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This website covers train travel in France and Italy.

France and Italy by Train

Your Guide to Train Travel in France & Italy: Paris to Rome Trains & More

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The Bernina Express From Paris to Rome

The route from Paris to Rome via the Bernina Express requires knowing key information provided in this article.

In Europe, slow travel is a luxury. You can, however, pull together a few unforgettable events if you have the time. Riding Switzerland’s Bernina Express when traveling from Paris to Rome by train is one such experience. This route passes through three nations, a lovely alpine city, and meets the charming Bernina Express rail line, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Article Contents show
I) Paris to the Bernina Express Via Chur
I.I) The Bernina Express From Paris Details
I.II) Our Favorite Hotels in Rome
I.III) Recommended Experiences in Rome
I.IV) Must-Do Tours in Rome
II) Paris to the Bernina Express Via Milan

Paris to the Bernina Express Via Chur

The Bernina Express, shown here, crosses the magical Swiss Alps and is one of the world's great rail adventures.
The Bernina Express ascends the impossibly beautiful Brusio Spiral Viaduct.

The Bernina Express leaves from mellow Chur, the country’s oldest city, and travels across alpine glaciers towards Italy. Panorama views are available through observation windows as you go through the mountains, which reach a height of 7,392 feet (2,253 meters). As you travel through the unimaginably stunning alpine terrain, an English audio tour brings everything to life.

There is a catch. This is a long journey requiring an overnight stop in Chur (Zurich and Basel are also options) and at least six train changes. It is a route for travelers with time on their side and who want to experience one of the exceptional European rail experiences. But for those adventurous travelers looking for the most-unique train from Paris to Italy via Switzerland, this is the route for you.

The quickest route looks like this: Paris > Basel > Zurich > Chur > Tirano > Colico > Milan > Rome. (Full booking links are below.)

Furthermore, you need to get busy on the internet to make this journey a reality as tickets are booked separately. From Paris to Chur with SNCF, the Bernina Express via Swiss SBB or DB German Railways, and connecting regional service from Tirano to Rome via Trenitalia. Or for a small, very-worthwhile fee, you can book the entire journey on one website and save your e-tickets on one mobile app using Omio.

You can also start in St Moritz in Switzerland and terminate in Lugano in Italy, but this will add time and expense to the journey. An additional daily service is available from St Moritz.

The Bernina Express From Paris Details

  • Why choose this route? For an unforgettable adventure with striking views and a stupefying Swiss Alps stopover.
  • Prices: Starting at around €220 for all three tickets, this is not the cheapest Paris to Rome train price. As usual, early booking will save money. You must reserve seats for the Bernina Express, which can be done online or via their booking line, up to three months in advance. A supplementary fee of €20-25 is chargeable for reservations. First-class upgrades are available on every leg of the journey. They will add approximately €110 to the total train from Paris to Rome cost. If you only want 1st class for the Bernina Express, upgrades start at €36.
  • Frequency:
    • Paris to Chur – 17 services daily. Journeys range from 6-6.5 hours, with 2 to 3 changes.
    • Chur to Tirano – twice daily (morning and afternoon).
    • Tirano to Rome – hourly.
  • Duration: 18+ hours rail journey time excluding overnight stopover in Switzerland.  
  • Online Booking:
    • *Book all legs in one easy-to-use app called Omio:
      • Paris to Chur
      • Bernina Express
      • Chur to Tirano
      • Tirano to Rome
    • Book Direct:
      • Paris to Chur: SNCF
      • Bernina Express: Rhaetian
      • Chur to Tirano: OBB
      • Tirano to Rome: Trenitalia

Our Favorite Hotels in Rome

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NH Collection Roma Fori Imperiali

“Centrally located, able to walk everywhere. Beautiful rooms, professional staff. Amazing views from roof top terrace.”

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Otivm Hotel

“The service and staff are incredible! Always supportive and kind. The rooftop bar is really good, and the sunset is amazing. The location is great, we walked to all tourist places.”

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Stay at the Palazzo Galla in Rome during a Rome to Verona by train journey.

H10 Palazzo Galla

“Really great hotel in the best part of Rome. This is really the BEST location in Rome, I’m there every year, and tried everything. The hotel is brand new. Rooms are nice and reasonably good size.”

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See More Hotels >>

Recommended Experiences in Rome

See more experiences >>

Must-Do Tours in Rome

See more tours >>

Paris to the Bernina Express Via Milan

Another option for reaching the Bernina when traveling between Paris and Rome is overnighting in Milan, then day-tripping to Chur for the Bernina experience. Technically, it’s temporarily backtracking. But with so many daily high-speed connections from Paris to Milan, the overall journey is simpler and a bit shorter than traveling into Switzerland. Also, for those interested in a night (or two!) in Milan, this option is a no-brainer. Peruse some options below:

Related Reading:

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The Paris to Munich rail route features one daily nonstop operated by French railway, SNCF.

Paris to Munich by Train

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Paris to Rome

Tickets, times and route options for paris to rome trains.

Paris to Rome by Train

Tickets, timetables and routes for rome to paris by train.

Rome to Paris by Train

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Train Travel in France and Italy for First Timers: An Overview

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