Bernina Express and Glacier Express from Milan: The Ultimate Alpine Rail Loop (2026)

Why combine both trains from Milan?

Most visitors choose one or the other but they shouldn’t have to. The Bernina Express and Glacier Express are the two most celebrated scenic railways in Switzerland.

Starting from Milan, you can ride both back to back with nothing but a single overnight stop in between. The route forms a natural loop: Milan → St. Moritz by Bernina Express → Zermatt by Glacier Express → back to Milan. Three days, two UNESCO World Heritage railways, four extraordinary landscapes.

It is the single most rewarding train journey you can do in the Alps.

Here’s how the two trains compare before we get into the logistics.

The Bernina Express and Glacier Express actually share the same track between St. Moritz and Chur, including the famous Landwasser Viaduct. So the loop isn’t just logistically clever: it takes you through the most scenic section twice, from opposite directions, in completely different light.

The 3-day itinerary: how it works in practice

Day 1 — Milan to St. Moritz via the Bernina Express

Morning: Milan → Tirano by regional train (~2h20)

Take the Trenord RE8 from Milano Centrale toward Tirano. The train departs several times in the morning — aim for the 06:20 or 07:20 departure to catch the morning Bernina Express. The journey follows the Valtellina Valley, climbing steadily through small Italian towns. Tickets price start from €12.50 one way.

👉 Book your Milan → Tirano train on Omio — compare times and prices

When you arrive in Tirano, cross the small square to the RhB (Rhaetian Railway) station — it takes about five minutes by foot.

Midday: Tirano → St. Moritz on the Bernina Express (~2h15)

This is where the journey begins in earnest. The Bernina Express departs Tirano and immediately loops over the Brusio circular viaduct — one of the most photographed moments in European rail travel. From there, it climbs steadily through the Poschiavo Valley, past the Morteratsch Glacier, and over the Bernina Pass at 2,253 metres, where Lake Bianco sits half-frozen even in early summer. The descent into the Engadin Valley brings you into St. Moritz.

Sit on the left side from Tirano for the best views of the Brusio viaduct and the glacier.

Seat reservation: CHF 32 (year-round for the Tirano-St. Moritz section). Book well in advance in summer as panoramic seats sell out weeks ahead.

Afternoon: St. Moritz

Arrive in St. Moritz by early afternoon. Walk the lake, explore the old village, and have dinner in one of the resort’s restaurants. St. Moritz is worth a proper evening so don’t rush it.

Overnight: St. Moritz or Pontresina (5 min away by train, significantly cheaper for hotels)

Day 2 — St. Moritz to Zermatt on the Glacier Express

The Glacier Express (~8 hours)

The Glacier Express departs St. Moritz at 08:38 (arriving Zermatt 17:07) and 09:38 (arriving Zermatt 18:07). Take the 08:38 if you want more time in Zermatt. This is the day’s only commitment and it’s a full one.

The train heads north from St. Moritz through the Albula Valley, past the Landwasser Viaduct, one of the great engineering icons of Alpine railways then west through Chur and into the high-Alpine world of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn. The Oberalppass at 2,033 metres is the highest point. The Rhone Gorge narrows to a crack in the rock. And then, eight hours after departure, Zermatt appears at the end of the valley with the Matterhorn behind it.

Sit on the left side departing from St. Moritz for the best views of the Rhine Gorge and the Oberalp Pass descent.

The meal is good and included in most Excellence Class packages, or orderable à la carte in 1st and 2nd class.
Budget tip: bring your own snacks for 2nd class and save CHF 30–50.

👉 Book your Glacier Express seat reservation — opens 180 days before departure

Seat reservation: It is mandatory for all passengers.
The seat reservation costs around CHF 39–54 and varies by date.
For the Excellence Class, a CHF 540 supplement should be paid for the reservation of the seat.

Overnight: Zermatt

Spend the evening in Zermatt, a car-free and beautiful place, dominated by the Matterhorn. Even in summer, the mountain is worth photographing from the village at golden hour.

Day 3 — Zermatt back to Milan

Option A — Direct return (fastest, 4h)

Zermatt → Visp by Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (1h20), then Visp → Milan via Domodossola (2h40 to Milano Centrale by Eurocity train). Comfortable, scenic through the Simplon Pass, and straightforward.

Option B — Via Lucerne (most scenic, full day)

Zermatt → Visp → Brig → Lucerne (3h30), spend a few hours in Lucerne, then Lucerne → Milan (3h via Gotthard Base Tunnel). This journey allows you to add Lucerne to your trip with no extra cost on a Swiss Travel Pass.

👉 Book your Zermatt → Milan train on Omio

Can you do both Bernina Express and Glacier Express in one day from Milan?

Yes but it’s a very long day that requires an early start. Some guided tours from Milan do the Bernina Express (St. Moritz → Tirano) plus the Albula Line (St. Moritz → Chur) in the same day by coach. The Albula Line between St. Moritz and Chur is the section shared with the Glacier Express and is equally spectacular.

If you only have one day from Milan, the Bernina Express is the natural choice — the Tirano connection makes it much more accessible. For the full Glacier Express experience (Zermatt to St. Moritz), you need at least one overnight.

