St. Moritz Bernina Express Milan Panoramic Train Tour

Ride the Bernina Express through the Alps: Lake Bianco, Brusio Viaduct, and Piz Bernina from a panoramic window seat

A 13-hour tour from Milan combines coach travel to St. Moritz with a reserved seat aboard the Bernina Express panoramic train, descending through the Alps to Tirano with stops at Alp Grüm glacier terrace and the Brusio Spiral Viaduct. A professional English-speaking guide travels with the group. The panoramic carriage guarantees unobstructed views of snow-capped peaks, glaciers and the UNESCO World Heritage route. You spend roughly 2.5 hours in St. Moritz for shopping or local pastries, then board the train for the descent to Tirano, where time allows a visit to the Sanctuary of the Madonna and the historic centre before returning to Milan.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bernina Express tour from Milan

• Meet tour leader at newspaper kiosk
• Transit with no stop
• Coffee stop (not included)
• Free time in St. Moritz
• Board Bernina Express panoramic train
• Photograph mountain amphitheater
• Enjoy panorama at highest point
• View glacier from Alp Grüm terrace
• Ride over Brusio Spiral Viaduct
• Visit Tirano, last stop
• Return to meeting point in Milan

The experience

The day starts at Piazza della Repubblica in Milan, where you meet the tour leader and board an air-conditioned coach for the drive toward the Swiss Alps. A coffee stop breaks the journey before you arrive in St. Moritz, the glamorous Alpine resort where you have free time to walk the main street, browse shops or taste local sweets at one of the pastry cafés. The real centerpiece is the Bernina Express: a narrow-gauge railway engineered to climb to 2,253 metres on the Bernina Pass, one of Europe's highest railway crossings. Your reserved seat in the panoramic carriage means large windows frame every moment: Lake Bianco's turquoise water, the Brusio Spiral Viaduct's engineering marvel, and views of Piz Bernina at 4,049 metres.

The train traverses a UNESCO World Heritage route that descends from the pass into the Valtellina valley. Alp Grüm, a glacier-front terrace partway down, offers a quiet moment to absorb the landscape and photograph Piz Palü. The Brusio Viaduct (a helical structure the train spirals through) is an Instagram landmark in itself. Your guide remains with the group throughout, narrating in English and Italian. The journey ends in Tirano, a small Italian border town where you visit the Sanctuary of the Madonna and walk the historic centre before the coach returns you to Milan.

Bring comfortable walking shoes and a light layer for the Alps, where weather shifts quickly. A valid passport or ID is required for the Swiss border crossing. The panoramic carriage is guaranteed with this option. If you prefer standard seating, that choice is available at checkout. From late October through February, afternoon light fades earlier in the mountains, though the train journey and Alpine scenery remain extraordinary year-round.

What’s included

• Round-trip air-conditioned coach transfer from Milan (Piazza della Repubblica).
• Bernina Express ticket with reserved panoramic carriage seating.
• professional multilingual guide in English and Italian throughout the day.
• stop in Tirano with entry to the Sanctuary of the Madonna and time to explore the historic centre.
• approximately 2.5 hours of free time in St. Moritz.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 09:00

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (25 and older) · Child (6 to 24 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupUp to 50 · max 6 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by FRIGERIO VIAGGI SRL

Is this one for you?Choose the panoramic carriage option if you want unobstructed views of the Alps and the UNESCO heritage route from your seat. Standard seating is available at a lower price if you prefer to travel without the window guarantee. The 13-hour day suits travelers who are comfortable with coach travel and can walk comfortably in mountain terrain. It is not recommended for those with poor cardiovascular health.

Traveler reviews

4.26★★★★★★★★★★

276 verified traveler reviews

5 ★186

4 ★33

3 ★21

2 ★15

1 ★21

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 24 years); Infant (under 6).

What is the Bernina Express and why is it famous?

The Bernina Express is a narrow-gauge railway crossing the Alps on a UNESCO World Heritage route, climbing to 2,253 metres on the Bernina Pass: one of Europe's highest railway points. It is known for engineering feats like the Brusio Spiral Viaduct and for the dramatic Alpine scenery visible from its windows: glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and turquoise mountain lakes.

How much time do I have in St. Moritz, and what can I do there?

You have approximately 2.5 hours in St. Moritz. The itinerary suggests a stroll on the main street, shopping, or a tasting at one of the local pastry cafés. A coffee stop during the coach journey is available but not included in the tour price.

What stops does the train make between St. Moritz and Tirano?

The Bernina Express stops at Alp Grüm, a glacier terrace where you can view Piz Palü, and passes through the Brusio Spiral Viaduct, an iconic engineering landmark. The train also passes Lake Bianco and reaches the Bernina Pass at its highest point before descending to Tirano.

Do I need a passport for this tour?

Yes, a valid passport or ID is required because the tour crosses the Swiss border. You will need it when boarding the coach in Milan and when entering Switzerland.

Is the panoramic carriage guaranteed, and can I upgrade on the train?

The panoramic carriage is guaranteed with this option, so your seat is reserved in the carriage with large windows. First-class seating on the Bernina Express can be requested on board, subject to availability.