Lake Como, Bernina Express & St. Moritz: Full-Day Tour from Milan

Ride the Bernina Express through the Alps after crossing Italy's highest vineyards

A full-day tour from Milan combines a lakeside stop in Varenna, a drive through the Valtellina's UNESCO vineyards, and the famous Bernina Red Train from Tirano to St. Moritz. You'll stroll Varenna's alleys, see the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Tirano, ride the train's panoramic route to Diavolezza, then explore St. Moritz before returning to Milan. An English-speaking guide travels with you. The train ticket is separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lake Como, Bernina Express & St. Moritz

• Visit Varenna village alleys
• Cross Valtellina UNESCO vineyards
• Visit Sanctuary of Madonna di Tirano
• Take Bernina Express to Diavolezza
• Drive to Sankt Moritz
• Stroll through St. Moritz town

The experience

The day starts in Milan and heads northeast to Varenna, a village on Lake Como's eastern shore where you'll walk through narrow alleys to find characteristic spots locals know. From there the route climbs inland into the Valtellina, a valley famous for terraced vineyards that climb so steeply they're now a UNESCO heritage site: the highest vineyards in Italy. You'll see apple orchards and small towns built into the slopes, and the guide will point out why this region became known for wine and food. The Sanctuary of the Madonna di Tirano sits at the valley's end, a baroque church worth a brief stop before you board the train.

The Bernina Express is the centerpiece: a red train that leaves Tirano and climbs into the Alps on a route engineered for the view. You'll ride to Diavolezza, a mountain pass where the train stops and you switch to a car for the final stretch to St. Moritz. The train itself is the journey: switchbacks, viaducts and tunnels carved through granite, with windows framing peaks and glaciers. St. Moritz sits in a high valley on the Swiss side of the border, a town built around winter sports and luxury hotels, and you'll have time to walk its main streets before the return drive to Milan begins in the late afternoon.

Bring a valid passport for the Swiss border. The tour runs 8 to 10 hours total, with an air-conditioned vehicle and a live English-speaking guide included. The Bernina Express ticket is not included and must be purchased separately. The same applies to lunch and any stops at local wineries along the Valtellina, though the route passes through wine country and the guide can suggest places to eat.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a live English-speaking guide for the full day.
• entry to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Tirano.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on site€ 385

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Welcome 2 Italy

Is this one for you?The day runs 8 to 10 hours with steady driving and several short walks through villages and towns, so it suits travelers comfortable with a full schedule and moderate walking. The Bernina Express ticket is purchased separately, so you control that cost and can confirm the train schedule before booking the tour around it.

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Top questions

What is the Bernina Express train like?

The Bernina Express is a scenic mountain train that climbs from Tirano into the Alps, famous for its viaducts, tunnels and switchbacks. You'll ride it to Diavolezza, where you transfer to a car for the final drive to St. Moritz, so the train itself is the highlight of the route rather than the whole journey.

Do I need a passport to go to St. Moritz?

Yes, you'll need a valid passport for border control. Switzerland is not part of the EU, so you'll pass through a checkpoint when crossing from Italy.

What is Varenna like?

Varenna is a small village on Lake Como's eastern shore, built on steep terrain with narrow alleys and lakefront views. The stop is short. You'll walk through the village to see its characteristic architecture and layout, not a full tour of the town.

What makes the Valtellina special?

The Valtellina is a valley famous for terraced vineyards that climb so steeply they're recognized as a UNESCO heritage site. The vineyards are the highest in Italy, and the region is also known for apple orchards and local food specialties, so the drive through it shows both the landscape and the agriculture that defines the area.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. The route passes through the Valtellina wine region and near Tirano, and the guide can suggest places to eat, but you'll arrange and pay for your own meal.

Can I visit a winery?

The tour passes through wine country, and there's a possibility of stopping at NERA wineries for a tasting, but this is not included in the standard tour and would be arranged separately with the guide.