Glacier Express vs Bernina Express: How Switzerland’s Two Greatest Rail Journeys Compare
Written by
Railtrail - 26th June 2026Last updated: May 2026
Key Summary: The Glacier Express and Bernina Express are Switzerland’s two most famous panoramic trains. The Glacier runs from Zermatt to St. Moritz in eight hours, with lunch brought to your seat. The Bernina is quicker and more varied, four hours from Chur over the Alps to Tirano in Italy. The Bernina is the better value. For comfort and a full day’s dining, choose the Glacier. View Our Swiss Rail Tours or request a free brochure.
The Glacier Express and the Bernina Express are the two trains most people picture when they think of Swiss rail travel. Both are famous, and most travelers assume they have to pick one. You do not, but if you are choosing between them, the differences matter.
We have run both lines many times over more than 40 years of operating escorted rail holidays. Railtrail is an independent, family-run specialist, ABTOT protected (member 5577) and rated Excellent on Trustpilot. The two trains solve different problems. One is a full, unhurried day across central Switzerland with a restaurant service at your seat. The other is a faster, steeper crossing of the Alps that ends among Italian palms. Most of the Switzerland itineraries we run include both.
Photo by Mihaela Claudia Puscas on Unsplash
The Quick Answer
The Glacier Express runs from Zermatt to St. Moritz in around eight hours and feels like a refined, full-day occasion with dining brought to your seat. The Bernina Express runs Chur to Tirano in about four hours and packs more varied views into half the time, crossing from Swiss glaciers to Italian palms. The Bernina is the better choice for most people. The Glacier is worth the extra if comfort and a proper lunch matter to you. Both are panoramic trains, with oversized windows that curve up into the roof for an open view.
| Feature | Glacier Express | Bernina Express |
| Route | Zermatt to St. Moritz | Chur to Tirano (Italy) |
| Journey time | Around 8 hours | About 4 hours |
| Highest point | Oberalp Pass, 2,033m | Ospizio Bernina, 2,253m |
| Operator | Glacier Express AG (MGB and RhB) | Rhaetian Railway (RhB) |
| Border crossing | Stays within Switzerland | Crosses into Italy |
| Best for | Comfort, dining, a full day out | Scenery variety and value |
| 2nd class ticket (2026) | CHF 159, Zermatt to St. Moritz | Around CHF 125, Chur to Tirano |
| Seat reservation (2026) | CHF 54, mandatory | CHF 40 to 44, mandatory |
| On-board dining | Full service to your seat | Trolley and seat-side snacks |
| UNESCO line | Albula section | Albula and Bernina sections |
Both trains run on narrow-gauge track, which is laid closer together than mainline gauge so the line can take tighter curves through the mountains. They share the same stretch of railway around Chur and St. Moritz, which is exactly why so many travellers combine them.
What Is the Difference Between the Glacier Express and Bernina Express?
The main difference is route and character. The Glacier Express crosses central Switzerland between two alpine resorts, Zermatt and St. Moritz, over eight hours with on-board dining. The Bernina Express crosses the Alps from Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy in four hours, climbing higher and dropping faster through more varied country. Both run on narrow-gauge track, but they are operated differently and built for different kinds of day.
The two trains share a stretch of track around Chur and St. Moritz. The Glacier Express is run by Glacier Express AG, a joint operation between the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn and the Rhaetian Railway. The Bernina Express is run by the Rhaetian Railway alone. Both use the same stretch of track around Chur and St. Moritz, and both cross the Landwasser Viaduct on the UNESCO-listed Albula line. Ride both and the shared middle section is obvious. From there the two lines run in opposite directions.
The clearest differences:
- The Glacier stays inside Switzerland; the Bernina ends in Italy, at Tirano
- The Bernina climbs higher, to 2,253m, against the Glacier’s 2,033m
- The Glacier takes eight unhurried hours; the Bernina does four brisk ones
- The Glacier has a full restaurant service; the Bernina has a trolley, no dining car
Photo by Patrick Federi on Unsplash
The Routes and Scenery Compared
The Bernina has better scenery. In four hours it runs from high glaciers down to Italian palms, taking in Lago Bianco, the Alp Grüm photo stop, and the looping Brusio viaduct. The Glacier takes its time instead. Across eight hours it gives you the Rhine Gorge, the Oberalp Pass, and the Landwasser Viaduct.
Glacier Express Route and Scenery
The Rhine Gorge is the stretch most people remember: a white-walled canyon between Reichenau and Ilanz, on the way down from the Oberalp Pass, 2,033m. The line starts beneath the Matterhorn at Zermatt, climbs through Brig to the pass, where a lighthouse marks the source of the River Rhine.
- The first sight of the Matterhorn at Zermatt, before you board
- The Oberalp Pass lighthouse, marking where the Rhine begins
- The Rhine Gorge, the white-walled canyon between Reichenau and Ilanz
- The Landwasser Viaduct, a 65m-high curve that runs straight into a cliff tunnel
Bernina Express Route and Scenery
From Chur, the line climbs south through spiral loops to Ospizio Bernina at 2,253m, the highest point on the line, beside the glacial water of Lago Bianco. Then it tips over the pass and begins one of the steepest descents any adhesion railway makes, dropping around 1,800m to Tirano.
