Tour Highlights
AI Summary – Bernina Express Private Tour from Milan
Updated December 2025
A fully private Bernina Express day trip from Milan (about 11 hours) with door-to-door hotel pickup, a premium 7-seat van to Tirano, a panoramic Bernina Express ride to St. Moritz, and a flexible scenic return via the Maloja Pass. From €399 per adult, including private transport, Bernina Express 2nd-class tickets (1st-class upgrade available), a licensed English-speaking guide, and free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
⭐ 5.00 rating — based on verified reviews across all our day tours
Trusted Bernina & Alps specialists on TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide, Viator, and Google.
🚐 Private van & hotel pickup • 🚆 Panoramic Bernina Express • 🏔️ Flexible route with photo stops
Answers written by licensed Milan-based guides who have personally led 800+ Bernina tours.
1. Why choose this private Bernina Express tour instead of big-bus tours?
Most Bernina tours from Milan are large-group, rigid, and rushed. This private version is the opposite:
- ✔️ Private van, no 50-seat buses — door-to-door pickup, no waiting for strangers.
- ✔️ Flexible timing — we choose the best train based on light, weather, and your pace.
- ✔️ Real free time in St. Moritz — not 40 rushed minutes.
- ✔️ Licensed expert guide — not a bilingual script reader managing 50 people.
- ✔️ Your own rhythm — no rigid schedules, no crowded groups, no crying toddlers nearby.
In short: you see more, wait less, and actually enjoy the “palms to glaciers” journey.
2. Is this Bernina Express private tour right for me?
Ideal if you want:
- ✔️ A comfortable, private day without crowds or loud groups.
- ✔️ A mix of scenic driving, panoramic train, and free time in St. Moritz.
- ✔️ Door-to-door service from your Milan hotel.
- ✔️ A guide who knows the viewpoints, timing, and border logistics.
Not ideal if you want:
- ❌ The cheapest possible option with 50+ people on one bus.
- ❌ A fast “photo and go” tour with minimal time outside the vehicle.
3. What is the itinerary for the day?
The exact timing is flexible, but a typical day looks like this:
- Hotel pickup in Milan — early morning in a premium 7-seat van.
- Scenic drive to Tirano — with a short coffee or breakfast stop.
- Bernina Express train (Tirano → St. Moritz) — panoramic carriage with glacier and lake views.
- Free time in St. Moritz — explore the lake, town, or enjoy lunch.
- Return via Maloja Pass — spectacular hairpin drive with photo stops.
- Drop-off in Milan — back at your hotel in the evening.
Total duration: usually around 10–11 hours.
4. Where and when does the tour start?
This is a fully private, door-to-door experience.
- ✔️ Pickup directly at your Milan hotel or apartment.
- ✔️ Normal departure time: 7:00–7:30 AM.
Your guide confirms the exact time the day before.
5. Is transport and the Bernina train ticket included?
Yes — everything essential is included:
- 🚐 Private round-trip transport in a premium van (max 7 guests).
- 🚆 Bernina Express 2nd-class ticket (1st-class upgrade available).
- 👨🏫 Licensed English-speaking driver-guide.
- 📸 Flexible photo stops throughout the day.
Not included: meals, drinks, personal purchases, and gratuities.
6. What is the price, and how can I book?
Official price from: €399 per adult
(Price varies by season, group size, and upgrades.)
How to reserve:
1️⃣ Choose your date and group size on this page.
2️⃣ Send your request — we confirm availability via email or WhatsApp.
3️⃣ Reserve now, pay later — payment usually 48 hours before the tour.
4️⃣ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
5️⃣ Instant confirmation and pickup details after booking.
🟩 Tip: peak dates and weekends sell out early, especially in summer and ski season.
Prefer to discuss details first?
➡️ Message us on WhatsApp.
7. How much time do we have in St. Moritz?
Unlike big-bus tours, we plan the day so you get real free time in St. Moritz.
- Typically 1.5–2.5 hours, depending on season and train schedule.
- Enough time to walk by the lake, explore the town, enjoy lunch, or shop.
If you have special requests, just tell us — we adjust timing when possible.
8. What is the best time of year for the Bernina Express?
Good news: the Bernina route is stunning all year — each season has its own charm.
- Winter: snowy landscapes, frozen lakes, true Alpine magic.
- Spring: green valleys + white peaks.
