Autumn transforms the Alps into an impressionist painting. The forests change colour, the larches take on golden hues and the woods light up with red and orange. If you love these views, don’t waste time and get on board the Bernina Red Train, one of the most beautiful railway routes in the world, a UNESCO heritage site since 2008.
A journey through two nations
The train leaves from Tirano, a town in Lombardy located 400 meters above sea level, and goes up the mountain until it reaches St. Moritz, the famous Swiss resort. During the journey it crosses four cantons and two countries, climbing up to the Bernina Pass. Here, at 2,253 meters above sea level, is the Rifugio Ospizio Bernina, which in Europe is the highest point that can be reached by train.
The Rhaetian Railway has operated this line for over a century. In 2008, UNESCO recognized the route as a world heritage site and the reason is simple: few other railway routes offer a comparable variety of landscapes, given that in two and a half hours you pass from the Italian Valtellina to Alpine glaciers, from terraced vineyards to high-altitude lakes, from coniferous forests to snow-capped peaks.
Timetables for autumn 2025
In this period the train runs ten times a day from Tirano towards St. Moritz and nine in the opposite direction. The summer timetable remains valid until 26 October, then the winter timetable takes over and will remain active until 13 December 2025. The main difference concerns frequency, because in winter the trips are slightly reduced.
Each season offers a different experience: autumn has the charm of foliage, with the woods exploding in a thousand warm shades, winter offers the spectacle of snow covering everything, creating a fairytale landscape, spring brings the awakening of nature, while summer shows green pastures and alpine flowers.
The stages of the journey
After departing from Tirano, the train stops in Brusio, famous for its helical viaduct, an extraordinary engineering feat that allows the convoy to gain altitude by describing a complete circle. We continue towards Poschiavo, an Alpine village that retains its nineteenth-century charm intact.
The climb continues up to Lago Bianco, a turquoise body of water surrounded by glaciers. Shortly afterwards you arrive at Alp Grüm, defined as “the balcony on the glaciers” due to the splendid view you can enjoy from the small station. Here many travelers choose to stop to have lunch at the panoramic restaurant and photograph the Palü glacier.
The culminating point is the Bernina Pass, followed by the descent towards Pontresina and finally St. Moritz, the final destination of the journey. Each intermediate stop can become an opportunity to get off, explore the surroundings and catch the next train: flexibility is one of the strong points of this journey.
Tickets and prices
The cost of the trip depends on the class chosen. In second class, a single journey from Tirano to St. Moritz costs 33 euros per person, so the round trip costs 66 euros. Those who prefer first class pay 57 euros for the single route or 114 euros for the complete ticket.
Prices are reduced if you travel only part of the journey. Those who live in Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto or Emilia Romagna can use the Trenino Rosso VIP Service, a bus connection that takes you directly to Tirano. Tickets can be purchased online indicating departure, arrival, dates and number of passengers, and it is possible to request a refund up to the fourth working day before departure, even if a small fee is applied.
Complete packages and experiences
Do you want to transform the trip into a more complex experience? No problem, because there are various proposals capable of satisfying even the most daring. The “Weekend + Little Red Train + St. Moritz + Typical Dinner + Spa” package costs 259 euros and includes accommodation, train travel, a traditional dinner and access to the spa. Available dates range from October 2025 to March 2026.
The “Livigno Markets + Red Train” option can already be booked in November at the price of 149 euros, a solution that combines the charm of the train journey with a visit to the Christmas markets, perfect for those who want to savor the atmosphere of the Alpine holidays.
For information and reservations visit the website traininorosso.it
