Glacier Express vs Bernina Express: Which Panoramic Train is Right for You?

Switzerland is not short of scenic train journeys, and the Glacier Express and Bernina Express are two of the best. But which of these panoramic trains is right for you?

I’ve done both, so I can help. In fact, I liked the Bernina route so much that I went back and did it again on the local trains, partly because, as a certified train obsessive, I needed to know what I was missing without the panoramic windows. (Spoiler: not that much)

Both of these trains are brilliant. I am not going to pretend one is objectively better, because that depends entirely on your trip, your budget and how you feel about sitting on a train for the best part of eight hours. But I can tell you exactly what to expect from each one, what the differences are and which type of traveller suits which journey.

I also have full separate guides to the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express on the website, so once you have made your decision, those will give you everything you need to book (links at the end of this guide).

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Quick Comparison: Glacier Express vs Bernina Express

Prices correct as of 2026 but always check the official sites before booking, as these things shift.

The Routes: Where Do They Go?

Glacier Express route

The Glacier Express runs between Zermatt and St. Moritz, covering 180 miles through the heart of the Swiss Alps. The route crosses 291 bridges and goes through 91 tunnels, cresting at the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 metres.

The highlights are the Rhine Gorge (often compared to a Swiss version of the Grand Canyon), the Landwasser Viaduct and long views over Alpine valleys.

The scenery is consistently lovely throughout. Think wide, sweeping landscapes rather than anything that is going to make your jaw drop.

Bernina Express route

The Bernina Express runs from Chur in Switzerland (or St. Moritz, which is a shorter segment) down to Tirano in northern Italy. This is a UNESCO World Heritage railway, recognised as an outstanding example of railway engineering.

You also get the Landwasser Viaduct but much more besides. Climbing over the Bernina Pass, the train reaches the lakes at Ospizio Bernina. At 2,253 metres, this is the highest point on any Swiss mountain railway.

The Bernina Express makes a brief stop at Alp Grüm – you can get out of the train to take photos –  before travelling through Val Poschiavo, passing the turquoise Lago di Poschiavo.

Before crossing into Italy you are treated to the railway’s greatest engineering feat: the Brusio spiral viaduct, where the train makes a full 360-degree loop to manage the steep descent (the image at the top of this guide). You go from glaciers to Tirano’s Mediterranean light in in under two hours.

Which Has Better Scenery?

In my opinion, the Bernina Express is the clear winner.

The Glacier Express is beautiful; don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. But over a touch under eight hours, the landscapes can start to feel a little samey, and there are stretches through flat valley floors that are, frankly, unremarkable.

The Bernina Express hits harder and faster. In four hours, you get glaciers, a high mountain pass, that extraordinary spiral viaduct and then a total landscape shift into Italy. The scenery-per-hour ratio is higher, and the transitions feel more dramatic.

That said, the Glacier Express has a scenic trump card: the mighty Matterhorn. It’s hard to imagine a more spectacular start or finish to a train journey.

The Trains Themselves: What Is It Like Onboard?

Glacier Express

The Glacier Express feels more like a premium product. The trains are well-maintained and the panoramic windows curve up into the ceiling, so even window-seat losers get a decent view.

As there is a restaurant car, you can order a full meal, which I wholeheartedly recommend. Tucking into a dish of Beef Stroganoff, washed down with a glass of Blauburgunder, with the Alpine scenery as a backdrop, is one of my most treasured travel memories.

In short, the whole Glacier Express experience is designed to feel like an event rather than just a way to get between two places.

Bernina Express

The Bernina Express train is less fancy than the Glacier Express. The panoramic windows are large, but the carriages feel more like a very nice regular train than a luxury product. There are snacks and drinks available but no restaurant car.

Like the Glacier Express, you get a commentary on what you’re seeing.

How Much Does Each Train Cost?

Both trains work on the same principle: you need a valid train ticket plus a mandatory seat reservation on top of that. The ticket can be a point-to-point fare or covered by a rail pass (Swiss Travel Pass, Eurail or Interrail).

Glacier Express costs (2026)

• Full route Zermatt to St. Moritz: from CHF 159 (2nd class), CHF 272 (1st class)
• Seat reservation: CHF 54 per person (mandatory, not covered by any pass)
• Total without a pass: from CHF 213 in 2nd class

Bernina Express costs (2026)

• Full route Chur to Tirano: from CHF 66 (2nd class), CHF 113 (1st class)
• Seat reservation: CHF 40 / CHF 44 per person (seasonal pricing and mandatory, not covered by any pass)
• Total without a pass: from CHF 106 / CHF 110 in 2nd class

If you have a valid travel pass, it will set you back CHF 54 to ride the while Glacier Express route; CHF 40 or 44 for the Bernina Express, depending on when you travel.  

How Much Time Do You Need?

