The Bernina Express from Milan is one long day: a coach north to St. Moritz, then the red train over the Bernina Pass and down through the spiral viaduct at Brusio to Tirano. We compared the two day trips that do it best. Bernina Red Train, Swiss Alps and St. Moritz is rated 4.8 across 3,810 reviews, from about $161. St. Moritz and Swiss Alps Day Trip with Bernina Red Train is rated 4.4 across 221 reviews, from about $91.
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The verdict
Choose by how much the rating gap is worth to you. Bernina Red Train, Swiss Alps and St. Moritz is our pick for a Bernina Express day trip from Milan: 88% of its 3,810 reviews give it five stars, it leaves from Milan’s central station, and it gives you 90 minutes in St. Moritz before a train ride of about two hours and twenty minutes down to Tirano.
St. Moritz and Swiss Alps Day Trip with Bernina Red Train costs about $70 less per person and is the only one of the two that also sells the Albula line, the other half of the Rhaetian Railway’s UNESCO World Heritage route. Its reviews are good, not great: 72% five stars, and about one in ten reviews gives it one or two stars.
Both are long coach days of 11 to 12.5 hours, both are in English, and both offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
“Bernina Express” is the name of the Rhaetian Railway’s panoramic train, which needs its own seat reservation. Our pick states a second-class ticket in a carriage with opening windows; the cheaper tour sells a “Bernina Red Train ticket” and does not name the carriage. Both ride the same Bernina line, with the same pass and viaducts. If the panoramic carriage matters to you, book that train directly with the Rhaetian Railway and do the rest on your own. For other ideas, see our best day trips from Milan.
Which one is for you?
Take the Bernina Red Train tour if
- You want the option with the most reviews and the highest share of five-star ratings.
- You are staying near Milano Centrale: the coach leaves from Piazza Duca d’Aosta, next to the station.
- You want a longer stop in St. Moritz (about 90 minutes) and a view of Lake Como on the way up.
- You want opening windows on the train, for photos without glass glare.
Take the St. Moritz and Swiss Alps tour if
- Price comes first: it starts at about $91 per person against about $161.
- You would rather ride the UNESCO Albula line to Filisur than the Bernina line to Tirano.
- You are staying near Porta Garibaldi, where the coach leaves.
- You want some free time in Tirano, the Italian end of the line, before the coach home.
What each price covers
The Bernina Red Train tour
Included: an English-speaking tour leader, a round trip by air-conditioned coach from Milano Centrale, free time in St. Moritz, and a second-class train ticket with opening windows from St. Moritz to Tirano (standard option), with commentary on board. A version with the train from St. Moritz to Thusis is also listed.
Not included: food and drinks, gratuities, hotel drop-off, and a first-class train ticket.
The St. Moritz and Swiss Alps tour
Included: an English-speaking guide all day, a round trip by private air-conditioned coach from Milan, free time in St. Moritz, and either the Bernina Red Train ticket from St. Moritz to Tirano with free time in Tirano and a headset for commentary, or the Albula line with free time in Filisur, depending on the option you book.
Not included: food and drinks, hotel pickup and drop-off, a first-class train ticket, and gratuities.
Where each one starts
- Bernina Red Train tour: Piazza Duca d’Aosta, at the bus stop next to the Excelsior Hotel Gallia, beside Milano Centrale. It ends back at the same point.
- St. Moritz and Swiss Alps tour: Milano Porta Garibaldi station.
Side by side
| Bernina Red Train tour | St. Moritz and Swiss Alps tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.8 from 3,810 | 4.4 from 221 |
| Five-star reviews | 3,358 (88%) | 160 (72%) |
| Price | from about $161 | from about $91 |
| Length | 12 hours | 11 to 12.5 hours |
| Format | Group coach day trip with train | Group coach day trip with train |
| Train | Bernina line, St. Moritz to Tirano, 2nd class with opening windows | Bernina line to Tirano, or Albula line to Filisur |
| Start | Milano Centrale (Piazza Duca d’Aosta) | Milano Porta Garibaldi |
| Wheelchair accessible | No | No |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before | Free up to 24 hours before |
What travelers say
On the Bernina Red Train tour
Magnificent tour. We really enjoyed ourselves today. Beautiful scenery, great commentary from Marina, who is very knowledgeable. Our driver Luigi was fantastic and we felt so safe on the hairpin bends.
Kylie_J, August 2026, via Viator
A terrific day trip out of Milan. The train featured scenic views for the majority of the ride and our guide was great. We also had plenty of time to walk around St Moritz and admire the lake before our train ride.
Hailey_R, September 2026, via Viator
On the St. Moritz and Swiss Alps tour
The scenery is just breathtaking. The Red Train Bernina Express is just fantastic. The experience of seeing your own train winding through valleys is just amazing.
weininglin, September 2026, via Viator
This trip is fantastic for anyone who wishes to see the Alps. There were so many stunning vistas and St Moritz is gorgeous.
Dianne_H, August 2026, via Viator
Reviewers of both tours praise the same things: the scenery from the train, the drivers on the mountain roads and the guides. The difference is in the numbers. The Bernina Red Train tour has seventeen times as many reviews and a higher share of five-star ratings; the cheaper tour has more one- and two-star reviews in proportion.
More from Milan
If a 12-hour day is too long, the lakes are closer: compare our Lake Como day trip from Milan and the Lake Maggiore tour. In the city, book the Last Supper tour well ahead.
For planning, see our best day trips from Milan, our Milan itinerary and how to get from Malpensa to Milan.
Questions travelers ask
Which Bernina Express day trip from Milan is best?
For most travelers, the Bernina Red Train, Swiss Alps and St. Moritz tour: it is rated 4.8 across 3,810 reviews, 88% of them five stars. If price matters more, the St. Moritz and Swiss Alps tour starts at about $91 per person and is rated 4.4 across 221 reviews.
Is this the panoramic Bernina Express train?
Not necessarily. Both tours ride the Bernina line, but neither listing promises the panoramic Bernina Express carriages. Our pick states a second-class ticket with opening windows; the cheaper tour sells a “Bernina Red Train ticket”. The panoramic train needs its own seat reservation with the Rhaetian Railway.
How long is the train ride?
On the Bernina Red Train tour, the train from St. Moritz to Tirano takes about two hours and twenty minutes, according to the itinerary on Viator. The rest of the day is by coach: out through Lake Como and the Maloja Pass, back from Tirano in about two and a half hours.
Do I need my passport?
Bring it. St. Moritz is in Switzerland, which is outside the European Union, so carry your passport for the day even though you start and finish in Italy. Switzerland uses the Swiss franc.
What is not included?
Food and drinks, gratuities and hotel transfers on both tours, and a first-class train ticket. Bring cash or a card for lunch in St. Moritz or Tirano.
Can I cancel?
Both offer a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start, as shown on Viator in September 2026. Check the terms again when you book.
Book the Bernina Red Train tour if you want the surest bet; book the St. Moritz and Swiss Alps tour if you want to save about $70 or ride the Albula line instead.
Editorial assessment by Italy2Love, September 2026. Inclusions and exclusions, meeting points, itineraries, prices, ratings, review counts and cancellation terms read on both Viator product pages (product codes 70609P8 and 3731P279), September 2026. Reviews quoted with attribution to their authors and to Viator. Next review March 2027, or sooner on any change to either option.