What are Bernina and Albula Lines?
The Bernina Red and Albula lines are train lines connecting Chur and St.Moritz in Switzerland with Tirano in Italy, by crossing the Swiss Alps, and are operated by RhB (the Rhaetian Railway). These routes were declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2008.
Here is a short breakdown of what these train lines offer:
• Openable windows
• Free-to-choose times of departure from each station;
• Free Seating – without seat reservation
These trains have both a 2nd and a 1st class.
Please keep in mind that both classes do not include seat reservations or panoramic windows, these features are only available on the Bernina Express.
Stations and timetables of the Red Train
Bernina Line:
The Tirano Station is located at Piazza delle Stazioni, 22 in Tirano.
The St.Moritz Station is located at the Bahnhofsplatz in St.Moritz.
On the St. Moritz line, the Bernina Red Train departs at various times throughout the day both from Tirano and from St. Moritz, which stay the same throughout the year without exception. These times are as follows:
– From Tirano to St. Moritz: 07:41, 08:58, 09:41, 11:00, 11:41, 13:00, 13:41, 15:00, 15:41, 17:00 and 17:41;
– From St. Moritz to Tirano: 08:48, 09:48, 10:48, 11:48, 12:48, 13:48, 14:48, 15:48, and 16:48.
The trip from Tirano to St. Moritz, or vice versa, is about 2 hours and 20 minutes long. The return way will also have the same duration, meaning that the total duration of the two-way trip is 4 hours and 40 minutes.
With the regular Red Train tickets, you can freely choose any of the times listed above for your trip, this is possible due to these tickets being valid for an entire day. There is no seat reservation.
A detailed timetable will be included alongside the tickets.
Albula Line:
The Chur Station is located at the Bahnhofplatz in Chur.
The St.Moritz Station is located at the Bahnhofsplatz in St.Moritz.
The times of departure are as follows:
– From Chur to St. Moritz: 07:58, 08:58, 09:58, 10:58, 11:58,12:58. 13:58, 14:58, 16:58 and 17:58;
– From St. Moritz to Chur: 07:05, 08:05, 09:05, 10:05, 11:05, 12:05, 13:05, 14:05, 15:05, 16:05 and 17:05.
The trip from Chur to St Moritz, or vice versa, is about 1 hour and 55 minutes long. The return way will also have the same duration, meaning that the total duration of the two- way trip is 3 hours and 50 minutes.
With the regular Red Train tickets, you can freely choose any of the times listed above for your trip, this is possible due to these tickets being valid for an entire day. There is no seat reservation.
A detailed timetable will be included alongside the tickets.
Bernina + Albula line
The Tirano Station is located at Piazza delle Stazioni, 22 in Tirano.
The Chur Station is located at the Bahnhofplatz in Chur.
The times of departure are as follows:
– From Tirano, 07:41, 08:58, 09:41, 11:00, 11:41, 13:00, 13:41, 15:00, 15:41, 17:00 and 17.41;
– From Chur, 07:58, 08:58, 09:58, 10:58, 11:58, 12:58, 13:58, 14:58.
Mind that, trains on the Tirano – Chur and Chur – Tirano line do not stop at St Moritz, also with these times, you’ll have to change trains at the stations of Pontresina and Samedan (a detailed timetable will be included alongside the tickets).
The trip from Tirano to Chur, or vice versa, is about 4 hours and 20 minutes long. The return way will also have the same duration, meaning that the total duration of the two- way trip is 8 hours and 40 minutes.
Since the roundtrip is long, it is advisable to split it in two days.
With the regular Red Train tickets, you can freely choose any of the times listed above for your trip, this is possible due to these tickets being valid for an entire day. There is no seat reservation.
A detailed timetable will be included alongside the tickets.
Why should I buy the tickets online?
By buying the tickets online (SEE THE TICKETS PRICES ).
You’ll receive them directly by mail within 24 hours of the purchase: tickets will already be valid for the date selected, so all you’ll have to do on the day of the trip will be to arrive at the train station and board the regular Red Train. You won’t need to validate it at the train station: online tickets can either be printed or kept on your smartphone; just remember to have them with you and be ready to show them to the train staff once they request you to.
What do I need to do to buy the tickets online?
To purchase the online tickets, you’ll need to have a credit card to complete the payment and to input the following information:
• Day of your trip;
• Names, surnames and dates of birth of the passengers;
• A working email address to receive the tickets (please make sure to write the correct one, as we won’t be able to send you the tickets otherwise).
Where and how can I buy the online tickets?
The online tickets can be bought on this website: just go to the ticket section, choose the line you want to travel on and input the day of the trip and the number of adult and youth passengers (infants 0-5 years old are excluded from this, as they travel for free). You’ll also be able to choose whether to buy 2 nd or 1 st class tickets, and then to input the information necessary to issue them (email and passenger info) and to carry out the payment.
Please keep in mind that the 1 st class does not include seat reservations or panoramic windows, these features are only available on the Bernina Express.
