Bernina Express (Switzerland)

The Bernina Express is operated by the Rhätische Bahn/ Rhaetian Railway (RhB)

What makes the train unique is that is the only train that runs over both the Albula AND Bernina Railways - the only railways in Switzerland that are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
So it is the only train to provide direct Chur <> Tirano journeys.

So The Glacier Express does not operate over The Bernina Railway between St Moritz and Tirano, but The Bernina Express DOES - and arguably this Bernina line is more spectacular than any part of the Glacier Express Route.

(1) Like the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express uses special panoramic coaches with extra large windows.
Though the newer RhB regular trains between St Moritz and Tirano also have large windows, bigger than on the older regular trains.

(2) Regular coaches, with cheaper ticket prices, are also typically available on Bernina Express departures.

(3) If you have a valid Eurail, InterRail or Swiss Travel Pass you can travel in the observation cars on The Bernina Express if you pay a supplementary charge.
But if you will be using a rail pass, you can board into the ordinary coaches/cars without paying a supplement.

(4) There are direct Bernina Express trains in both directions between Chur and Tirano year round - in the summer season there are ALSO direct trains between Tirano and both Davos and St Moritz.

(5) The Bernina Express trains between Chur and Tirano don’t call at Davos or St Moritz.
However, easy connections to/from Davos are available at Filisur and simple connections are possible at Pontresina for winter journeys to/from St Moritz.

(6) You don’t have to take the Bernina Express to travel by train in either direction between Chur and Tirano.
Regular RhB trains operate on all parts of the route, but to make the Chur to Tirano journey by the other trains, connections have to be made in both Samedan AND Pontresina - though the transfers couldn’t be more straight forward.