Sometimes, it’s a good idea to make a trip about the journey rather than the destination. Take riding the Bernina Express as the perfect example.
Online gaming site Rant Casino released its analysis of the most Instagrammed luxury train journeys around the world and named the Bernina Express the winner with more than 96,000 tags.
It’s no surprise the train is so popular with social media users. After all, it boasts some seriously cool stats, like the fact that it’s the highest railway track in Europe, and is the steepest railway on earth. And, as its website explains, the train journey also passes through “55 tunnels and over 196 bridges.”
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The 2.5-hour journey connects Chur and St.Moritz in Switzerland to Tirano, Italy, traversing the Swiss Alps.
The Bernina Railway website explains that there are two trains for people to choose from on the line: the regional Bernina Red Train and the Bernina Express. The former offers intermediate stops along the route, regular windows that can open from the inside, and unlimited availability. The latter offers larger windows that span almost the entire wall of the train, however, they are unopenable, and guests cannot get on and off the train for this one. Seat reservations are also necessary on the Express but not mandatory on the regional. While you can’t open the windows on the Express, if you’re looking for views, it’s the train to take.
Though really, you won’t want to get off the Express train anyway, as it meanders through glacier-topped mountains, down to deep gorges, beside glittering azure lakes, and through massive fields while in transit. The train peaks at the Bernina Pass at a staggering 7,545 feet.
While the railway is open for rides year-round, it is best known for its scenic winter rides, which plow through the deep snow, providing a picturesque scene at every turn.
Despite being one of the most well-known trains on earth, one-way tickets from Chur to Tirano still begin at just €63 (about $68) per person, while tickets from St. Mortiz to Tirano will set you back just €32 (about $33) one-way. See more about the train ride and book your ticket here.