The Bernina Express at a glance
The Bernina Express is a scenic railway line from Graubünden across the Bernina area to Tirano in Italy. Two starting points are common: Chur, which is about 4 hours from Tirano, and St. Moritz, which is about 2 hours 15 minutes from Tirano. The line ends in Italy, so keep an identity document with you. This page covers the Swiss side of the trip and shows how visitors reach the line on a day trip from Milan or Como.
There is one change to note right now. Trains 951 and 952 are diverted via Vereina from 29 October to 13 November 2026. Do not count on the usual Albula sights on those departures, and ask the provider of your tour or ticket whether your date is affected.
Our picks: Bernina train days
Take the Como departure if you start at Lake Como, or a Milan departure for a second class ticket with opening windows. The small-group day is capped at 18 people, which suits you if you prefer a quieter trip.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in Swiss francs (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Bernina day trip from Como to St. Moritz and Tirano
- Panoramic carriage if option selected
- Round-trip coach transfer from Como
- Stop in Tirano
The Diavolezza lunch is included only with the matching option, and then there is no free time in St. Moritz. Without it you get about 2.5 hours there.
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Small-group Bernina train day trip from Milan
- Small group, max 18 people
- Bernina train ticket
- English speaking tour guide
Bring a valid paper passport, as the meeting point instructions require. Transport is by small bus.
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Bernina train day trip from Milan, second class
- 2nd class ticket, opening windows
- Free time in St. Moritz
- English speaking professional tour leader
The standard option runs between St. Moritz and Tirano, with explanations on board the train. A St. Moritz to Thusis option is also offered.
Check availability →Bernina and Swiss Alps train tours
Train journeys, guided day trips and activities in the Swiss Alps, with live prices and availability.
The route from Chur and St. Moritz to Tirano
Two ways to ride the same line.
From Chur the journey takes about 4 hours to Tirano and leads through Graubünden and the Engadin before the line climbs into the Bernina area. From St. Moritz the ride takes about 2 hours 15 minutes, which makes it the usual choice if you are already in the Engadin or travelling on a day tour. Both versions end at Tirano, in the Valtellina valley in Italy, so a return trip needs the same identity document on the way back.
On the regular route the line passes the Albula sights, but the diverted trains 951 and 952 run via Vereina until 13 November 2026 and do not offer them. If a particular view matters to you, choose a date outside that period or check with the provider first. For other panoramic lines and how they fit together, read our Swiss Alps train guide. The Glacier Express page covers the other well-known route, which is in its seasonal pause until 4 December 2026.
Day trips from Milan and Como
What each tour includes and what you still pay for.
Many visitors ride from Milan to St. Moritz on a guided day trip, and a few start in Como. A tour from Milan to the Swiss Alps takes care of the coach transfers, so you only need to follow the guide. The tours differ in the train ticket, the group size and the free time, so compare the table below with the description of the tour you book.
| Tour | Starts in | Included | Check before booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bernina tour with Alp Grüm and the Palü Glacier | Milan | Bernina train ticket, guide, coach from and to Milan, a walk on marked trails | Meals, drinks and hotel pick-up are extra, panoramic carriage not promised |
| Tour with opening windows | Milan, central station area | Second class ticket with opening windows between St. Moritz and Tirano, English-speaking tour leader, explanations on board, coach, free time in St. Moritz | The ticket depends on the option you choose |
| Small-group tour | Milan | Bernina train ticket, small bus, English-speaking guide, maximum 18 people | The meeting instructions ask for a valid passport |
| Day trip from Como | Como | Coach round trip, multilingual guide on board, a stop in Tirano, about 2.5 hours free time in St. Moritz | Panoramic carriage only with the panoramic option, no hotel pick-up |
The Como tour has two more details. A seat in the panoramic carriage is part of the tour only if you pick the panoramic option, and a reserved seat or a first class upgrade is not included. A lunch at Diavolezza belongs only to the option that includes it, and with that option the free time in St. Moritz drops out. In Tirano the tour stops at the sanctuary of the Madonna and the historic centre. Meals and entrance fees elsewhere are extra.
The tour with opening windows lets you open the window for photos along the line. The small-group tour is the one to look at if you prefer a smaller bus. All of these days are long, so take food, water and warm layers, and plan to pay for meals on the day.
Children, reservations and the Swiss Travel Pass
The three points that change the price.
Children
Children under 6 travel free. Children from 6 up to under 16 pay half the fare. Check the age rules of your tour separately, because a guided day trip sets its own conditions.
Seat reservation
A seat reservation on the Bernina Express carries the full surcharge, also for children who travel free or at half fare. The fare and the reservation are two separate items, so check the current price of both with the provider before you book.
Swiss Travel Pass
With a pass you still reserve a seat separately and pay the surcharge. Our Swiss Travel Pass guide explains what the pass covers and how the Swiss Half Fare Card and saver tickets compare.
St. Moritz
The northern end of the shorter section.
St. Moritz is the end point of the short Bernina Express section and the place where day tours give you free time. The Como tour lists about 2.5 hours there unless you choose the lunch option, and the tour from Milan with opening windows includes free time in St. Moritz as well. Use it for a meal and a walk before the train or coach takes you back, and keep an eye on the return time that your guide gives you.
If you plan to arrive from abroad first, our getting there guide shows the airports and train connections into the Alps.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Bernina Express take?
From Chur to Tirano it takes about 4 hours. From St. Moritz to Tirano it takes about 2 hours 15 minutes.
Do I need a passport for the Bernina Express?
The line ends in Tirano in Italy, so carry an identity document. One small-group tour from Milan asks for a valid passport at the meeting point.
Is a seat reservation included with the Swiss Travel Pass?
No. The reservation is separate and costs extra, also if you travel with a pass. Children under 6 travel free and children from 6 to under 16 pay half the fare, but the reservation surcharge is charged in full.
Are the trains running as usual?
Trains 951 and 952 are diverted via Vereina from 29 October to 13 November 2026, so Albula sights are not promised on those departures.