Tickets, reservations and how to book

Bernina Express — key facts

Route from Milan: Regional train Milan → Tirano (~2h20, €12.50), then Bernina Express Tirano → St. Moritz (~2h15)

Ticket: Covered by Swiss Travel Pass from Tirano onward. Milan → Tirano not covered (Italian train)

Seat reservation: CHF 32 (Tirano–St. Moritz, year-round). Mandatory

Glacier Express — key facts

Route: St. Moritz → Zermatt (or reverse)

Duration: ~8 hours

Ticket: Covered by Swiss Travel Pass. Without pass: CHF 159 (2nd class) / CHF 272 (1st class) for the full Zermatt–St. Moritz route

Seat reservation: CHF 49 high season / CHF 39 low season. Mandatory

No service: 11 October to 4 December 2026. Plan accordingly

Booking: Book as early as possible in summer as the train sells out completely on peak days.

With a Swiss Travel Pass

The Swiss Travel Pass covers all Swiss train legs : Bernina Express and Glacier Express, and connections in Switzerland. You only pay for mandatory seat reservations. For 3 days of Swiss rail travel, the 3-day Swiss Travel Pass is almost always cheaper than point-to-point tickets. See my Swiss Travel Pass guide to compare.

Guided tours — the all-in-one option

If you’d prefer not to coordinate the logistics, several operators offer guided multi-day packages combining the Bernina Express and Glacier Express from Milan, with hotels, seat reservations and transfers included.

👉 Browse Bernina + Glacier Express packages from Milan on GetYourGuide

FAQ – Bernina Express and Glacier Express fron Milan

Can I do the Bernina Express and Glacier Express in the same trip from Milan?

Yes and it’s one of the best ways to see Switzerland. The natural loop is: Milan → Tirano → St. Moritz (Bernina Express) → Zermatt (Glacier Express) → back to Milan via Visp and Domodossola. Three days is the minimum; four days is more comfortable and allows more time in St. Moritz and Zermatt.

Which train should I do first — Bernina Express or the Glacier Express?

Start with the Bernina Express. The Tirano connection from Milan makes it the natural entry point into Switzerland from the south. You ride the Bernina Express north to St. Moritz, then the Glacier Express west to Zermatt. The logical direction of travel also means you finish in Zermatt, which is a spectacular place to end a Swiss rail adventure before returning to Milan via Visp.

Do the Bernina Express and Glacier Express share any track?

Yes between St. Moritz and Chur, both trains use the same Albula Railway (also UNESCO World Heritage listed). The famous Landwasser Viaduct is on this shared section. If you ride both trains, you cross this viaduct twice : once on each train, in opposite directions.

Is there a direct train from Milan to Zermatt?

No direct train exists. The most scenic route is Milan → Tirano → St. Moritz (Bernina Express) → Zermatt (Glacier Express). The fastest route is Milan → Domodossola → Visp → Zermatt by regular trains (~3h30), but it misses all the scenery. So don’t take the fast route.

When is the best time to combine both trains from Milan?

May to early October is the ideal window. The reason is that the Glacier Express runs its full summer schedule, the Bernina Pass is snow-free, and both panoramic trains are operating normally. The Glacier Express does not run from 11 October to 4 December 2026. In winter (December to April), both trains run but the Glacier Express schedule is reduced and some high-altitude sections can be affected by weather.

How far in advance should I book?

For summer travel (June–August): book seat reservations as early as possible — 3 to 6 months in advance for the Bernina Express and Glacier Express combined is not excessive. Peak summer weekends sell out. For spring (May) and autumn (September–October): 4–8 weeks in advance is usually sufficient.

Can I do this trip with just a Swiss Travel Pass?

Almost entirely, yes. The Swiss Travel Pass covers all Swiss rail legs (Bernina Express and Glacier Express, all connections). You pay separately for: (1) the Italian regional train Milan → Tirano (~€12.50), (2) Bernina Express seat reservation (CHF 32), (3) Glacier Express seat reservation (CHF 39–49), and (4) the Domodossola → Milan train on the return. Total extras: approximately CHF 80–100 on top of your pass.

Is St. Moritz worth an overnight stop?

Yes. Arriving in the afternoon and leaving the next morning on the Glacier Express gives you an evening and morning in St. Moritz, enough to walk the lake, explore the village, and have a good dinner. It’s expensive but not impossible on a reasonable budget, especially if you stay in Pontresina (5 minutes by train).

What’s the difference between the Bernina Express and the regional Bernina train?

The regional RhB train runs on the same tracks as the Bernina Express but without a mandatory seat reservation or panoramic carriage surcharge. It costs less and is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass without extras. The trade-off: standard carriages with smaller windows and no guaranteed seat. In summer, the panoramic Bernina Express is worth the reservation as the windows are extraordinary. Off-season or on a tight budget, the regional train is a legitimate alternative.

Ready to book?

Two UNESCO World Heritage railways. One loop from Milan. Three days that stay with you.

👉 Book Milan → Tirano train tickets on Omio — first step of the loop

👉 Book Zermatt → Milan return train on Omio

Bernina Express and Glacier Express from Milan: The Ultimate Alpine Rail Loop (2026)