Bernina Express Day Trip from Como to St. Moritz & Tirano — Panoramic Train Journey
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
12–13 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels—this is a full-day rail-and-bus excursion with minimal walking but long travel periods.
Overview
Board an early bus from Como and spend a full day traversing high Alps and borderlands aboard the Bernina Express. From St. Moritz’s glacial air to the Brusio spiral viaduct and the sunlit streets of Tirano, this panoramic journey packs engineering, geology and culture into a single unforgettable day.
Bernina Express Day Trip from Como to St. Moritz & Tirano — Panoramic Train Journey
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You step onto the early bus in Como as light slices across Lake Como, the water pushing a silver line toward the Alps. The ride north is deliberate—about 2 hours 30 minutes of switchback climbs, hairpins and villages that speed past like postcards—until St. Moritz appears, a high-altitude town of chic hotels and glacial air. The day unfolds as a loop of engineered spectacle and Alpine drama: a panoramic carriage on the Bernina Express, a climb to the Bernina Pass at 2,253 m, and a slow descent into Italy’s Valtellina and the small, sunwarmed town of Tirano.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring your passport
This tour crosses from Italy into Switzerland and back; an original passport or national ID valid for expatriation is mandatory on the day of travel.
Claim a window early
Panoramic carriages have large windows but limited preferred viewing spots—board early and be ready with your camera when the train climbs to Bernina Pass.
Dress in layers
Temperatures at 2,253 m can be much colder than Como; pack a windproof layer and lightweight insulated mid-layer.
Plan for a long day
The full itinerary is about 13 hours; bring snacks, water and comfortable shoes for short platform walks in St. Moritz and Tirano.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Alpine choughs
- Ibex in high meadow areas seen from the train
History
The Bernina railway, completed in the early 20th century, connected remote alpine valleys and was later recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its engineering and landscape integration.
Conservation
The route crosses fragile alpine ecosystems; stick to platforms and marked paths during stops and minimize single-use plastics to reduce local impact.
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Adventure Hotspots in Como
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Passport or national ID
Required for cross-border travel and ticket checks.
Comfortable walking shoes
Useful for short walks on platforms and cobbled streets during stops.
Camera or smartphone with spare battery
Large panoramic windows and high-altitude light offer outstanding photo opportunities.
Layered clothing (windproof jacket + midlayer)
Temperatures can be chilly at the Bernina Pass even in summer, so layers keep you comfortable.
fall specific