- Summer: long days, bright colours, warm stops.
- Autumn: golden forests and crystal-clear air.
We advise the best departure time based on light, weather, and crowds.
9. What if there is snow, rain, or bad weather?
The Bernina Express is built to run in Alpine conditions — snow and clouds often make it even more scenic.
- ✔️ We monitor weather and road conditions continuously.
- ✔️ We adapt the route and stops if needed.
- ✔️ In case of serious disruptions, we warn you early and offer solutions.
Many guests say their snowy or misty Bernina day was the most memorable of their trip.
10. Do you offer other private Alps or Switzerland tours?
Yes — if you enjoy this style of travel, we can organise:
- ✔️ Private Lake Como & Lugano day trips
- ✔️ Custom multi-day itineraries in Northern Italy & Switzerland
Tell us your interests, and we’ll suggest the best options for your dates.
Why This Tour Is Unique
Why This Bernina Express Tour Is Different
Most Bernina Express options from Milan are built for volume: one big bus, one fixed timetable, one rushed experience for everyone.
This tour is the opposite — fully private, flexible, and designed around you, not around a bus schedule.
🚐 Private Comfort, Not a Factory Bus Tour
You travel with your own driver-guide and your own van — no strangers, no crowd, no microphone shouting.
- ✔️ Door-to-door pickup at your hotel or apartment in Milan.
- ✔️ Premium 7-seat van with space for legs, bags, cameras, and jackets.
- ✔️ Your own pace — you choose when to slow down, stop for photos, or move on.
🕰️ A Day Built Around Light, Weather, and Your Rhythm
Big operators must fill fixed departures and keep to a strict timetable. We work the other way round.
- ✔️ We choose the Bernina train time that makes sense for your date and daylight.
- ✔️ We adapt photo stops and the return route to real conditions — snow, sun, or clouds.
- ✔️ You get proper time in St. Moritz, not a quick lap around the station square.
👨🏫 Guided by the People Who Designed the Tour
This is not an anonymous “driver-only” transfer or a script read in two languages.
- ✔️ Tours led by licensed, Milan-based guides who specialise in the Bernina route.
- ✔️ We have personally led hundreds of Bernina days and know which details matter on the ground.
- ✔️ You get clear English explanations, honest tips, and context — not just “left side, right side” commentary.
💎 Legal, Insured, and Direct-Booking Friendly
Abroads Tours is a registered, insured Italian tour operator based in Lombardy.
- ✔️ Transparent pricing with clear inclusions and exclusions.
- ✔️ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure (as stated in your confirmation).
- ✔️ Direct booking means you support a small local company that chooses quality over volume.
What You'll Experience: bernina express private tour itinerary
In short:
A smooth, fully private Bernina Express day with hotel pickup, flexible timing, and a well-paced Alpine itinerary. More time in St. Moritz, better viewpoints, and none of the crowds or rigid schedules of big-bus tours.
🚐 1. Hotel Pickup in Milan
⏱️ Around 8:00–8:30 AM
Your private driver-guide meets you directly at your hotel or apartment. A short briefing, luggage in the van, and you begin your Alpine journey north.
☕ 2. Scenic Drive to Tirano
⏱️ Approx. 2 hours
A relaxing drive through the Valtellina valley. In Tirano, you take a short break for coffee or a light breakfast before boarding the Bernina Express.
🚆 3. Bernina Express: Tirano → St. Moritz
⏱️ Approx. 2 hours 20 minutes
Board the panoramic carriages and enjoy the UNESCO route: glaciers, alpine lakes, viaducts, and the 2,253m Bernina Pass. Your guide helps you find the best viewpoints.
🏔️ 4. Free Time in St. Moritz
⏱️ Approx. 1.5–2.5 hours
Explore St. Moritz at your own pace: lakeside walk, photos, boutiques, or lunch. Your guide suggests the best spots depending on season and interests.
🪂 5. Scenic Drive via Maloja Pass
⏱️ Approx. 2 hours
Rejoin your private van and descend the spectacular hairpin road of the Maloja Pass, with optional photo stops when conditions allow.
🌅 6. Optional Lake Como Stop
⏱️ 15–25 minutes (when possible)
When timing and traffic are favourable, your guide includes a short scenic stop on Lake Como — usually at one of its panoramic viewpoints.
