Sometimes, a journey can be just as memorable as the destination, and that’s certainly true for the Bernina Express. Named the most Instagrammed luxury train ride in the world by Travel and Leisure, this Swiss-Italian train adventure has racked up over 96,000 tags — and for good reason.
The Bernina Express boasts impressive stats, such as being the highest railway track in Europe and the steepest in the world. The train ride covers 55 tunnels and 196 bridges as it winds through the breathtaking Swiss Alps. The 2.5-hour journey connects Chur and St. Moritz in Switzerland to Tirano, Italy, offering spectacular views throughout.
Travelers have two options: the Bernina Red Train, which allows for intermediate stops and has windows that open, or the Bernina Express, featuring panoramic windows spanning nearly the entire wall. While the Express doesn’t allow passengers to disembark or open the windows, it offers uninterrupted views of glacier-capped mountains, deep gorges, and shimmering lakes as it ascends to the Bernina Pass at a towering 7,545 feet.
Though it’s stunning year-round, the Bernina Express is especially popular in winter, with the train cutting through deep snow, creating postcard-perfect scenes at every turn.
Despite its luxury reputation, the Bernina Express remains affordable, with tickets from Chur to Tirano starting at just €63 (about $68), and from St. Moritz to Tirano for €32 (about $33). Don’t forget your camera — this is one ride you’ll want to capture.
