Bernina Express from Milan
Prepare yourself for a visual treat like no other as the Bernina Express takes you from Milan to Swiss Alps with an expert guide. Traverse through the magnificent Bernina Pass, and finally reach the UNESCO World Heritage route of St. Moritz. Spend time at its quaint streets and shop for the world-famous Swiss chocolates.
Day Trip to the Swiss Alps by Bernina Express from Milan
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Millions love heading out with us
Kristine
It was perfect but the only problem meeting point
It was so difficult to find
We almost didn't made it
Trip was awesome and our guide girl from Iran was so great
Cheryl
We were pleased that the trip was so well organized and comfortable!
Appreciate the stops, but the available food at the stops left something to be desired. Suggest that the businesses be contacted and our stop be planned ahead and have a boxed meal prepared for a set price that we could just pick up.
Scenery was remarkable! A great trip!
Aiden
The bus that departures from Milan was comfy, had free WiFi which is not that good but can help you to send/receive some WhatsApp/Facebook messages. The guide, Sabrina, is such a lovely and supportive lady.
Avery
"My partner and i took a daytrip on the Express from Tirano to St Moritz and back with our 6 month old baby, staying in Tirano the night before and the night after.The overall experience was wonderful - we were concerned about rain but fortunately did not see a drop the entire way and forecasted cloud cover made no difference to the spectacular scenery. "
Chloe
Even though the journey took 4 hours it was a well spent time!! Fantastic views, clean train seats, friendly and warm staff, announcements on every interesting spot/view -we would def. recommend it!
Joshua
Better than glacier Express. The train was smooth and we even stopped mid way because the conductor said we can go down and take pictures for 5 minutes! The bus transfer was fine too, got seated in front which offered the most pleasant view.
Anthony
Better than glacier Express. The train was smooth and we even stopped mid way because the conductor said we can go down and take pictures for 5 minutes! The bus transfer was fine too, got seated in front which offered the most pleasant view.
Logan
"We boarded the train in Tirano as part of our Riviera Travel holiday. It was an amazing experience and well worth getting our coach at 6.30 am and leaving our hotel in Cernobbio. The train climbs at a steady pace through some wonderful hairpin bends and hillsides. The whole scene was straight out of the children's story if Heidi and her grandfather. We stopped halfway to take in the wonderful views of the glacier and the snow capped mountains before moving further upwards towards St Moritz.We had coffee and cake in St Moritz then strolled by the lake back to our waiting coach to begin our journey back and that was another story!!!!!"
Bernina Express from Milan Guide
Bernina Express from Milan Guide
Picture forested mountains, lush gorges, and sprawling, snow-speckled topography en-route your day trip from Milan to Switzerland- that's what you're signing up for, along with a myriad of other exciting highlights. The distance from Milan to Switzerland by the Bernina Express covers 257km and takes about 3.5 to 4 hours. Here's everything you must know about taking a day trip from Milan to Switzerland.
Milan to Switzerland - In a Nutshell
Milan to Switzerland - In a Nutshell
Distance : 257km (160 mi)
Duration : 3 hrs 30 mins
Best time to visit : July-Sept
Best way to travel : Train/Car
Approximate budget/head : CHF 230 - 370 per day
Highlights : Lake Geneva, Rhine Falls, Chillon Castle, Jungfraujoch, Matterhorn & more.
Duration : 3 hrs 30 mins
Best time to visit : July-Sept
Best way to travel : Train/Car
Approximate budget/head : CHF 230 - 370 per day
Highlights : Lake Geneva, Rhine Falls, Chillon Castle, Jungfraujoch, Matterhorn & more.
Switzerland: Home to The Matterhorn & Swiss Fondue!
Switzerland: Home to The Matterhorn & Swiss Fondue!
When it comes to raw alpine scenery and quaint villages dipped in storybook charm, there is little competition for Switzerland. Be it the snow-capped Alps, the shimmering blue lakes, the lush valleys, or picturesque bankside hamlets, there is an otherworldly charm that surrounds this mountaineous region. Scenery isn't the only thing Switzerland has to offer: many are charmed by the cultural attractions.
Historic cities like Geneva, Zurich, Lausanne, and St. Moritz are filled with museums, buildings, galleries, and musical festivals for you to frequent. The capital city of Bern boasts a gorgeous medieval town that hugs the crook of a river! Of all the neighboring countries, most people find it most convenient to travel from Italy to Switzerland- for multiple reasons- key among them being you're promised a scenic route with plenty of stops along the way for a great day trip!
Day trip from Milan to Switzerland on the Bernina Express
Day trip from Milan to Switzerland on the Bernina Express
A guided tour is the most convenient way to get from Amsterdam to Volendam, ensuring you make the best of your time in Amsterdam.
