Bernina Express: An Alpine Traverse Passing Through 55 Tunnels and 196 Bridges Over 144km

The 'Bernina Express', which traverses the hidden gems of the Swiss Alps, provides a special experience where the running railway itself is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to a video from the YouTube channel 'Walk Travel', this express train travels a total of 144km from Chur, Switzerland, to Tirano, Italy, in about 4 hours and 30 minutes, guiding passengers through the deep hidden scenery of the Alps.

122km of Railway Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Medieval History

Approximately 122km of the section where the Bernina Express runs is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The official name is 'Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes', consisting of the Albula Railway, which opened in 1903 connecting Thusis Station to St. Moritz Station, and the Bernina Railway, which opened in 1910 connecting St. Moritz Station to Tirano Station. This route was officially listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

The train departs from Chur Station and moves along the Dominica Valley, located upstream of the Rhine, to Thusis Station, the starting point of the UNESCO section. This section consists of gentle plains and forest paths, and on top of the mountain peaks, there are ruins of medieval fortresses mainly built in the 1100s and 1200s. Because this valley was a key gateway connecting Italy and Northern Europe in the past, it holds a history where lords and bishops densely built fortresses to collect tolls and defend the passage.

Panoramic Windows and Dazzling Bridges Overcoming an 1,800m Altitude Difference

A feature of the Bernina Express is that all windows are designed as panoramic windows that curve up to the ceiling. Through these, passengers can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Alps in three dimensions. In particular, the section that climbs and descends an 1,800m altitude difference without a single cog rail, using only the friction of the wheels, demonstrates the technological prowess of this train. The journey continues to a section that runs through peaks as high as 2,253m, where perennial snow and magnificent glacial lakes meet.

The train passes through a total of 55 dark tunnels and 196 dizzying bridges, showcasing various landscapes from the winter of perennial snow to the spring of the Mediterranean Sea. In particular, the view when passing through grand arch bridges, such as the 19m deep Solis Viaduct located at an altitude of 800m and the 65m high Landwasser Viaduct, is breathtaking. Whenever passing major attractions, announcements are made inside the train to guide passengers on the history of the attraction and photography.

Swiss Prices and Train Interior Facilities and Usage Information

The Bernina Express is a representative panoramic mountain sightseeing train operated by the Rhaetian Railway in Switzerland, and it operates with 1st class and 2nd class. In 2nd class, seats are arranged in two rows of two, and small tables and trash cans are provided between the seats. There is a luggage compartment at the back of the carriage to store luggage, and toilets are installed between the carriages. A characteristic feature is that powder soap is provided in the toilets instead of liquid soap. Additionally, at the very back of the vehicle, one can enjoy the outside scenery through the rear of the train.

According to the video, the cost including seat reservation fees and ticket prices for an adult is around 200,000 won. If a family of four uses it, one can feel the high cost of living in Switzerland, as the train fare alone costs nearly 1,000,000 won. In the video, a person is shown purchasing simple food to eat on the train at a nearby mart before departing from Chur Station.