The Full List of Bernina Express Stops From St. Moritz to Tirano
The Bernina Express runs between Chur or St. Moritz in Switzerland and Tirano in northern Italy, crossing the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railway line. The core mountain section runs from St. Moritz south to Tirano, climbing to 2,253 metres at Ospizio Bernina — the highest railway crossing in the Alps. Here are the main stops you will pass through on this remarkable journey.
Starting in St. Moritz, the train descends through the Engadine valley before reaching Pontresina, a quieter alternative boarding point popular with hikers and cross-country skiers. From there the route climbs steeply to Morteratsch, where a short walk from the station leads you directly to the tongue of the Morteratsch Glacier — one of the most accessible glaciers in Switzerland and worth a stop if you have a flexible ticket.
Next comes Bernina Diavolezza, the cable car station for the famous Diavolezza panoramic platform, followed by Bernina Lagalb. The train then reaches Ospizio Bernina at the summit, sitting beside the frozen Lago Bianco. On a clear day the views across the snowfields are extraordinary. After the summit, the route drops sharply through Alp Grüm, a tiny stop perched on a cliff with a terrace restaurant overlooking the Palü Glacier — easily one of the most dramatic stations in Europe.
Continuing south, the train passes through Cavaglia and Cadera before arriving at Poschiavo, the largest town in the Valposchiavo valley and a good lunch stop if you are travelling independently. The final Swiss stop before the Italian border is Le Prese, sitting beside Lago di Poschiavo. The train then crosses into Italy and terminates at Tirano, where connections to Milan by bus or regional train are straightforward.
If you are planning a Bernina Red Train day trip from Milan, the journey runs in reverse from Tirano north to St. Moritz, so the glacier views appear on the opposite side of the carriage — worth keeping in mind when choosing your seat.
Practical Tips for Getting the Most Out of Each Stop
Not all Bernina Express services stop at every station. The panoramic express trains, which require a reservation and carry the famous large-window panorama cars, typically stop only at the main stations: St. Moritz, Pontresina, Poschiavo, and Tirano. If you want to hop off at smaller stations like Morteratsch, Alp Grüm, or Ospizio Bernina, you generally need to travel on a standard Rhaetian Railway regional service rather than the reserved express.
Seats on the right side of the train heading from St. Moritz to Tirano face the most dramatic glacier scenery between Pontresina and Alp Grüm. Heading north from Tirano, sit on the left. Booking early in 2026 is sensible, particularly for July and August departures, when panorama car seats sell out weeks in advance.
For travellers wanting a more curated experience with a guide who can explain the geology, engineering history, and local culture at each stop, a Bernina Train private tour from Milan or St. Moritz gives you a lot more flexibility than a standard ticket. And if you are combining the Bernina with other Swiss rail classics, pairing it with the Glacier Express is a natural fit — the Swiss Alps train tour from Zurich with Glacier Express covers the western half of Switzerland’s great mountain rail network in a single itinerary.
Whatever direction you travel, give yourself at least one extra day around the route. The Bernina is not a journey to rush. Alp Grüm alone, with its glacial terrace and almost complete absence of road access, is the kind of place that reminds you why train travel through the Alps still feels genuinely special in 2026.