The RhB (Ferrovia Retica) has introduced a premium travel option on the famous Bernina Express route that runs from St. Moritz to Tirano. Operating between 1 June and 25 October 2026, the new Pullman Class places a maximum of 32 guests in a lovingly restored Art Déco salon car from the 1930s. The idea is to combine the spectacle of a UNESCO World Heritage railway with carefully curated hospitality: the historical ambiance of teak wood panelling and bow windows meets modern comforts and attentive service. The Pullman Class is marketed as an immersive, small-group way to cross the Alps while enjoying enhanced food, commentary and exclusive carriage access.
What the Pullman Class brings to the Bernina line
The Pullman offering places a different emphasis on the Alpine journey: rather than mass transit, it presents the route as a destination in itself. The Bernina line links the high Engadin landscapes to the warmer slopes of the Valtellina, showcasing glaciers, alpine lakes and dramatic viaducts along the way. This section of RhB track is celebrated for its engineering feats—steep gradients conquered without rack-and-pinion mechanisms, panoramic curves and iconic bridges that make the route a global reference for mountain railways. With the Pullman Class, passengers gain privileged use of a restored historical carriage and access to an open-view wagon, while a multilingual guide enhances the scenery with cultural and technical context. The experience turns the passage into a slow, curated discovery rather than a simple transfer.
Carriage details and onboard service
Historic craftsmanship and contemporary hospitality are the pillars of this product. The Pullman car is finished in teak and period fittings, with comfortable armchairs and large bow windows that echo the golden age of rail travel. Service includes a dedicated concierge—a staff member whose role is to assist passengers throughout the day—and a multilingual guide who provides commentary in Italian, English and German. Drinks and bites are provided at the seats: an aperitif with Champagne and selected snacks on the outbound leg and coffee with petit fours on the return are part of the standard offering. The itinerary gives passengers access to the open panoramic carriage for unfiltered views; the open panoramic carriage is a distinct element that allows photos and fresh-air breaks during the run.
Capacity and atmosphere
Seating is deliberately limited to maintain an intimate atmosphere—only 32 guests per departure—so booking in advance is recommended. The small group size makes it easier for the concierge and guide to offer personalized attention, from explanations about structural landmarks to help with luggage and transfers. Each guest also receives printed route information and a small commemorative souvenir to mark the journey. The combination of a vintage salon car and contemporary service profiles the Pullman Class as a premium alternative for travellers who value comfort, history and a relaxed pace.
The culinary highlight: La Gatta winery in Valtellina
Food and wine play a central role in the Pullman Class itinerary. After arrival in Tirano, passengers are transferred to the La Gatta estate in the Valtellina for a three-course lunch with paired wines—an element included in every booking, whether travellers take a one-way crossing or a round-trip. The winery visit includes a guided cellar tour in Italian, English and German and is timed to create a seamless day: typical operation sees departure from St. Moritz at 9.17, arrival in Tirano at 11.32, a short transfer scheduled at 11.45 and arrival at the estate around 12.00. After the meal and tour, guests may return to Tirano at either 13.45 to enjoy some free time locally or at 15.15 if they prefer a later departure. The return Bernina Express departs Tirano at 16.06 and arrives back in St. Moritz at 18.25.
Practical choices and booking options
Travelers can select a single-leg crossing or a full-day round trip; both formats include the Pullman carriage experience, onboard catering, the La Gatta lunch and transfers to the estate, plus the concierge accompaniment and printed route materials. The service runs during the summer and early autumn window of 1 June to 25 October 2026, so availability is constrained by the small capacity. The Ferrovia Retica has framed this product as part of a wider strategy to promote sustainable, experience-led tourism along its network: initiatives such as the reopening of the Landwasser World on the Albula line (starting in May) complement the Pullman Class by offering new ways to engage with railway heritage and distribute visitor flows across the region. The Pullman product is thus both a luxury offering and a mechanism to celebrate and protect the UNESCO railway corridors.
Final notes
For travelers seeking a slow, styled crossing of the Alps with culinary emphasis and attentive service, the Bernina Express Pullman Class delivers a compact, memorable day trip that blends historical charm with modern comforts. The combination of a restored 1930s carriage, an expert guide, a dedicated concierge and a three-course lunch at La Gatta creates an itinerary that reads like a curated expedition rather than a timetable entry. Because capacity is intentionally limited and the season is defined, interested passengers should check availability and book early to secure a place on the selected date.
