From Lake Como or Milan: Bernina Red Train Tour

The heart of this day is the Bernina Red Train, which climbs from Tirano into the Alps before reaching St. Moritz. I like that the train ride is paired with a private transfer, so you can enjoy the rail journey without arranging separate transport back across the mountains.

I also like the contrast between the train and the return drive: you see the high route by rail, then cross the Maloja Pass by car, with stops at Lake Silvaplana and, when available, Acquafraggia Falls. The main drawback is the price, $922.66 per person, especially since lunch and a tour guide are not included.

At a glance

• First-class rail from Tirano: The included ticket covers the one-way journey to St. Moritz, a ride of about two and a half hours.
• Private pickup and return: Pickup and drop-off are included at Lake Como accommodations. Milan pickup is available when you select the correct option.
• A high Alpine crossing: The train reaches Ospizio Bernina at 2,253 metres, passing villages, rivers, lakes and glaciers.
• Time in St. Moritz: You have about 90 minutes in town and another 30 minutes at Lake St. Moritz.
• Scenic return by road: The drive goes over the Maloja Pass, with a short stop at Lake Silvaplana and a possible visit to Acquafraggia Falls.
• Check the activity details: The route described here is a train-and-car day trip. Biking and kayaking mentioned in some overview text are not part of the detailed itinerary or included services.

From Lake Como or Milan to Tirano

Your day begins with a private driver collecting you from your accommodation around Lake Como, or from Milan if you book that pickup option. The drive to Tirano sets up the train ride and means you do not have to plan a separate connection to the station.

From Milan, the route passes near Lake Como and towns such as Varenna and Bellagio. The exact departure time and driving hours vary with your pickup location, and the full outing is estimated at nine to twelve hours. That range matters: this is a full-day commitment, not a quick rail excursion.

The private format is a real advantage for couples, families or small groups who want to travel on their own schedule. You are not sharing the car with strangers, and the driver can make the road portion feel like part of the trip rather than dead time between train stations.

There is no formal tour guide included, so it is wise to distinguish the driver’s role from a guided tour. Past outings have featured drivers such as Giovanni, whose narration, local stories and photo stops were warmly praised. That is a welcome bonus when it happens, but the included service is a professional driver, not a guaranteed guide.

The Bernina Red Train from Tirano

At Tirano station, you board the Bernina Red Train for the one-way journey to St. Moritz. The rail trip takes about two and a half hours and is the main event: the train crosses a UNESCO World Heritage route through villages, small hamlets, rivers, lakes and glaciers.

The scenery changes as the train gains height, giving you a clear sense of the Alps rather than one long view from a single lookout. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole ride staring through a screen. The changing views are part of the pleasure, and the train itself gives you a different perspective from the road journey later.

The route’s highest point is Ospizio Bernina, at 2,253 metres. That altitude helps explain why the mountain conditions can feel quite different from those around Lake Como. A sweater and light raincoat are recommended in every season, and the tour can be cancelled in heavy snow.

The included ticket is first class and covers the train from Tirano to St. Moritz only. The return leg is by private car, not by train. That split is useful: you get the celebrated rail crossing, then avoid retracing the same route on rails.

A short visit to St. Moritz

You have about 90 minutes in St. Moritz, enough for a walk through the centre and a meal or snack at your own expense. Engadin walnut cake and chocolate pralines are local treats to look for if you want to make the stop more than a quick stroll.

St. Moritz is known as a polished, cosmopolitan mountain town, but the short visit leaves little time for a detailed exploration. Think of it as a pleasant pause after the train, not a full town tour. There is no guided walk included, so you can choose your own pace and spend the time on food, shops or a look around the centre.

The schedule is tight enough that you should keep an eye on the meeting time. Lunch is not included, and an unhurried restaurant meal could use much of your stop. If you would rather see more of the town, ask before booking whether the timing can be adjusted for your pickup point. The route may have minor timing changes.

Lake St. Moritz on foot

After the town stop, you get about 30 minutes at Lake St. Moritz. The lake is reached from the station by a convenient underpass, and a footpath lets you take a short walk along the shore.

You can also head toward the Church of St. Charles, visible in the distance. With only half an hour, this is a brief stretch of the legs and a chance to enjoy the lake, not a long hike. It is a simple but worthwhile break after sitting on the train.

The lake stop also adds a quieter note to the day. St. Moritz town is the more polished, urban part of the visit; the water and mountain setting offer a different feel without requiring a complicated detour.

Back over the Maloja Pass

Your return to Lake Como or Milan is by car, crossing the Maloja Pass on a panoramic road through the woods between the Italian and Swiss Alps. This gives the day a satisfying change of angle: you experience the high route by train and then descend by road.

