While Switzerland is famous for its rail beauty, the Bernina Express is widely considered the most scenic and dramatic train ride in the country. This UNESCO World Heritage route runs from Chur or St. Moritz down to Tirano in Italy, crossing the Alps from north to south. Unlike the Glacier Express, which is much longer and focuses on wide valleys, the Bernina Express features staggering verticality. It traverses the Landwasser Viaduct, climbs to the highest point of any rail crossing in Europe at Ospizio Bernina (2,253 meters), and spirals down the incredible Brusio Circular Viaduct. The journey takes passengers from ancient glaciers and high-alpine snowfields down to the palm trees and vineyards of Italy in just about four hours. The train features panoramic windows that curve into the ceiling, offering an unobstructed view of the sheer mountain walls and turquoise lakes. For those with a Japan Rail Pass or Swiss Travel Pass, this journey is often included, though a seat reservation is required during the busy summer and winter seasons. It is a masterpiece of early 20th-century engineering that remains unrivaled for its scenic transitions and architectural daring.