Glacier Express

Seven hours and forty-five minutes. You can break the trip and stop in the middle – Andermatt is a lovely stop if you want a two-day version – but you lose the one-seat epic if you do that.

I recommend staying at least one night at each end, in Zermatt and St. Moritz, to make the most of the trip (I stopped one night in St Moritz and two in Zermatt). That means the Glacier Express typically requires three days minimum to do it justice.

Bernina Express

Four hours and twenty minutes. This makes it much easier to slot into a broader Swiss itinerary. You can catch the morning train from Chur, arrive in Tirano for lunch, and connect onwards to Milan, Lake Como or anywhere in northern Italy.

The Bernina Express bus extension from Tirano to Lugano runs from March to October and turns the whole thing into a full Swiss north-to-south crossing. That is a quite a day out.

Glacier Express or Bernina Express: Which Swiss Panoramic Train Should You Take?

Here is the honest version.

Take the Glacier Express if…

• You love the idea of a leisurely train day with a proper meal and nowhere to be
• Zermatt and St. Moritz are already on your itinerary; this connects them beautifully
• You want the more premium, polished train experience
• You have three or more days to dedicate to this part of your trip
• The Matterhorn is on your bucket list

Take the Bernina Express if…

• You want more dramatic scenery in less time
• You are travelling from Switzerland into Italy and want to cross the Alps in style
• You are on a tighter budget
• Your itinerary only has half a day to spare for a scenic train
• You want the UNESCO bragging rights

Do both if…

…you are already committed to a comprehensive Swiss rail trip and have a travel pass. They cover different parts of Switzerland, so there is no duplication. The lines meet at St. Moritz and Chur, and if you’re still putting your Switzerland itinerary together, my guide to solo travel in Switzerland covers the best places to visit.

Another Option: Ride the Bernina Route on Local Trains

The Bernina Express panoramic carriages run on the same track as the regular scheduled trains operated by the Rhaetian Railway. If you board one of those regular trains from St. Moritz or Chur to Tirano, you will see every famous Bernina Express landscape highlight, and can hop on and off at will.

You do not get the audio commentary, and the windows do not curve into the ceiling. But the windows open, which is better for photography. And if you have a Swiss Travel Pass or Interrail pass, it costs you nothing extra.

Second-time around, I took local trains on the Bernina route, and I preferred it to the panoramic train. If you are budget-conscious, or if the Bernina Express reservations are sold out, this is an excellent alternative.

You can take also local trains on the Glacier Express route, but it’s a long day. Typically, you’ll need to change trains four times, and you’re looking at a ten-hour journey. If you want to take this approach, I suggest stopping overnight to break your journey (Andermatt would be my choice).

Practical Tips for Both Trains

Booking

• Book both as early as possible, especially in summer. Seat reservations sell out, espeicially for prized window seats.
• For the Bernina Express, book via the Rhaetian Railway website. Book the Glacier Express on the official Glacier Express site.
• Swiss Travel Pass or Interrail / Eurail Pass holders: the ticket is included but you still need to pay the reservation fee on the respective websites.

Which side to sit on

• Glacier Express: Sit on the right side from Zermatt, left if travelling from St. Moritz. This gives you the best Rhine Gorge views.
• Bernina Express: Sit on the right-hand side from Chur to Tirano for the best views of the Landwasser Viaduct, the Ospizio Bernina area and the Brusio spiral viaduct. The Lago di Poschiavo is the exception; that’s on the left.

What to bring

• A camera with a decent lens. The panoramic windows can cause glare, so a circular polarising filter helps.
• A portable charger. There are charging sockets but they can be unreliable on older carriages.
• Layers. The Bernina Pass can be cold even in summer.
• Something to eat if you are doing the Glacier Express and don’t want the restaurant car prices (Switzerland isn’t cheap). Snacks are essential if you are doing the Bernina Express (limited trolley service only). Head to a Migros or Coop before you board.

Best time of year

Both trains run year-round, though the Glacier Express does not run for around six weeks between October and December.

Summer gives you lush landscapes and the glacier at its most visible. Winter gives you a snow-covered, fairy tale version of everything, though this approached a complete white-out when I did the Bernina Express in winter.

My Honest Verdict

If I could only do one, I would pick the Bernina Express. The scenery is more varied and dramatic for the time involved, the UNESCO designation is a nod to its status as a railway marvel, and you cross two countries.

But the Glacier Express is a different kind of experience. It is slower, more indulgent and designed around the idea of the journey being the point. If that sounds appealing and you have the time, do not skip it.

Both of these trains are among the best scenic rail journeys I have done anywhere in the world, and I have done a lot of them. Check out my full guides to each train for booking details, route breakdowns and tips:

• How to Do the Bernina Express
• My Top 10 Glacier Express Tips

About Bridget

Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.

Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.

To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.

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