Today we are traveling on one of the best panoramic trains in Switzerland, the Bernina Express, along the stretch from Tirano to St. Moritz, a route recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This connects our journey through Lake Como and Lake Lugano, hopping from Italy to Switzerland in the best possible way.
We now describe our route, taking the Bernina Express journey from Tirano to Saint Moritz, from where we will continue our trip through Switzerland.
Departure from Tirano
We stayed the night before at Hotel Ristorante Bernina in Tirano, which, as its name suggests, is located directly in front of the station.
With departure at 10:04, it’s the perfect setup for a good breakfast before crossing the square that separates the hotel from the station and boarding one of the best scenic trains in Switzerland.
Distributes weight well and protects camera, laptop and clothes on multi‑day trips.
Suitcase‑style openings make it easy to pack and unpack without having to empty the whole backpack every time.
If you walk long distances with it, look for good lumbar padding, a proper hip belt and an adjustable chest strap.
The train departs precisely on time. It’s built with panoramic windows that extend into the roof to maximize visibility from the seats.
It’s very quiet.
Shortly after leaving Tirano, one of the first highlights is the spiral route the train takes to climb uphill.
This section cleverly solves a steep climb in a very short distance.
As the journey continues uphill, the scenery on both sides makes time fly.
High‑capacity models with fast charging are ideal if you carry several devices or use your phone camera heavily all day.
For flights, choose a power bank within airline cabin limits that is as compact and light as possible.
Stop at Poschiavo
At 1,014 m.a.s.l.: it’s the first stop shortly after departure, where the landscape still resembles that of the starting point.
You’ll pass lakes, quaint villages, mountains, and reach elevations that seem unimaginable for a train route.
Stop at Alp Grüm
At 2,091 m.a.s.l., the train stops for 15 minutes at Alp Grüm station, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Here you can get off the train for those 15 minutes and enjoy privileged views of both the lake and the mountains with the Palü glacier.
Optimises space and weight so you can travel carry‑on only without sacrificing quality.
Hard‑shell cases with robust zips and spinner wheels survive airports, kerbs and cobblestones much better over time.
If you do lots of short breaks, a carry‑on with good internal organisation keeps clothes, electronics and toiletries separated and easy to reach.
Lago Bianco and stop at Ospizio Bernina
Continuing the journey from Alp Grüm, you’ll reach Lago Bianco, an artificial lake where the train makes its next stop at Ospizio Bernina.
Stop at Pontresina
At 1,805 m.a.s.l.: a town featuring the typical Engadine architecture, combining fine dining restaurants with winter ski slopes, and nearly 600 km of hiking and 400 km of biking trails in summer.
Stop at St. Moritz
At 1,846 m.a.s.l.: a fantastic spot for all types of winter activities, especially skiing. In summer, the range of activities includes running, hiking, cycling, skating, horseback riding, and more.