- Seamless transportation : The locations across the Waterland region are easily accessed by road and not too far from each other. Instead of waiting for public transport you can hop on to the luxury coach and get places quickly, spending more time exploring the attractions.
- Cover multiple locations : The guided tours are designed to ensure you explore maximum attractions in the region. You can cover places like Zaanse Schaans, Edam, Volendam and Maarken all in one day without the strain of figuring out your itinerary or arranging transport!
- Authentic experiences : A tour will also offer unique experiences like cheese making and tasting, authentic dining, and visit to wooden clog workshop.
Day trip from Milan to Switzerland on the Bernina Express
Day trip from Milan to Switzerland on the Bernina Express
The bordering countries of Switzerland are Germany, Italy, Austria, and France. Of the four, most people prefer traveling from Italy to Switzerland for a reason: the Bernina Express. The convenience of this train along with the scenic route it takes makes this a MUST-TRY. So, if you're in Milan or Tirano and want to explore the Swiss Alps, don't think twice before booking Bernina Express tickets to get you there!
Reasons To Visit Switzerland
Reasons To Visit Switzerland
Go hiking in the idyllic mountain ranges
Located in the heart of the Alps, Switzerland offers some of the most diverse trekking options in the entirety of Europe. You can find tailored experiences based on your expertise and fitness. Strolling around in the foothills can be just as tranquil an experience as ascending to the peaks. Hiking through the Alps in winter can be both challenging and immensely rewarding.
Stumble upon enchanting medieval architecture
Some of Switzerland’s castles date all the way back to 10th century AD! Burrowed in the lap of the Swiss countryside, many of these castles also feature full-fledged museums and other historical attractions. You will find many of these structures perched high atop a mountain or jutting out into a lake, making for some marvelous photo opportunities.
Take one of the continent’s iconic train rides
The train ride from Milan Central Station to Zurich Central Railway Station is nothing short of stunning. Catch sweeping vistas of Alpine meadows, lakes, and pristine forests from the window of your Eurocity train. A visit to the Bahnhofstrasse shopping avenue, which is just a few minutes away from the Zurich railway station, is a perfect way to start your tour of Switzerland.
Experience diverse cultures
Each of the 26 cantons (member states) of Switzerland boasts its own unique culture. The art collections housed in museums across the country exemplify the country’s rich history and culture. Swiss cheese, chocolate, and alphorns are all a part of this fascinating tradition.
Get your adrenaline pumping with adventure sports
From skydiving to kayaking, adventure sports in Switzerland span the full spectrum of adrenaline-inducing activities. Owing to its massive collection of mountains, paragliding and mountaineering are also popular tourist attractions.
Best Day Trips from Milan to Switzerland
Best Day Trips from Milan to Switzerland
Guided Tour from Milan To Switzerland
Not one for planning your own itinerary from scratch? Woudl you prefer an organized guided tour, led by a local tour guide, and inclusive of all your tickets and transportation costs along the way? A guided tour is the way to go! This is the most efficient use of your time: you'll see the most without having to worry about the travel logistics.
Day Trip to the Swiss Alps by Bernina Express from Milan
Full-Day Tour of St. Moritz from Milan with Round-Trip Bernina Express Tickets
- Enjoy a day-out of Milan with your family and friends and visit the Alps, one of the greatest natural features the Earth has to offer
- Rail tour from Milan aboard the Bernina Express, one-of-the world’s most picturesque train routes which wind through the Swiss Alps and mountain passes
- Explore the Alps on a thrilling adventure that takes you the fascinating town of St. Moritz, ‘The Top of the World’
- A professional guide will be with you through the journey providing commentary on the sites you see and the region in general.
- Return to Milan by an air-conditioned coach. Take in the breathtaking scenery all around you as you make your way back.
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- Soak up the stunning landscape of the Swiss Alps aboard buses and trains.
- Commence your journey with a short guided tour through Tirano, a historic town in Italy.
- Learn all about the fascinating Swiss territory from your expert tour guide.
- Enjoy unmatched views of the Switzerland-Italy border here.
- Board the amazing Bernina Express Train next and zoom along the UNESCO Bernina Pass.
- At the resort of St. Moritz, enjoy the view of the Swiss Alps with a cup of hot chocolate in hand.
- This ticket offers guided tours in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
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St. Moritz Switzerland - Things to do
St. Moritz Switzerland - Things to do
If you're booking either of the guided tours, you'll reach the picturesque town of St. Moritz- home to an array of iconic pit stops and landscapes. Here’s what you can expect during your day trip from Milan to Switzerland:
Corviglia Funicular
Take a trip down the snow-covered slopes of the Swiss Alps onboard the Corviglia Funicular, a funicular railway route. The enjoyable railway route will acquaint you to many-a-spectacular ski locations and brings you closer to life on the Alps like never before.