A private driver can make the road section more flexible than a standard coach transfer. In past outings, Giovanni has been praised for sharing context about the places along the way and making photo stops. Still, the itinerary does not promise a fixed number of stops, so treat any extra pauses as dependent on the driver and the day’s timing.

The drive is a substantial part of the experience, especially if your pickup is in Milan or at the far end of Lake Como. If you prefer to minimize time in a vehicle, compare the full door-to-door duration carefully. The benefit is seeing more of the region without having to navigate the route yourself.

Lake Silvaplana and Acquafraggia Falls

The first listed road stop is Lake Silvaplana, where you have about 15 minutes. The lake is a centre for windsurfing and kitesurfing in summer. In winter, when it freezes, it is used for walking and cross-country skiing, and the Engadin Skimarathon crosses it annually.

Fifteen minutes is a quick look rather than time for a waterside activity. The lake is most valuable here as a scenic pause on the drive, with its seasonal sports giving you a glimpse of how the area changes through the year.

Acquafraggia Falls near Chiavenna is another short stop, scheduled for about 10 minutes. The falls form a double cascade around 170 metres high and were noted by Leonardo da Vinci. The visit is offered on the return drive, except on weekends and in August, so do not count on it if your trip falls within those periods.

This stop is brief, but it adds a striking natural feature to an already varied day. If the falls matter to you, confirm their availability for your date before booking. The detailed itinerary lists the visit as excluded on weekends and in August.

Is $922.66 per person good value?

This is an expensive excursion at $922.66 per person, and the cost deserves a close look. The price includes a private professional driver, pickup and drop-off at Lake Como accommodations, and a first-class one-way train ticket from Tirano to St. Moritz. It also covers the planned visits to the town, Lake Silvaplana and, when scheduled, Acquafraggia Falls.

The value is strongest if you want the convenience of private transport and do not want to arrange the rail journey and return drive on your own. You also avoid sharing the vehicle with a larger group. For a couple, the per-person cost is steep; for a family or group, the private format may feel more reasonable when divided across your party.

Keep the extras in mind. Lunch, gratuities and personal expenses are not included, and there is no tour guide as part of the stated inclusions. The driver may provide useful commentary, as Giovanni has done on past trips, but you should not book on the assumption that a dedicated guide will be present.

The experience is recommended by all 35 people who have rated it, and the most praised elements are consistent: spectacular Alpine views, the first-class train ride, and drivers who make the long road sections informative and enjoyable. Those strengths help explain the appeal, but they do not change the need to weigh the price against the limited free time at each stop.

Practical details before you book

A passport is required to enter Switzerland. Bring a sweater and a light raincoat in any season, since the route climbs high into the mountains and the weather can differ from conditions at Lake Como.

The tour requires good weather. In heavy snow, it will be cancelled, with the option of a different date or a full refund. For other cancellations or requested changes, the experience is non-refundable and cannot be amended, so check your dates carefully before paying.

The activity information includes references to biking in the Pian di Spagna Nature Reserve and kayaking on Lake Como, but neither appears in the detailed itinerary or list of included services. The actual experience described is the private transfer, Bernina train ride, St. Moritz visit and return drive. If cycling or kayaking is a priority, confirm directly with the provider rather than assuming either is part of this booking.

Who should choose this trip?

I would consider this tour if you want the Bernina rail journey but also value private door-to-door transport and the chance to see several places in one day. It suits people who enjoy scenery more than long museum visits, are comfortable with a full day out and can budget for a premium private outing.

It may be less appealing if you want an in-depth visit to St. Moritz, a guided tour throughout the day or a low-cost way to ride the train. You get limited time in town, and the guide is not included. The train and driver combination is the draw, not a packed schedule of lengthy activities.

Book it if the rail crossing is high on your list and the private car makes the logistics worthwhile. Before committing, confirm the pickup location, the Milan option if relevant, and whether the Acquafraggia stop is available on your date. If those details fit your plans, this is a memorable way to see the Alps without having to piece the transport together yourself.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

The tour lasts approximately nine to twelve hours. The exact timing can vary according to your pickup location.

Is pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations located at Lake Como. If your accommodation is in Milan, select the correct Milan option when booking.

Is a tour guide included?

No. A professional driver is included, but a tour guide is not. Some drivers, including Giovanni on past trips, have shared local stories and commentary.

Which part of the train journey is included?

The included first-class ticket is one way, from Tirano to St. Moritz. The return journey to your accommodation is by private car.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and food and personal expenses are at your own cost.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. A passport is required to enter Switzerland.