The Bernina Categorical is a bucket listing prepare journey coated by the Swiss Journey Cross.
Think about sitting comfortably on this panoramic prepare, steadily climbing in direction of the very best level throughout gorgeous viaducts. In your palms is the Swiss Journey Cross, your finest journey companion on the Bernina Categorical.
The fabulous Bernina Categorical prepare journey is included within the Swiss Journey Cross. Which means that you’ll not have to purchase a separate ticket so long as you maintain a legitimate move.
On this informative overview, we’ll information you thru the ins and outs of utilizing the Swiss Journey Cross on the Bernina Categorical. Whether or not you wish to know how you can maximize your move’s worth, perceive the routes and schedules, obtain a Bernina Categorical map, or uncover hidden gems, we have you coated.
Understanding the Bernina Categorical
The Bernina Categorical holds a particular place in our hearts among the many premium panoramic trains of Switzerland. We have now devoted an final information to the Bernina Categorical that goes into nice depth about each side.
Right here’s a snapshot to get you up to the mark. The Bernina Categorical is a roughly 4-hour, 20-minute scenic prepare journey from japanese Switzerland to Italy. The slim gauge prepare shares the route between Chur and Samedan with its sister prepare, the Glacier Categorical. One of many highlights is the crossing of the Landwasser Viaduct, a UNESCO World Heritage website.
South of Pontresina, the Bernina Categorical climbs 2253 meters above sea degree at Ospizio Bernina, then descends via fir bushes right down to Tirano, Italy.

Touring with the Swiss Journey Cross on the Bernina Categorical
In case you have a Swiss Journey Cross, you are in luck! The move covers all the Bernina Categorical line from Switzerland to Italy.
There’s one caveat: the Swiss Journey Cross solely offers free rides on the often scheduled regional trains. In different phrases, you possibly can experience the identical tracks because the Bernina Categorical whereas seated on a neighborhood prepare with locals and different vacationers.
Insider tip: to improve your expertise on a neighborhood prepare, find an unreserved seat in one of many first-class compartments at both finish of the prepare.
The Allegra engines hauling the Bernina Categorical every have fashionable first-class sections with unreserved seats. These iconic purple engines are indicated by a yellow stripe, providing first-class seating on a first-come-first-served foundation.
This is useful throughout off-peak journey intervals. However we extremely advocate reserving a seat throughout most instances of the yr. The Bernina Categorical may be very in style amongst Swiss locals, who usually don’t reserve seats.
So, to completely benefit from the panoramic home windows and facilities of the Bernina Categorical prepare, you will have to buy a seat reservation. Whereas seat reservations incur a payment, that is essentially the most hassle-free method to make use of the Swiss Journey Cross on the Bernina Categorical.
Driving the Bernina Categorical with the Swiss Journey Cross
When embarking on a memorable journey on the Bernina Categorical, cautious planning is important to take advantage of this scenic prepare journey. Here’s a step-by-step instruction that will help you plan your journey:
1. Verify the Bernina Categorical Route
Familiarize your self with the Bernina Categorical route to know the totally different landscapes and iconic landmarks you’ll encounter. From Swiss farmland to raging rivers and high-alpine peaks to charming Engadine villages, the journey guarantees charming views at each flip.
2. Bernina Categorical First Class vs. Second Class Seats
The Bernina Categorical provides first and second-class compartments. Firstclass offers a extra luxurious expertise with fewer seats and further legroom. The second class nonetheless provides snug seating, but much less area and a extra inexpensive worth.
Briefly, the important thing distinction between first and second-class vehicles on trains is the seating format:
- First-class seats are organized 2 plus 1 throughout the automobile width. Tables for 2 are situated on both facet of the aisle.
- Second-class seats are organized 2 plus 2 throughout the automobile width. Tables for 2 on both facet of the aisle are shared amongst 4 passengers.

3. Selecting a Seat with the Finest Views
You may sit wherever you want on the Bernina Categorical, however the perfect views are on the right-hand facet of the prepare going south and the left-hand facet going north. Probably the most spectacular views embody the Brusio Spiral, the Ospizio Bernina space, and the Landwasser Viaduct.

And should you’re fortunate and discover a seat within the very entrance of an Allegra engine, the driving force would possibly go away their blinds as much as reveal a tremendous POV throughout their shoulder. Alternate home windows open extensive for contemporary air and reflection-free pictures. Because of this, many vacationers truly want the Allegra to the panoramic vehicles.
4. Make a Bernina Categorical Seat Reservation
To safe a assured spot on the panoramic carriages of the Bernina Categorical, we extremely advocate making a seat reservation upfront. That is very true throughout peak journey seasons when the prepare line can get crowded.
Though the Swiss Journey Cross covers your prepare fare, a separate reservation payment is required to safe your seat. Given the recognition of the Bernina Categorical, we advocate making your seat reservation as early as potential, particularly throughout peak journey seasons.
Seat reservations on the Bernina Categorical can be found 12 months earlier than the journey date. Kids underneath six who do not want their very own seats pay no reservation payment. Kids aged six to 16 should buy a baby ticket and pay for an grownup reservation.
Do not forget that seat reservations are topic to availability, so we advise reserving as early as potential, particularly throughout peak journey seasons. And word our recommendation on how you can experience in fashionable first-class seats with out a seat reservation.
5. Plan Connecting Trains
The Bernina Categorical journey from Chur to Tirano takes roughly 4 hours 20 minutes. On the day of your journey, arrive on the designated prepare station early to permit sufficient time for checking in.
If you’re planning to proceed your journey to Milan or different components of Switzerland, it is important to familiarize your self with prepare connections.
And eventually, it’s potential to hop off the Bernina Categorical wherever it stops. You may go to the prepare museum in Bergün, stroll via St. Moritz, or see the Morteratsch Glacier. When you get accomplished exploring, you possibly can simply proceed on an hourly regional prepare to the ultimate vacation spot. That method, you possibly can see locations alongside the route however full all the Bernina Categorical.

Are you able to experience the Bernina Categorical?
The Swiss Journey Cross is the final word ticket to discover the charming fantastic thing about the Bernina Categorical prepare line. With its panoramic home windows and breathtaking landscapes, this bucket listing prepare journey is actually an expertise of a lifetime.
Keep in mind, the Swiss Journey Cross covers the price of the prepare experience, providing you with the liberty to take a seat again, chill out, and take within the awe-inspiring views with out worrying about extra bills. You have to pay for the seat reservation or “hack” your Swiss Journey Cross by hopping on a neighborhood prepare with out necessary reservations…
FAQ
Utilizing the Swiss Journey Cross on the Bernina Categorical (2025) first appeared within the Newly Swissed On-line Journal