Scenic rail journeys
Ride the famous red Bernina train over the Alps on a guided day trip from Milan, with free time in St. Moritz and a drive back over the Maloja Pass.
The Bernina line is one of the most beautiful train rides in Europe. In about two and a half hours, the little red train climbs from the vineyards of Tirano in Italy to glaciers and a high mountain lake at 2,253 metres, then rolls down into St. Moritz in Switzerland. It does it without a cog rail, on some of the steepest tracks of any regular railway.
Doing this on your own from Milan means early trains, tight connections and timetables in two countries. On this tour a coach takes you from Milano Centrale to Tirano, your train ticket is sorted, and a guide is with you through the day.
In St. Moritz you get a short guided walk and free time by the lake. Then the coach brings you back to Milan over the winding Maloja Pass.
A stone viaduct that loops in a full circle, so the train can climb in a narrow valley.
A tiny station high above the Poschiavo valley, looking across to the ice of Piz Palü.
The top of the line at 2,253 metres, where the train runs beside a turquoise mountain lake.
On the way down to the Engadin, the train curves past larch forest with a classic view of the glacier and the Bernina peaks.
The famous resort town on its own mountain lake, host of the Winter Olympics in 1928 and 1948.
On the way home, the road drops in tight hairpin bends into the Bregaglia valley, towards Italy.
Early morning
Meet your guide at Milano Centrale
Board the coach at Piazza Duca d’Aosta, in front of Milan’s central station. The exact start time is on your voucher.
About 1.5 hours
Coach along Lake Como to Colico
Head north out of Milan and up the eastern side of Lake Como, with a short break of about 15 minutes at Colico.
About 1.5 hours
Through the Valtellina to Tirano
Continue up the Valtellina valley, known for its terraced vineyards, to Tirano near the Swiss border.
About 45 minutes
Free time in Tirano
Stretch your legs before the train. In Tirano the railway runs right through the streets, past the pilgrimage church of Madonna di Tirano.
About 2.5 hours
The Bernina train to St. Moritz
The highlight of the day. Cross into Switzerland, loop around the Brusio viaduct, pass Alp Grüm and the Palü Glacier, reach the Bernina Pass beside Lago Bianco, then roll down past the Morteratsch Glacier into the Engadin valley.
About 1.5 hours
St. Moritz: guided walk and free time
See the centre with your guide, then enjoy the lake, the shops or lunch. St. Moritz hosted the Winter Olympics in 1928 and 1948.
Evening
Back to Milan over the Maloja Pass
The coach follows the Engadin lakes to Maloja for a short stop, then winds down the pass into Italy and back to Milan in the evening.
The Albula and Bernina lines of the Rhaetian Railway have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008.
Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
9 ways to ride the Bernina line, side by side. Choose by where you start, which train you want and whether you’d like a guide.
| Trip | Starts from | Train | Guide | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bernina Train Day Trip from Milan to St. Moritz This tripBack over the Maloja Pass | Milan | Red train or Bernina Express (set by the operator) | Yes, English | About 11 hours |
| Lake Como Cruise, St. Moritz and Bernina Red Train from MilanWith a Lake Como boat cruise | Milan | Red train, 2nd class | Yes, English and Spanish | About 13 hours |
| Bernina Express and St. Moritz Day Trip from ComoPanoramic seat guaranteed | Como | Bernina Express, panoramic | Escort, English and Italian | About 12–13 hours |
| Bernina Red Train and St. Moritz Day Trip from MilanGuided walks in Tirano and St. Moritz | Milan | Red train, 2nd class | Yes, English and Spanish | About 12 hours |
| Bernina Red Train and St. Moritz from Bergamo, Milan or LeccoAbout 2.5 hours in St. Moritz | Bergamo, Milan or Lecco | Red train, reserved carriage | Yes, English, Italian and Spanish | About 13 hours |
| Guided Bernina Red Train Tour to St. Moritz from MilanTime in Tirano and St. Moritz | Milan | Red train, 2nd class | Yes, English and Spanish, on the train | About 13 hours |
| Bernina Red Train Ticket from Tirano to St. MoritzAfternoon in St. Moritz | Tirano | Red train | No, ticket only | About 2.5 hours each way |
| Bernina Red Train Return Day Ticket: Tirano to St. MoritzStop along the way | Tirano | Red train | No, written mini-guide | About 2.5 hours each way |
| Bernina Red Train Ticket from St. Moritz to TiranoOne way or return | St. Moritz | Red train, 1st or 2nd class | No, ticket only | About 2.5 hours each way |
Milano Centrale station, Piazza Duca d’Aosta
Piazza Duca d’Aosta, 20124 Milan, Italy
Meet in the big square in front of Milan’s central station. Your voucher shows the exact spot and start time, so check it the day before and plan to arrive 15 minutes early.
This is a long day: about 11 hours, with several hours on a coach, a 2.5-hour train ride and a walk in St. Moritz. If you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility, ask the tour operator through our booking partner before you book.
The Bernina line runs all year, through green summers and snowy winters. Pick a date in the booking box to check availability. In winter, snow can slow the coach on mountain roads.
Milano Art Discovery
About 2.5 hours, from Tirano in Italy up to St. Moritz in Switzerland. The whole day trip from Milan takes about 11 hours.
You ride the Bernina line, the same route the Bernina Express takes between Tirano and St. Moritz, so the views are the same. Whether your group travels in a regular red train or a Bernina Express carriage is set by the tour company. If that matters to you, check the details for your option when you book.
At Piazza Duca d’Aosta, the big square in front of Milano Centrale station. Your voucher shows the exact meeting spot and time.
Yes. Bring a valid passport or national ID card, because you cross from Italy into Switzerland and back on the same day. Switzerland is part of the Schengen area, but check the entry rules for your nationality before you travel.
About 1.5 hours, including a short guided walk. That is enough for the lake, a coffee or lunch, but not for a cable car up the mountains.
Yes. The Bernina line runs all year, and in winter the pass is deep in snow. Dress warmly, and expect that snow can slow the coach on mountain roads.
Check the “Includes” list for your option when you book. If a meal isn’t listed, plan to eat in St. Moritz or bring a packed lunch.
Cancellation terms are shown before you pay. Many tours from our booking partner allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start; check the terms for this tour when you pick your date.
Yes. Take a regional train from Milano Centrale to Tirano (about 2.5 hours), then the Bernina line to St. Moritz (about 2.5 hours). You plan the connections and buy the tickets yourself. This tour adds a coach, a guide and a scenic way back over the Maloja Pass.
Milano Art Discovery, a tour company based in Milan, runs the day. You book and pay securely through our booking partner. St. Moritz Tours doesn’t run this tour; we explain it here to help you decide.
Details checked on . Tour details can change, and the booking page always shows the current information before you pay.
Scenic rail journeys
Scenic rail journeys
Scenic rail journeys