Planning to take the Bernina express from Milan? In a single day, you can leave behind Milan’s streets, cross the Italian Alps, reach Switzerland, and ride one of the most spectacular train routes in the world, all before dinner.
The Bernina Express day trip from Milan is one of the best-kept secrets for visitors to northern Italy. It takes planning, an early start, and a little logistics know-how but the payoff is extraordinary.
Note: from Milan, you’ll board at Tirano and ride to St. Moritz, a 2h 15min section, not the full 4-hour Chur–Tirano route.
Here’s everything you need to know to make it work.
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Is the Bernina Express trip from Milan actually doable?
You’ll be out for around 13–14 hours depending on your chosen option. The journey involves roughly 5 hours of travel each way (including the Bernina Express itself), with 2–3 hours in St. Moritz in between.
If you’re comfortable with long travel days and you’re already staying in Milan, this is absolutely worth it. Most people who do it describe it as one of the highlights of their entire Italy trip.
There are two clear approaches, and which one suits you depends on how much you like planning things yourself.
Book an organised Bernina Express tour (recommended for most people)
This is the simplest option by far. Organised tours from Milan typically include:
- Return coach transfer from central Milan to Tirano (or St. Moritz)
- Your Bernina Express seat reservation
- A guided walk in St. Moritz
- Return transport back to Milan
You don’t need to worry about train schedules, seat reservations, or connections. Everything is handled for you and the guides are usually excellent.
Most tours depart between 6:30am and 8:00am from central Milan (usually near Piazza Cairoli or Stazione Centrale) and return by 9:00–10:00pm.
Check here the Bernina Express from Milan tours
What to look for when choosing a tour:
- Free cancellation is worth paying a little extra for — Swiss mountain weather can be unpredictable
- Check whether the Bernina Express seat is included (not just the coach)
- Look for tours that include the full Tirano–St. Moritz leg (not just a partial route)
DIY: do it independently by train
If you prefer flexibility and want to save money, you can organise the whole day yourself. It’s very doable, but requires planning.
Step 1 — Milan to Tirano by Trenord regional train
Take a Trenord RegioExpress RE8 from Milano Centrale to Tirano. The journey takes around 2h 30min, passes through the Valtellina Valley, and costs around €11.5 one way. Services run roughly every hour throughout the day, with the first departure at 6:20am.
Search Milan → Tirano train times and tickets on Omio
To do a comfortable day trip, aim to be on the 6:20am or 7:20am train from Milan. This gives you enough time to catch a morning Bernina Express departure from Tirano.
Step 2 — Transfer to the RhB station in Tirano
When you arrive at Tirano’s Italian station, you’ll need to cross a small square to reach the Rhaetian Railways (RhB) station. This is where the Bernina Express departs — it’s easy to find, just follow the red trains.
Step 3 — Tirano to St. Moritz on the Bernina Express
This is the highlight. The ride from Tirano to St. Moritz takes around 2h 15min and covers the most spectacular section of the route: the spiralling Brusio viaduct, the Bernina Pass at 2,253m, the Morteratsch glacier, and Lake Bianco.
A seat reservation is compulsory on top of the price ticket is needed. Book it directly on the RhB website as early as possible, especially if you’re travelling in summer.
Step 4 — Return from St. Moritz to Milan
From St. Moritz, take a train back to Tirano (or continue further to Chur for a more ambitious route), then a Trenord train back to Milan.
Book your return Milan ↔ Tirano train tickets on Omio
What you’ll see on the Bernina Express
The route from Tirano to St. Moritz may be just 2h 15min, but it packs in more extraordinary scenery than most full-day train journeys.
The Brusio viaduct — right out of Tirano, the train loops around a circular stone viaduct in a tight spiral. It’s one of the most photographed moments of the whole journey. Watch for it just a few minutes after departure.
The climb through the Alps — the train climbs steadily through forests, past waterfalls, and alongside the Poschiavo Valley. The gradient is steep; you’ll feel the train working hard.
Ospizio Bernina and Lake Bianco — at 2,253m, this is the highest point on the route. Lake Bianco sits right at the pass, often still half-frozen even in early summer. The landscape here is stark and almost lunar.
The Morteratsch Glacier — one of the largest glaciers in the Alps is visible from the train window. Even with glacial retreat, the views remain dramatic.
The descent into Engadin — as the train drops into the valley, the light changes, the villages become more Swiss, and you arrive into the wealthy resort world of St. Moritz.
Practical tips from the Bernina Express from Milan
Book your Bernina Express reservation early. In summer (June–August) and on weekends, the panoramic carriages fill up weeks in advance. You can book seat reservations up to 12 months ahead on the RhB website.
Sit on the left side (Tirano → St. Moritz direction) for the best views of the Brusio viaduct and the glacier. On the return journey, the right side gives you a different angle on the mountains.
Bring a snack. The Trenord regional train from Milan has no catering. There’s a small café at Tirano station if you need something before boarding the Bernina Express.
Dress in layers. The temperature at the Bernina Pass can be significantly cooler than Milan — even in summer. A light jacket is always a good idea.
Check the weather. Overcast conditions reduce the views significantly. If you have flexibility, check the forecast a day or two in advance. Clear days in the Alps are genuinely transformative.
Organised tour vs DIY: which should you choose?
If this is your first time and you just want the experience without the logistics headache, a guided tour is genuinely the better option. The guides add real context, the logistics are seamless, and the price difference is often worth it for a once-in-a-lifetime day.
See all Bernina Express from Milan day trips on GetYourGuide
If you’re a seasoned traveller who enjoys planning and wants to move at your own pace, DIY works well — and Omio makes it straightforward to book the Italian legs.
Search Milan → Tirano train times on Omio
FAQ for the Bernina Express from Milan trip
How long is the Bernina Express from Tirano to St. Moritz?
The journey takes approximately 2 hours 15 minutes on the full panoramic Bernina Express. On a regional train (without seat reservation), it’s a similar duration.
Do I need a visa to enter Switzerland from Italy?
Switzerland is not part of the EU but is in the Schengen Area. Most EU/EEA and many other passport holders can enter freely. Always check based on your nationality.
Can I do this trip in winter?
Yes the Bernina Express runs year-round, and the snowy winter landscape is stunning. That said, you’ll have fewer hours of daylight for the day trip, so plan your timings carefully.
Is the Bernina Express worth it just for the Tirano–St. Moritz leg?
Absolutely. The Tirano–St. Moritz section is the most spectacular part of the entire route. Even if you don’t continue to Chur, this section alone is worth the day trip from Milan.
Can I combine the Bernina Express with a visit to Lake Como?
Yes this is a popular combination. After arriving in Tirano, you can take a local train south toward Lecco and Lake Como before continuing to Milan. Check Trenord connections from Tirano toward Colico or Varenna for lake access.
How much does the Bernina Express seat reservation cost from Tirano to St. Moritz?
CHF 32 per person, year-round, for the St. Moritz–Tirano leg. This is on top of your base ticket (or free if you hold a Swiss Travel Pass). The longer Chur–Tirano route costs CHF 40 (low season) or CHF 44 (high season).
Whether you go with a guided tour or plan it yourself, the Bernina Express day trip from Milan is one of the best things you can do in northern Italy. Set an alarm, pack a jacket, and go.