The scenery turns over quickly on the way down. Snow gives way to forest, then to vineyards around Poschiavo, where people speak Italian. The first stop after the summit is the best of it.
- Lago Bianco, the milky glacial lake at the summit
- Alp Grüm, a tiny station reachable only by train, with a terrace facing the Palü Glacier
- Poschiavo, where the valley turns southern and Italian
- The Brusio spiral viaduct, where the train loops a full circle in the open to lose height
Glaciers, a high white lake, a steep descent, and a soft Italian valley, all in one morning.
Which Train Is More Comfortable?
The Glacier Express is the more comfortable and refined of the two. It runs a full dining service with meals brought to your seat, larger tables, multilingual audio guides through headphones, and an optional top tier called Excellence Class. The Bernina Express is comfortable but simpler: panoramic cars, free Wi-Fi, and a refreshment trolley rather than a restaurant car.
On Board the Glacier Express
On the Glacier Express, the dining service is central to the day. You sit in panorama cars with windows that curve up into the roof, and over eight hours the food and service are part of the point. You can pre-order a three-course lunch in first or second class, and a bar service runs through the train.
The top option is Excellence Class, the Glacier Express’s premium tier with a guaranteed single window seat, a five-course menu, and a welcome glass on boarding. It carries a CHF 540 seat reservation in 2026, on top of a first class ticket. That makes it a considered choice, not a casual upgrade. The same premium feel runs through Railtrail’s luxury rail tours, with first class travel and hand-picked hotels.
On Board the Bernina Express
The Bernina Express keeps things simpler, and across four hours it does not need much more. You travel in modern Allegra panorama cars, there is free Wi-Fi throughout, and a trolley comes round with snacks, drinks, and a small souvenir included with your seat reservation. Route commentary plays over the speakers in several languages.
The speaker commentary can be hard to hear when the car is full. Worth knowing before you board.
If comfort and dining matter most to you, choose the Glacier Express. If you would rather have a shorter, punchier ride and do not mind bringing your own lunch, the Bernina is the easy pick.
Photo by Alejandra Cifre González on Unsplash
Which Is Cheaper, the Bernina Express or the Glacier Express?
The Bernina Express is the cheaper of the two. The full Chur to Tirano route needs only a seat reservation of CHF 40 to 44 in 2026 if you hold a rail pass, or a point-to-point ticket of around CHF 125 in second class if you do not. The Glacier Express costs more: a full Zermatt to St. Moritz second class ticket is CHF 159, plus a compulsory CHF 54 seat reservation, which comes to CHF 213.
The seat reservation is a separate, compulsory fee charged on top of your ticket or pass, and a rail pass never covers it. So even with a Swiss Travel Pass, you still pay the reservation on both trains.
Glacier Express Ticket and Reservation Cost (2026)
For the full Zermatt to St. Moritz route in 2026:
- Second class ticket: CHF 159
- First class ticket: CHF 272
- Seat reservation: CHF 54, the same in first and second class
- Excellence Class reservation: CHF 540, on top of a first class ticket
A standard second class day on the Glacier Express therefore works out at CHF 213 once the reservation is added, as set out on the operator’s official price page. Excellence Class is a different order of spending, aimed at travellers who want the five-course, single-window-seat version of the day.
Bernina Express Ticket and Reservation Cost (2026)
The Bernina works out lower because it is shorter and more simply run. With a rail pass, all you pay is the reservation:
- Full Chur to Tirano reservation: CHF 40 in winter, CHF 44 in summer
- Short St. Moritz to Tirano reservation: CHF 32, year-round
- Point-to-point second class ticket without a pass: around CHF 125, Chur to Tirano
There is a cheaper way to ride the same line. Regular regional trains run the identical route with no reservation needed, and on some you can even open the windows. You miss the panorama cars and the seat-side service, so most people who are happy to pay for the experience stick with the Bernina Express itself.
Prices here are for 2026 and can change, so check the operators before you book.
Is the Glacier Express Really Worth It?
The Glacier Express is worth it if you want a full, unhurried day across the Alps with proper comfort and dining, rather than the quickest way between two points. At eight hours it is a destination in itself, not a transfer.
You are paying for the whole day. Eight hours crossing central Switzerland, lunch brought to your seat, the Rhine Gorge and the Landwasser Viaduct along the way, and Excellence Class if you want the five-course version. It is nicknamed the world’s slowest express, and the pace is by design.
One thing to know before you book: despite the name, you do not pass close to many glaciers. They mostly sit across the valleys, not beside the track. It catches people out.
Photo by Alejandra Cifre González on Unsplash
The Engineering and Heritage Behind Both Trains
Both trains run on the Rhaetian Railway’s Albula and Bernina lines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. The two lines cross the high Alps on stone viaducts and looping tunnels instead of cog systems, which is what earned them the listing. The Bernina is the highest transalpine railway in Europe and one of the steepest adhesion railways anywhere.