Lake St. Moritz
Overlooking a verdant valley, the placid Lake St. Moritz attracts tourists from all around the world that stop by to spend some time amidst nature. Best known as the birthplace of Alpine Winter Tourism, sports enthusiasts often find themselves drawn to the lake for a plethora for adventure sports that take place during the winter.
Cafe Hanselmann
The celebrated tea room of St. Moritz is famous for its decadent Engadine nut tart amongst its other sinful bakery products. Hanselmann Cafe is also one of St. Moritz’s most decorated buildings. Whether it's pralines, tarts, cakes or macarons — Hanselmann’s has a solution for every sweet temptation.
Piz Corvatsch
A part of the ski area, Piz Corvatsche is one of highest peaks of Eastern Alps that draws crowd from all around the world in summer. One can take in spectacular panoramic views from the observation deck or simply spend some time in the lap of nature.
Guided Vs Self-Guided: How To Decide?
Guided Vs Self-Guided: How To Decide?
While a self tour allows you the liberty to spare enough time to every attraction, a guided tour involves the company of a skilled tour guide that will brief you to local bytes and facts of Switzerland. A guided tour also involves the security of groups, and allows you to socialise with other travellers with safety. A guided tour often also involves several perks and added ancillaries to make your tour a memorable one. Apart from this, you may also put your worries to rest about travel and food apart from comfort — all of which goes hand in hand with your ticket.
That said, a guided tour is not for everyone- waking up a certain hour, mingling with other tour group members, and following a perfectly-charted out itinerary for instance- is not everyone's cup of tea! So choose according to your fancy.
Best Time To Visit Switzerland from Milan
Best Time To Visit Switzerland from Milan
The best months to visit Switzerland are July through September.
Tourist crowds can be quite high during the early summer and spring months; the crowds begin to thin out around August. Although the popular belief is that Switzerland gets unbearably cold post-summer, this is not quite the case. Temperatures hover between 18°C to 22°C during the day and night-time temperatures rarely fall below 8°C.
Paleo Festival De Nyon is one of the most popular folk festivals that generally takes place in the third week of July. You can enjoy the beautiful music and vibrant atmosphere of the festival if you are planning to visit the country in late July.
If you are a jazz music fan, the Montreux Jazz Festival held in July is an excellent place to come face-to-face with all your jazz icons.
Best way to get from Milan to Switzerland: All Transport Options
Best way to get from Milan to Switzerland: All Transport Options
Milan to Switzerland by Bus
Milan to Switzerland by train
Milan to Switzerland by Car
Organized tour
Traveling from Milan to Switzerland by bus is pretty convenient, albeit slightly more time consuming than the other travel options. Multiple buses run throughout the day. Explore your options to travel by bus here.
Travelling to Switzerland from Milan is easily facilitated by voyaging onboard the Bernina Express, that takes you through some of the most scenic routes in the world. With plunging gorges, spiralling tunnels and lush slopes, the train takes you through a well-known UNESCO World Heritage Route.
To book your tickets and for more information, head here.
TDriving from Milan to Switzerland by car is quite rewarding: the winding roads and ever-glorious beauty of nature on both sides will make your drive worthwhile. The average fuel cost ranges between CHF 40-60.
A recommended route would be:
- Milan - Lugano in 1.5 hours (stay for an hour)
- Lugano - Goschenen in 1 hour (stay for an hour)
- Goschenen - Zug in 45 minutes (stay for an hour)
- Zug - Zurich in 40 min (stay for as long as you please)
You can avoid the hassle of planning the day trip by simply booking an organized tour. No more waiting in lines, worrying about planning a step-by-step itinerary and arranging travel from scratch. Soak in the best of the scenic region with thisguided tour from Milan to St. Moritz.
Grab a bite on your day trip
Grab a bite on your day trip
Here is a list of some of the places you should stop at and satiate your cravings. We've chosen our favorite eateries at each city- so if you're in the area, definitely try them out!
CHEZ VRONY
Perched atop Rothorn Mountain near the hamlet of Findeln, Chez Vrony is has been operating since the early 1900s. The restaurant serves homemade rosti, bresaola, and house-cured speck in a traditional Swiss chalet ambiance.
City: Zermatt
HOTEL HOFGARTEN
Known for mouth-watering delicacies made only from freshly sourced ingredients from local greenmarkets and cheesemongers, this is one of the finest restaurants in Lucerne. Try out the roasted scallops, porcini ravioli, and braised veal if you plan on stopping by.
City: Lucerne
HAUS HILTL
This restaurant is a vegetarian’s paradise. What’s more, Haus Hiltl is the country’s first-ever vegetarian hotel that has been running for over 120 years! The Hiltl Tartar is a special dish that you should definitely try.
City: Zurich
DE VILLE DE CRISSIER
L’Hotel de Ville is a top-notch restaurant that has been ranked amongst the top 10 restaurants in the world on multiple occasions by La Liste. The menu is completely dynamic and season-based.
