Bernina Express 3

We began to see snow as the train climbed higher towards Alp Grum.

Bernina Express 2

The Bernina Express route was declared a World Heritage Site in 2008. It passes the highest railway tracks in Europe and the steepest in the world (at 1 in 7). It crosses 196 bridges, travels through 55 tunnels and crosses the Bernina Pass at 2,253 m above sea level. It provides a four hour experience covering a distance of 144 km.

The distance and elevation of the train

Brusio Spiral Viaduct

(aerial view photo taken from Wikipedia)

Souvenir from Bernina Express

It also travel through many towns 

With tracks just beside the road

Going through a tunnel

Crossing a bridge

Running parallel to a road

Tirano

Tirano lies on the northern border of Italy. So we were in Italy and not Switzerland. Since we have been to Italy three times, we can now say that we have been to Italy for the fourth time.

Our train was at 1424

The journey to Chur is about four hours

Ristorante Vittoria

We had a quick lunch here while waiting for the train. Even though each plate of plain spaghetti costs €12, it was our cheapest meal during our stay in Switzerland (Tirano is in Italy not Switzerland).

Spaghetti (only) Aglio

Spaghetti (only) Carbonara

Bernina Express

We started the first leg of the Bernina Express by bus from Lugano to Tirano. The second leg of the journey is by train from Tirano to Chur.

The journey took three hours

Waiting for the bus

Part of the route lies on the Italian side of the border

Pit stop at Stop Bar

This pit stop is in Italy. 

Citta funicular

We took the funicular up to the station. This was the fourth and last time (hopefully not) we took this funicular. 

Lugano train station