Bernina Red Train: Swiss Alps & St Moritz Day Trip from Milan

Summary

Ride the Bernina Red Train into the Alps then stroll St Moritz’s quiet streets

You’ll start your journey in Milan before riding the legendary Bernina Red Train across the Swiss Alps with an expert guide by your side. Wander elegant St Moritz, taste local pastries or chocolate, snap photos through open windows, and soak up mountain air before heading back by coach. It’s a day of contrasts — city bustle to high-altitude calm — that leaves you quietly buzzing inside.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I booked the Bernina Red Train day trip from Milan mostly because I’d seen those bright red carriages winding through snow in photos and thought, “That can’t be real.” But standing on the platform in St Moritz with our little group, cold air stinging my cheeks and that weird mix of Italian and Swiss German floating around us, it hit me: this was going to be something different. Our guide, Paolo, handed out train tickets (he joked mine looked like a lottery winner’s slip) and pointed at the windows — they actually open for photos. I didn’t expect that detail to matter so much until I stuck my head out and felt the wind rush past my ears as we started moving.

The ride itself is kind of hypnotic. At first you’re just rolling through pine forests, but then suddenly there’s this light — almost blinding — bouncing off glaciers. You see lakes that look fake-blue and tiny villages tucked under huge mountains. Paolo kept popping by to point out things (“That’s Piz Bernina, highest peak in eastern Alps!”), but honestly sometimes I just zoned out watching everything blur by. It smelled like metal and pine needles mixed together, which sounds odd but… it works up there.

St Moritz itself surprised me — quieter than I expected for such a famous place. We wandered past fancy shops with window displays full of watches I’d never afford. There was this bakery where we tried Engadiner Nusstorte (nut cake), sweet and sticky; Li laughed when I tried to say it in German — probably butchered it. The air tasted clean in a way you don’t get in Milan. We had enough free time to just sit by the lake and watch old couples feed birds or take silly selfies with snow still clinging to their boots.

The coach ride back was mostly sleepy silence, except for a few people comparing chocolate bars from St Moritz (I still think about that hazelnut one). The whole day felt both long and too short at once — maybe it’s something about crossing borders without really noticing until you see all the languages change on signs. Anyway, if you’re even half-curious about seeing the Alps up close on a day trip from Milan, this is a wild way to do it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Milan to St Moritz and Bernina Train

• Depart Milan by coach
• Stop for breakfast
• Admire Lake Como landscape
• Arrive in St Moritz
• Short visit of St Moritz city
• Board Bernina Red Train
• Enjoy 2h 20m train ride
• Arrive in Tirano
• Return to Milan by coach

Top questions

How long is the Bernina Red Train ride?

The train ride lasts about 2 hours and 20 minutes between St Moritz and Tirano.

Is pickup included for this day trip from Milan?

Yes, round-trip transfers are included from Central Station (Excelsior Hotel Gallia) in Milan.

Do you get free time in St Moritz?

Yes, there is free time to explore St Moritz before boarding the Bernina Red Train.

Are explanations provided during the train journey?

Yes, an English-speaking tour leader gives explanations on board during the train ride.

What should I bring for border crossing?

You’ll need a valid passport or EU ID card for travel between Italy and Switzerland.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No set lunch is included, but you have free time in St Moritz to try pastries or chocolate at local shops.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; infants sit on an adult's lap.

Does this tour run year-round?

The tour runs most of the year but note many shops in St Moritz may be closed September–November.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip coach transfers from Milan Central Station (Excelsior Hotel Gallia), a second-class ticket for the Bernina Red Train with opening windows for photos between St Moritz and Tirano or Thusis (depending on option), free time to explore St Moritz at your own pace, explanations from an English-speaking professional guide throughout your journey, plus plenty of chances to sample local sweets or relax lakeside before returning by comfortable minibus or coach in the evening.