The Bernina Express is widely considered the most beautiful train journey connecting Italy and Switzerland. Running from Tirano, Italy, to Chur (or St. Moritz), Switzerland, this UNESCO World Heritage route takes passengers over the Alps through some of the most dramatic landscapes in Europe. The train features massive panoramic windows that allow for unobstructed views of glaciers, turquoise lakes, and towering peaks. A highlight of the journey is the Brusio Circular Viaduct, a spiral stone bridge that allows the train to descend into the valley with 360-degree views. Another famous contender is the Glacier Express, though it runs primarily within Switzerland; for the direct Italy-to-Switzerland connection, the Bernina Express is the "gold standard." It reaches heights of over 2,200 meters at the Ospizio Bernina before dropping into the palm-tree-lined valleys of northern Italy. The journey takes about four hours and offers a spectacular transition from Mediterranean warmth to Arctic-like glaciers, making it a "bucket-list" experience for rail enthusiasts and photographers alike in 2026.