The most scenic way from St. Moritz to Lake Como is to ride the Bernina Express over the Bernina Pass to Tirano in Italy, then continue by private car down the Valtellina to the lake. St. Moritz itself is about 400 km and 5 h from Geneva Airport, so many travellers combine this journey with a longer Swiss trip. AirportsTransfers.ch can drive you to St. Moritz, carry your luggage round to Tirano and take you on to your hotel on Lake Como.
- Start: St. Moritz, about 400 km / 5 h from GVA
- Train section: St. Moritz to Tirano on the Bernina line, part of a UNESCO World Heritage railway
- Road section: Tirano through the Valtellina to Lake Como
- Border crossing: the train crosses into Italy before Tirano
- Best for: scenery lovers, couples and anyone heading from Switzerland to the Italian lakes
The Bernina line in brief
The Bernina railway climbs from the Engadine over the Bernina Pass, then drops steeply to Tirano in the Valtellina. Together with the Albula line, it forms the Rhaetian Railway's UNESCO World Heritage site. Highlights include the Morteratsch Glacier views, the summit station of Ospizio Bernina beside Lago Bianco, the dramatic viewpoint at Alp Grüm overlooking the Palü Glacier, and the circular viaduct at Brusio, where the line spirals down to lose height. The train runs without rack assistance despite the steep gradients, which is part of what makes the line famous.
The Bernina Express service uses panoramic coaches and requires a seat reservation. Regional trains on the same line are an alternative and allow you to hop off at viewpoints, though they lack the panoramic windows.
Getting to St. Moritz first
From Geneva Airport, St. Moritz is about 400 km and 5 h by road via Zurich and Chur. A private transfer turns this into a single leg with stops as you wish. Alternatively, arrive by train, perhaps on the Glacier Express from Zermatt, and use a chauffeur for the Italian end of the journey only. Spending a night or two in St. Moritz before the train lets you enjoy the Engadine lakes and avoids rushing to the station.
Luggage and the transfer at Tirano
Panoramic trains have limited space for large cases, so a common plan is to travel with a small bag on board while your chauffeur drives the main luggage from St. Moritz to Tirano. The road crosses the Bernina Pass too, through Poschiavo, and reaches Tirano in time to meet you at the station. From there, the onward journey begins with everything already in the car.
- Agree a meeting point at Tirano station in advance; your driver will wait if the train is late.
- Keep passports or identity cards with you on the train, since you change country.
- Consider a short walk in Tirano to see the Basilica of the Madonna di Tirano before driving on.
From Tirano to Lake Como
The road from Tirano follows the Valtellina westwards, a valley of terraced vineyards known for its red wines made from the Nebbiolo grape, locally called Chiavennasca, and for bresaola, the air-dried beef. It reaches the northern tip of Lake Como near Colico, from where you can continue along either shore. The drive to the central lake, around Menaggio, Varenna or Bellagio, takes a couple of hours in normal traffic; the town of Como at the southern end takes longer. Lakeside roads are narrow and winding, and a chauffeur familiar with them makes the final stretch much easier, especially to villa hotels with steep access drives.
Once settled, explore by ferry: the lake's boats link Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio and Tremezzo, and gardens such as Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello are popular visits.
When to travel
The Bernina line runs all year, and each season changes the experience. In winter the high section around Ospizio Bernina is deep in snow and Lago Bianco lies frozen, while Tirano, only a few hours later, can feel almost mild. Late spring and summer bring green slopes and long days, ideal for lingering by Lake Como afterwards. Autumn colours the Valtellina vineyards and is harvest time. Lake Como itself is busiest in high summer; May, June and September often combine pleasant weather with a calmer atmosphere in the villages and on the ferries.
Booking with AirportsTransfers.ch
Book each road section online. A fixed price per vehicle is displayed before you pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, and does not change with traffic. If your journey starts at Geneva Airport, your driver follows your flight, waits in arrivals with a name sign and accommodates delays. The S-Class First Class Sedan suits couples on a long route, while the V-Class Van seats up to seven with ten bags. Child seats are available on request, and companies can receive invoices. To coordinate train times and luggage, call or WhatsApp AirportsTransfers.ch on +41 78 346 56 77.
