Marco Crisciotti In 2025 it will be possible to admire fall foliage thanks to the Bernina Red Train, with a wonderful route connecting the town of Tirano, in the province of Sondrio, to St. Moritz in Switzerland. Here are the autumn 2025 schedules, ticket costs and stops along the UNESCO route.
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Autumn transforms the Alps into an impressionist painting. Forests change color, larches take on golden tones, and woods light up in red and orange. If you love these panoramas, don’t waste time and climb aboard the Bernina Red Train, one of the most beautiful railway routes in the world, a UNESCO heritage site since 2008.
A journey across two nations
The train departs from Tirano, a Lombard town located 1,312 feet (400 meters) above sea level, and climbs the mountain until reaching St. Moritz, the famous Swiss resort. During the journey it crosses four cantons and two nations, ascending to the Bernina Pass. Here, at 7,391 feet (2,253 meters) altitude, stands the Ospizio Bernina Refuge, which is the highest point in Europe that can be reached by train.
The Rhaetian Railway has managed this line for over a century. In 2008 UNESCO recognized the route as a world heritage site and the reason is clear: few other railway routes offer a comparable variety of landscapes, since in two and a half hours you pass from the Italian Valtellina to alpine glaciers, from terraced vineyards to high-altitude lakes, from conifer forests to snow-capped peaks.
Schedules for autumn 2025
During this period the little train runs ten daily trips from Tirano to St. Moritz and nine in the opposite direction. The summer schedule remains valid until October 26, then the winter schedule takes over and will remain active until December 13, 2025. The main difference concerns frequency, because in winter the trips undergo a slight reduction.
Each season offers a different experience: autumn has the charm of fall foliage, with woods exploding in a thousand warm shades, winter offers the spectacle of snow covering everything, creating a fairytale landscape, spring brings nature’s awakening, while summer shows green pastures and alpine flowers.
Route stops
After departing from Tirano, the train stops at Brusio, famous for its circular viaduct, an extraordinary engineering work that allows the convoy to gain altitude by describing a complete circle. It continues toward Poschiavo, an alpine village that preserves its nineteenth-century charm intact.
The ascent continues to Lago Bianco, a turquoise-colored body of water surrounded by glaciers. Shortly after you arrive at Alp Grüm, called “the balcony on the glaciers” for the splendid view enjoyed from the small station. Here many travelers choose to stop for lunch at the panoramic restaurant and photograph the Palü glacier.
The culminating point is the Bernina Pass, followed by the descent toward Pontresina and finally St. Moritz, the journey’s final destination. Each intermediate stop can become an opportunity to get off, explore the surroundings and catch a later train: flexibility is one of this journey’s strong points.
Tickets and prices
The journey cost depends on the class chosen. In second class a single trip from Tirano to St. Moritz costs €33 ($36) per person, so round trip comes to €66 ($73). Those who prefer first class pay €57 ($63) for a single trip or €114 ($126) for the complete ticket.
Prices are reduced if you travel only part of the route. Those who live in Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto or Emilia Romagna can take advantage of the Trenino Rosso Vip Service, a bus connection that takes you directly to Tirano. Tickets are purchased online indicating departure, arrival, dates and number of passengers, and it’s possible to request a refund up to the fourth working day before departure, although a small fee is applied.
Packages and complete experiences
Do you want to transform the trip into a more elaborate experience? No problem, because there are several proposals that can satisfy even the most adventurous. The “Weekend + Red Train + St. Moritz + Traditional Dinner + Spa” package costs €259 ($286) and includes overnight stay, train journey, a traditional dinner and spa access. Available dates run from October 2025 to March 2026.
In November the “Livigno Christmas Markets + Red Train” option is already bookable at the price of €149 ($164), a solution that combines the charm of the train journey with a visit to Christmas markets, perfect for those who want to savor the atmosphere of alpine holidays.
For information and reservations visit the website treninorosso.it
