Tirano and the Bernina Express day trip from Milan or Lake Como
A day trip to Tirano and the Bernina Express from Milan or Lake Como: the Basilica of the Madonna di Tirano in the morning, then up the Bernina line into Switzerland past the Brusio spiral viaduct to Alp Grüm and its glacier view, along Lago Bianco to the Bernina Pass at Ospizio Bernina, and back down to Tirano's old town in the evening. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Tirano and the Bernina Express in 1 day
Day 1
Basilica of the Madonna di Tirano
Renaissance sanctuary built after a Marian apparition in 1504, with a rich interior and a carved wooden organ; the train passes by its square.
Brusio spiral viaduct
Stone viaduct of 1908 on which the train turns a full circle to lose height, best seen from the train or the meadow beside it.
Alp Grüm
Mountain station on a balcony above the Val Poschiavo, with views of the Palü glacier and a restaurant terrace beside the tracks.
Lago Bianco
Long pale-green reservoir lake at the top of the pass, with a path along its shore beside the railway towards Alp Grüm.
Ospizio Bernina (Bernina Pass)
The highest station of the Bernina line, at the pass among glaciers and peaks, with a lake and paths right by the platform.
Historic centre of Tirano
Old town of noble palazzi and narrow lanes along the Adda river, a short walk from the stations, good for local food from Valtellina.
Watch: Tirano and the Bernina Express
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
Getting there
From Milan Centrale, direct regional trains reach Tirano in about two and a half hours; from Lake Como, take the train from Varenna or Colico up the Valtellina to Tirano. The Bernina line of the Swiss Rhaetian Railway starts from its own station beside the Italian one in Tirano.
Staying in Milan or Lake Como? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Tirano and the Bernina Express
Summer and early autumn, from June to September, are the best times, with snow-free paths at the pass and green valleys below. Winter journeys are beautiful too, through deep snow, but walks at the top are not possible. In July and August the panoramic trains are busiest, so book seats early.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Tirano and the Bernina Express on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Tirano and the Bernina Express on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Tirano and the Bernina Express on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Tirano and the Bernina Express
- Bring a passport or identity card: the Bernina line crosses from Italy into Switzerland.
- The panoramic Bernina Express needs a seat reservation, best made well ahead in summer; the regional trains on the same line need no reservation and have windows that open for photos.
- The Bernina line runs all year, with snowy views in winter, but the lakeside path from Alp Grüm to Ospizio Bernina is only free of snow from about June to early autumn.
- It can be cold and windy at the pass even in summer: take a warm layer and sun protection.
- Switzerland uses the Swiss franc; cards are widely taken, and euros are often accepted near the border.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Alp Grüm: Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Brusio spiral viaduct: Kabelleger / David Gubler (http://www.bahnbilder.ch), CC BY 3.0
- Historic centre of Tirano: Asurnipal, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Lago Bianco: Martingarten, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ospizio Bernina (Bernina Pass): Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
