bernina Express
Bernina Express: Train ticket plus reservation fee.
Regional Train: No reservation required.
Winner: Regional train.
Bernina Express: Drop-down windows in the carriage doors allow glare-free photos.
Regional Train: Opening windows on some services, more opportunities for reflection-free photography and greater freedom to move around.
Winner: Regional Train (slightly)
Bernina Express: Limited departures and advance planning required.
Regional Train: Frequent departures throughout the day.
Winner: Regional train.
Bernina Express: Larger seat pitch, panoramic windows and a more premium atmosphere.
Regional Train: Comfortable but designed for everyday travel.
Winner: Bernina Express.
Bernina Express: Stay on one train and enjoy the journey.
Regional Train: May require train changes depending on the service.
Winner: Bernina Express.
The Bernina Express is the famous panoramic tourist train that operates between Switzerland and Italy.
Designed specifically for sightseeing, it offers:
- Panoramic windows
- Reserved seating
- Onboard commentary
- Comfortable seating with larger seat pitches
- Staff highlighting points of interest
- Complimentary Bernina Express souvenir tin filled with Lindt chocolates
- Complimentary drink
- The journey from Chur to Tirano takes approximately 4 hours 20 minutes.
Because reservations are required, the experience feels organised and relaxed.
For many travellers, it is a genuine bucket-list train journey.
The regional train, often referred to as the Red Train, is the local service used by residents travelling through the Alps.
Although less famous than the Bernina Express, it follows exactly the same route.
Benefits include:
- No reservation fees
- More frequent departures
- Greater flexibility
- Easier access to intermediate stops
- Lower overall cost
While it lacks the panoramic windows and tourist-focused atmosphere, the scenery is identical.
This is probably the biggest misconception surrounding the Bernina route.
Many travellers assume the Bernina Express offers better scenery.
It doesn't.
The route is identical.
Whether you take the Bernina Express or the regional train, you'll still experience:
The difference is simply the carriage you view it from.
Photography is one of the main reasons travellers choose one train over the other.
Many websites claim the regional train is better because the windows open.
That isn't entirely true.
One of the biggest myths is that you can't take glare-free photographs on the Bernina Express.
In reality, second-class panoramic carriages have drop-down windows located in the carriage doors.
These allow you to capture photographs without reflections.
We have travelled on the Bernina Express ourselves and found the drop-down door windows worked brilliantly for taking glare-free photos.
Regional trains can also be excellent for photography.
Depending on the carriage, some windows open, allowing unrestricted photos.
Because trains are often quieter, it can be easier to move around and switch sides.
If photography is your main priority, I would give a slight edge to the regional train.
While the Bernina Express does have drop-down windows in the carriage doors that allow for glare-free photos, the regional train offers more opportunities to photograph the scenery through open windows and move around the carriage.
That said, both trains provide excellent photography opportunities and you'll see exactly the same spectacular scenery regardless of which service you choose.
For most travellers, I don't think photography alone is a good enough reason to choose one train over the other. However, if capturing the best possible photos is your top priority, the regional train probably has a small advantage.
We travelled in Bernina Express 2nd Class ourselves and never felt we were missing out.
The seats were comfortable, spacious and perfectly adequate for a journey of just over four hours.
The panoramic windows are exactly the same experience you'll enjoy throughout the train.
For most travellers, I don't believe upgrading to first class offers enough additional value to justify the higher fare.
If you're considering the Bernina Express, second class is the option I would recommend.
For families, I think the Bernina Express has the edge.
The guaranteed seats, larger windows and uninterrupted journey make the experience easier and more enjoyable.
We travelled on the Bernina Express with four children aged 7, 11, 13 and 17 and all of them enjoyed the journey.
If you're travelling with children, read:
If you're travelling from Switzerland to Italy and simply want to enjoy the journey, the Bernina Express works brilliantly.
You board in Chur and remain on the same train all the way to Tirano.
From there you can continue onwards to:
This is exactly the route we followed ourselves.
➡️ Bernina Express Itinerary: Switzerland to Italy
If you're planning a longer rail holiday through Switzerland, our 10 Day Switzerland Itinerary may also be useful.
Base fare: approximately CHF 66
Seat reservation: approximately CHF 36
Total: approximately CHF 102
Base fare: approximately CHF 66
Reservation fee: none
Total: approximately CHF 66
The actual difference comes down to the reservation supplement.
For most travellers, the question is whether the panoramic experience is worth an additional CHF 36.
Pros
Cons
Pros
Cons
If this is your first time travelling the Bernina route, I would choose the Bernina Express.
However, if you've already travelled on the Bernina Express before, want complete flexibility or plan to make multiple stops along the route, the regional train is an excellent alternative.
The scenery is identical.
The difference is simply how you choose to experience it.
For us personally, the price difference isn't significant enough to choose the regional train over the Bernina Express.
For most people, this is a journey they'll only take once, which makes the additional CHF 36 feel worthwhile.
Is the Bernina Express worth the extra cost?
For most first-time visitors, yes. The panoramic windows, reserved seating and uninterrupted journey make the experience feel more special.
Does the regional train follow the same route?
Yes. Both trains use exactly the same UNESCO World Heritage railway from Chur to Tirano.
Which train is cheaper?
The regional train is cheaper because there is no reservation fee.
Which train is best for photography?
Both are excellent. The regional train has opening windows on some services, while the Bernina Express has drop-down windows in the carriage doors. But I would give a slight edge to the regional train due to the additional opportunities for reflection-free photography.
Which train is best for families?
I would choose the Bernina Express due to the reserved seating and more relaxed experience.
Can I take the Bernina Express one way and the regional train back?
Absolutely. In fact, this is one of the best ways to experience both options.
Copyright © Build a Break | Website by Furness Media
