Bernina Red Train crossing a viaduct in the Swiss Alps with snow-capped peaks
🚂 Best scenic rail day from Milan

Bernina Red Train & St. Moritz Day Trip from Milan

⏱ 11 hours 🗣 English ✓ Free cancellation 🏃 Easy (some walking)
  • ✓ Ride the iconic Bernina Red Train on a UNESCO World Heritage alpine route
  • ✓ Admire the breathtaking Palü Glacier from the Alp Grüm viewpoint
  • ✓ Stroll St. Moritz's cobbled streets and its stunning glacial lake

🚂 Best scenic rail day from Milan

If you're in Milan and want to experience the Swiss Alps without the complexity of planning train connections, this tour does it all in one day: a luxury coach to the mountains, the world's most famous mountain railway, and two stunning destinations — St. Moritz and medieval Tirano.

✓ Pros

  • ✓The Bernina Red Train is one of the world's most spectacular railway journeys — UNESCO-listed
  • ✓Combines two very different destinations: glamorous St. Moritz and authentic Tirano
  • ✓No train stations to navigate — private coach from Porta Garibaldi handles all logistics
  • ✓Palü Glacier views from Alp Grüm are among the finest in the Alps
  • ✓Perfect for first-time visitors who want a Switzerland highlight in a single day from Italy

✗ Cons

  • ✗Train seats are not reservable — arrive early at St. Moritz station for best seating
  • ✗Long day (11 hours) with significant time on the coach
  • ✗Free time in St. Moritz is only 1 hour — not ideal for thorough exploration
Best for: Travellers based in Milan wanting a Swiss Alps experience; photography enthusiasts; couples; those who love scenic rail journeys
Not for: Travellers wanting to hike, ski or explore a specific alpine region in depth — this is a scenic overview day

Tour highlights

  • ✓ Ride the iconic Bernina Red Train on a UNESCO World Heritage alpine route
  • ✓ Admire the breathtaking Palü Glacier from the Alp Grüm viewpoint
  • ✓ Stroll St. Moritz's cobbled streets and its stunning glacial lake
  • ✓ Cross the legendary Bernina Pass through dramatic glaciers and alpine lakes
  • ✓ Discover the medieval town of Tirano with your expert guide
  • ✓ Travel Lake Como and Lombardy's vineyards en route to the Alps
  • ✓ Private air-conditioned coach from Milan — no trains or transfers needed
  • ✓ Headset for crystal-clear audio commentary throughout the day

Itinerary

Porta Garibaldi, Milan

Departure

Meet your City Wonders guide in front of the main entrance of Porta Garibaldi Train Station — look for the tour sign on the left side next to the stairs, under the covered roof near Briccocafé. Arrive 15 minutes early.

Lombardy & Lake Como

Scenic coach (3 hours)

Travel north through the Lombardy region, passing vineyards, charming villages and the shimmering shores of Lake Como as the road climbs toward the Swiss border.

Bernina Pass

Scenic drive — pass through

Cross the UNESCO-listed Bernina Pass (2,328 m) — one of the highest rail crossings in the Alps — surrounded by dramatic glaciers, turquoise alpine lakes and rugged mountain scenery.

St. Moritz

Visit + free time (1 hour)

Explore one of Europe's most famous alpine resorts. Stroll around the glacial lake, wander cobbled streets and browse the luxury boutiques of this iconic Swiss destination.

Bernina Red Train — St. Moritz to Tirano

Panoramic train ride (2 hours)

Board the legendary Bernina Red Train for a spectacular UNESCO-listed journey. Pass Alp Grüm with sweeping views of the Palü Glacier, cross stone viaducts, and descend through the Valtellina Valley.

Tirano

Visit + free time (45 minutes)

Explore the charming medieval town of Tirano just inside Italy, with its cobbled streets, Basilica di Madonna di Tirano and a relaxed atmosphere before the return journey.

Return to Milan

Coach (2.5 hours)

Comfortable coach journey back to Milan through the Italian Alps and Lombardy countryside.

Porta Garibaldi, Milan

Arrival

Return to the starting point, approximately 11 hours after departure.

What's included

✓ Included

  • ✓ Round-trip transportation from Milan in a private air-conditioned coach
  • ✓ Bernina Red Train ticket (St. Moritz–Tirano panoramic route)
  • ✓ Scenic journey through Alp Grüm with views of the Palü Glacier
  • ✓ Travel through the UNESCO-listed Bernina mountain range
  • ✓ Full-day tour led by a professional English-speaking guide
  • ✓ Free time in St. Moritz and Tirano
  • ✓ High-quality headset for clear audio commentary

✗ Not included

  • ✗ Food and drinks
  • ✗ Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • ✗ Tips

Meeting point & departure

Porta Garibaldi Train Station, Milan

Stazione Porta Garibaldi, Piazzale Sigmund Freud, 1, 20154 Milano — main entrance, left side, next to stairs under covered roof (near Briccocafé). Look for the City Wonders tour sign.

Arriving by metro: M2 (green line) to Garibaldi FS. Arriving by taxi: ask for "Stazione Garibaldi". Please arrive 15 minutes before departure.

Open in Google Maps

Know before you go

  • ℹ IMPORTANT: This tour crosses into Switzerland. EU/EEA citizens may use a National ID card; all other travellers (USA, UK, Canada, Australia) must carry a valid passport.
  • ℹ Seats on the Bernina Red Train cannot be reserved in advance — boarding is first-come, first-served.
  • ℹ The itinerary may occasionally run in reverse or be adjusted due to traffic, weather or operational needs.
  • ℹ This tour involves a fair amount of walking — comfortable shoes are strongly recommended.
  • ℹ Baby strollers and large bags or luggage are not permitted.
  • ℹ Check the local weather forecast before departure.

Who is this for?

⚠ Not ideal for

  • • People with mobility impairments
  • • Wheelchair users
More to explore

Similar tours you might like