A UNESCO World Heritage Railway
The two lines were listed together in 2008. The Albula line opened in 1904 and runs 67km, with 42 tunnels and 144 viaducts and bridges along the way. The Bernina pass line adds 61km more, with 13 tunnels and 52 bridges. Both trains share the same central stretch of this track, so you ride part of it whichever one you take.
Viaducts, Spirals, and the Climb Over the Alps
The Landwasser Viaduct, a 65m-high curve of stone that crosses the river and runs straight into a tunnel cut in the cliff, appears on almost every photograph of the Albula line. Both trains cross it. Just up the line, between Preda and Bergün, hidden spiral tunnels let the track climb over 400m by looping back inside the mountain.
The Bernina does its hardest work out in the open. It climbs to Ospizio Bernina at 2,253m, then drops around 1,800m down to Tirano on the grip between wheel and rail alone, with no toothed rack to help. The best bit to watch for is the Brusio spiral viaduct, where the train loops a full circle on an open stone bridge to lose height. Railtrail’s heritage and history rail tours are built around this kind of railway history.
The Glacier Express only runs all year because of the Furka Base Tunnel, opened in 1982. Before it, the old mountain crossing shut every winter.
Can You Do the Glacier Express and Bernina Express Together?
Yes, and it is the choice we would point most people towards. The two trains share a section of track around Chur and St. Moritz, so they link into one trip without any awkward backtracking. The usual run is the Glacier Express between Zermatt and Chur or St. Moritz, then the Bernina Express onward over the Alps to Tirano. Done over two days rather than one, you get both of Switzerland’s great rail journeys back to back.
Doing Both on One Trip
You can technically ride both in a single day on certain dates, but it makes for a long, tiring haul with a tight connection and no time to enjoy either. Breaking the trip with an overnight stop is far better. A night in Chur, St. Moritz, or Pontresina lets you do the Glacier at its proper unhurried pace one day and the Bernina the next, fresh rather than frazzled.
The catch is the planning. Each train needs its own seat reservation, booked separately and well ahead, because the best window seats sell out. You need connecting trains that actually line up, a hotel in the right town for the right night, your luggage moving with you, and two separate reservations made across two different booking systems. Getting all of that to line up is the part that takes planning.
Why an Escorted Tour Makes Both Simple
This is where an escorted holiday earns its place. The reservations, the connection times, the hotels, and the luggage are all handled before you leave home, so the two trains become two relaxed days rather than a logistics puzzle you solve yourself. All you do is turn up and take your seat.
The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
The Bernina is the better choice for most people: more varied scenery, a manageable four hours, and lower cost. The Glacier is worth the extra if you want a full day and a proper meal at your seat.
Our advice is to do both. They share a stretch of track and cover opposite sides of the Alps. View Our Switzerland Rail Tours or request a free brochure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, the Bernina Express or the Glacier Express?
The Bernina is the better choice for most people. The Glacier is worth the extra cost if comfort and a full dining service matter to you. If you can fit both in, that is what we would suggest, and an escorted tour makes it straightforward.
What is the most beautiful train ride from Italy to Switzerland?
The Bernina Express is the one most people pick. It runs from Tirano in Italy up over the Bernina Pass to Chur, climbing from Mediterranean valleys past the Brusio spiral viaduct and Lago Bianco to the high Alps in about four hours, all on a UNESCO World Heritage line. For more of Switzerland’s most scenic rail routes, see our full guide.
Is the Bernina Express worth the money?
Yes. It is the cheaper of the two panoramic trains, with a seat reservation of CHF 40 to 44 in 2026 on top of a rail pass, or a point-to-point ticket of around CHF 125 in second class. For that you get the most varied scenery of any Swiss panoramic route in a manageable four hours.
Is the Glacier Express really worth it?
The Glacier Express is worth it if you want a full, comfortable day of scenery with dining at your seat. At eight hours it is an experience in itself. If you prefer something shorter or cheaper, the Bernina Express will suit you better.
Can you combine the Glacier Express and Bernina Express?
Yes. The two trains share a section around Chur and St. Moritz, so they connect into one trip, usually the Glacier Express to Chur or St. Moritz and then the Bernina Express on to Tirano. It is best done over two days with an overnight stop.
Do you need to book seats on the Glacier Express and Bernina Express?
Yes, a seat reservation is mandatory on both trains, even with a Swiss Travel Pass or other rail pass. Reservations open well in advance and the best window seats sell quickly. On an escorted Railtrail tour, these are arranged for you.
What is the highest point of each train?
The Glacier Express reaches its high point at the Oberalp Pass, 2,033m. The Bernina Express climbs higher, to Ospizio Bernina at 2,253m, the highest point on the line and the highest rail crossing in the Alps without a rack-and-pinion system.
Are the Glacier Express and Bernina Express suitable for older travellers?
Both are comfortable and seated throughout, which suits travellers who want the views without exertion. The main effort on an independent trip is the planning, the luggage, and the connections between stations. An escorted tour removes all of that, with a Tour Manager on hand and hotels and transfers arranged.