City: Crissier
RESTAURANT ENGIADINA
No trip to Switzerland is complete without tasting the famous Swiss fondue. Restaurant Engiadina is your one-stop-shop for an incredible variety of champagne and fondue served with pickles to tingle your palate.
City: St. Moritz
Where can I stay in Switzerland?
Where can I stay in Switzerland?
Rest your weary legs after a long day of sightseeing at a local hotel. This is also super beneficial if you're thinking of extending your trip for another day or two. Here are some of our top hotel recommendations.
Hotel Gletscherblick
Hotel Dakota
Crowne Plaza Zurich
Hotel Gletscherblick
Located less than 500 meters from Hasilberg Congress, Hotel Gletscherblick is known for its pastoral setting and alpine views. The scenic Reichenbach Falls is very close to the hotel as well (15km).
City: Grindelwald
Hotel Dakota offers functional rooms and a delectable breakfast in a semi-formal setting. The grayscale paintings inside the hotel are the prime attractions.
City: Meiringen
Crowne Plaza Zurich
Enjoy fine dining and fitness activities at the Crowne Plaza Zurich. This is also one of the most affordable 4-star tourist hotels in the city.
City: Zurich
Buying souvenirs from Switzerland
Buying souvenirs from Switzerland
Swiss chocolates, cheese fondue sets, and Swiss watches are some of the popular souvenirs you can purchase in Switzerland.
Now that we now WHAT to get, let's find out WHERE to get them from:
- Teuscher: A charming shop situated in Zurich’s Old Town, Teuscher features an extraordinary range of Swiss chocolates and confectionaries. The famous ‘Lake of Zurich’ box comes with all your favorite sugary treats including truffles, marzipan, and pralines.
- Schweizer Heimatwerk: You can get gorgeous hand-painted ceramic pots specifically for making Swiss fondue here. If you are willing to go all the way, you can even purchase an entire set of these pots.
- Les Ambassadeurs: Looking for a new Chopard or Rolex to complement your personality? Les Ambassadeurs gives you the full watch-shopping experience and sells only the finest products in the Swiss market.
Tips for your day trip from Milan
Tips for your day trip from Milan
- Always purchase chocolate from local outlets. Larger international chains package their products better, but the chocolate from local chocolatiers is generally cheaper and has its own unique flavor. Avoid buying chocolates at the airport.
- You do not need to buy bottled water. Carry a few empty bottles instead. Switzerland is known to have the most robust water processing system, and hence, the cleanest tap water in the world.
- If you are planning on trekking in the Alps, make sure you have all the right medication for altitude sickness (AMS). Keep yourself hydrated and try to stay with your group while trekking.
- Don’t be afraid to go off the grid and explore the countryside. Switzerland is a very safe place to wander around.
- Buying a travel pass is one of the best ways to travel around Switzerland. Cabs can be exorbitantly expensive.
- People in Switzerland generally speak one of four official languages: French, Italian, German, or Romansh. This might be daunting for a newcomer, but English will work in most scenarios.
- Stores and restaurants can have surprisingly early closing times. Ensure that you are aware of the closing time of your intended destination at all times.
- Swiss culture does not favor boisterous partying or being unnecessarily loud. Although this is not always the case, it is usually better to be respectful of local traditions.
- Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc instead of the Euro as its local currency. Although you do not need too much, it’s a good idea to keep a few Swiss Francs in hard cash while traveling.
FAQs
FAQs
Is it worth going to Switzerland from Milan?
It is definitely worth taking a trip from Milan to Switzerland. You're promised great views and a memorable trip!
Is Switzerland very expensive?
Switzerland has been dubbed the most expensive country in the world to visit with Zurich and Geneva being 2 of the 10 most expensive cities to live in.!
How much should I budget for 2 days in Switzerland?
Expect to spend 230 - 370 Swiss Francs per day.
What train runs from Milan to Switzerland?
The Swiss Alps Bernina Express Rail from Milan is one of the most popular and efficient ways to travel from Milan to Switzerland by train.
What is the closest Swiss city from Milan?
Lugano is the closest Swiss city from Milan.
How long is the train ride from Milan to Switzerland?
The Bernina Express Rail will take about 3 hours and 22 minutes to reach St. Moritz.
What are the must-visit cities in Switzerland?
Some of the must-visit cities in Switzerland are Zurich, Bern, Lucerne, Interlaken, etc
Is Lake Como in Switzerland or Italy?
Lake Como is technically in Italy but borders around Switzerland.
What is a souvenir I must pick up from when in Switzerland?
Switzerland is known for its chocolates, cheese fondue sets, and watches, among others.
Is the top of Europe worth visiting?
Definitely visit Jungfraujoch- the top of Europe if you have the chance for stunning vistas of the Alps and its surroundings.
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