🏡 7. Drop-Off in Milan
⏱️ Around 7:30–8:00 PM
Your guide drops you off directly at your hotel or apartment — the perfect end to a panoramic, relaxed Alpine day.
⏱️ Total duration: approx. 12–13 hours
🚶 Walking: light to moderate
🕖 Return to Milan: around 7:30–8:00 PM
Timings may vary slightly depending on season, train availability, weather, and road conditions — but the overall structure remains the same.
What’s Included
- ✔️ Private premium transport — 7-seat van with AC (Wi-Fi when available)
- ✔️ Door-to-door pickup & drop-off anywhere in Milan
- ✔️ Licensed English-speaking driver-guide specialising in Bernina & the Alps
- ✔️ Bernina Express panoramic train ticket (Tirano → St. Moritz, 2nd class)
- ✔️ Upgrade to 1st class available on request
- ✔️ Flexible scenic route with photo stops (Maloja Pass & lakes)
- ✔️ Free time in St. Moritz — lake walk, cafés, shopping
- ✔️ All planning, logistics & timing handled by your guide
- ✔️ Customer support before & after the tour
What’s Not Included
- ❌ Meals & drinks (your guide suggests great options)
- ❌ Personal purchases (souvenirs, snacks, etc.)
- ❌ Gratuities (optional)
- ❌ Optional train class upgrade (only if requested)
No Hidden Fees
Everything essential is included — private transport, Bernina tickets, guiding, logistics.
No surprises, no add-ons on the day.
About Us
Who We Are: The Guides Who Know Bernina Better Than Anyone
Abroads Tours was founded by Oleg and Stefano, licensed guides who have personally led over 800 Bernina Express tours across the Swiss Alps.
Before opening our own company, we spent years guiding for big operators. In 2018–2019, Oleg often ran two Bernina tours per week — sometimes on double-decker buses with up to 79 travelers. Those tours had no age limits, bilingual commentary, and extremely limited space: people competing for photos, selfie sticks over heads, crowded aisles, and barely enough time for lunch in Tirano or St. Moritz.
After hundreds of days like this — and appearing in dozens of 5-star reviews during those years — we decided to create the opposite experience: a private, relaxed, flexible Bernina day where you can actually enjoy the views, take photos without stress, and explore St. Moritz at your own pace.
This hands-on experience is why Abroads Tours is now one of the best-rated operators for the Bernina route, with 2,000+ five-star reviews across TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide, Viator, and Google for our day tours.
Our Philosophy: “Private Means Better”
Every element of this itinerary — departure time, train choice, photo stops, and routing — comes from real guiding experience on the Bernina line, not from a template created behind a desk.
- ✔️ Hands-on founders: Oleg and Stefano still guide this tour personally.
- ✔️ True expertise: We know the viewpoints, logistics, and seasonal tricks that make the difference.
- ✔️ No big buses, ever: We operate only private or very small vehicles for this experience.
- ✔️ Honest expectations: We clearly explain what the day includes — and what it doesn’t — so there are no surprises.
Customer Reviews (0)
"Chiara was amazing. So sweet and genuine. She made sure that we knew how to get around and had a great balance of exploration and explaining the history of everything. Would recommend to a friend… or maybe way more than one friend!"
"Kia was amazing and very attentive with our questions and needs. She not only accommodated us, as we arrive late, but she also gave us suggestions and help on places to eat, how to move around the train station and very good at making sure her whole group didn’t get lost."
"Our tour guide Naji was fantastic, hit a perfect blend of information while keeping the trip relaxing which is just what we were looking for. All the stops were well thought out and lots of time for sightseeing and doing your own thing, the gorge walk was definitely a highlight! Communication from the tour group was also clear in terms of meeting points and timing so no extra stress."
"We had a fantastic day trip to Lake Como and Lugano with Julia as our guide. She was incredibly informative, kind, and friendly, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The small group setting allowed for a personal and relaxed atmosphere, and we loved visiting places that felt authentic rather than touristy. So special! The itinerary was perfectly balanced with plenty of free time, never rushed, and the comfortable train ride added a relaxing touch to the day. Julia also gave us great food suggestions for lunch, which were delicious. Communication with the tour company was easy, making the whole process stress-free. Overall, this was a wonderfully organized trip with stunning scenery, thoughtful planning, and an outstanding guide. Highly recommended!"
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