Bernina Express Scenic Train from Milan to St. Moritz — UNESCO Alpine Day Trip
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
12–13 hours
Fitness Level
You should have a moderate fitness level—able to manage short stair climbs and stand or walk for intermittent stretches over a long day.
Overview
Board a minibus at Milan Central and spend a full day on the Bernina Express route — from Lake Como’s gentler shores to the glacial heights above Tirano and a quick stop in St. Moritz. This intimate small-group day trip pairs engineering history with raw alpine panoramas.
Bernina Express Scenic Train from Milan to St. Moritz — UNESCO Alpine Day Trip
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You step out of Milano Centrale into a morning that smells faintly of coffee and diesel, then climb aboard a minibus that threads toward Lake Como. The town on the lake looks like a postcard pressed open — pastel buildings, a promenade that dares you to slow down — but the real ascent waits beyond, where the road narrows and the air thins.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Carry your passport
This itinerary crosses the Italy–Switzerland border; valid paper passports are required for every traveler.
Dress in layers
High-altitude platforms can be freezing even after a sunny lakeside morning—pack a warm jacket, hat, and gloves.
Plan your lunch
You have about an hour in Tirano for lunch; bring cash or a card and expect small cafés to be busy at peak season.
Prepare for a long day
The tour is roughly 12–13 hours with some twisty mountain driving—bring snacks, a refillable water bottle, and patience.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Alpine marmot
- Ibex (in rocky higher terrain)
History
The Rhaetian Railway’s Albula/Bernina lines were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for the early 20th-century engineering that linked remote alpine valleys with viaducts and spiral tunnels.
Conservation
Alpine environments are fragile—stay on designated paths, pack out trash, and respect seasonal restrictions; the route crosses protected Swiss Alpine areas where disturbance is minimized.
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Adventure Hotspots in Milan
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Valid passport
Required for border crossings between Italy and Switzerland.
Warm insulated jacket
High-elevation stops are cold and windy, even in shoulder seasons.
winter specific
Layered clothing (base/mid layers)
Allows quick adjustments from warm lakeside to cold passes.
Sturdy walking shoes
Useful for station stairs, uneven platforms, and quick lakeside strolls.