geocalia
Day itinerary · 46.50° N · 9.84° E
Coffee at Hanselmann, the Bernina line by regional train to Tirano and back, and the funicular to Muottas Muragl for dinner in the last light over the lakes.
The plan
Any part can be swapped for another without spoiling the day.
from Zurich HB with a change at Landquart; if you sleep in the Engadine, start at 10:00
coffee and walnut cake on the Via Maistra; open every day from 7:30
Via Maistra 8, 7500 St. Moritz · +41 81 833 38 64
regional train to Tirano, 2 h 12; CHF 70 return in 2nd; have lunch on your own in Tirano
the 15:00 regional train from Tirano to Punt Muragl and a 10-minute funicular; afternoon ascent from 18:00, CHF 18
+41 81 830 00 00
book a window table; dinner from 18:00 to 21:00
Punt Muragl 3, 7503 Samedan · +41 81 842 82 32
funicular to Punt Muragl and the 20:59 train to Zurich HB, arriving at 0:48; better to sleep in Pontresina
Adds up the activities and meals in the plan at their published prices; travel and accommodation not included.
The route
A whole day of train travel on the Bernina line, a World Heritage site, without paying for the panoramic service: the regional train runs on the same track as the Bernina Express, climbs to the Ospizio Bernina at 2,253 m, passes Lago Bianco and the Palü Glacier, stops at Alp Grüm and spirals down over the Brusio viaduct to Tirano, already in Italy. Beforehand, coffee at Hanselmann, St. Moritz's tea room from 1894. Afterwards, back in the Engadine, the Muottas Muragl funicular and dinner at the Panoramarestaurant, at 2,456 m, in the last light over the lakes.
It is more than three hours by train from Zurich: if you can, sleep in Pontresina or St. Moritz and start at ten.
Fly to Zurich, with direct flights from several Spanish cities, and continue by train from the airport station to Zurich HB and St. Moritz, with one change at Landquart or Chur. The alternative is to fly to Milan and enter the Engadine via Tirano on this same Bernina train. Arrive the evening before.
7:07 · Train from Zurich. With a change at Landquart and the Vereina tunnel, you reach St. Moritz at 10:12.
10:15 · Coffee at Hanselmann. On the Via Maistra, by the St. Maurice fountain. Order the Engadiner Nusstorte, the walnut tart, and buy a Birnbrot for the train.
10:48 · Bernina train to Tirano. The regional train leaves St. Moritz station and reaches Tirano at 13:00. If you want a guaranteed seat, reservation is optional and costs CHF 5. Have lunch in Tirano on your own: you have two hours.
15:00 · Train back to Punt Muragl. You arrive at 17:09. The funicular leaves every 30 minutes and takes 10 minutes; the afternoon ride up, from 18:00, costs CHF 18.
18:30 · Dinner at the Panoramarestaurant Muottas Muragl. Pizzoccheri, rösti or the Arctic char with spinach, and Engadiner Nusstorte if you didn't have it in the morning. Book and ask for a window.
20:45 · Return. Funicular down and, if you are not sleeping in the Engadine, the 20:59 train to Zurich HB, arriving at 0:48.
The St. Moritz – Tirano train costs CHF 35 one way and CHF 70 return in second class; with the Swiss Travel Pass it is included. The Muottas Muragl funicular costs CHF 42.50 return by day and CHF 18 for the afternoon ride up; it does not accept the Half Fare card or the GA. Dinner is CHF 50 to 90 per person.
Where to eat
Lunch is half the plan: book before you set off.
What to order: a coffee with a slice of Engadiner Nusstorte, the house walnut and caramel tart; for the road, Birnbrot, the pear bread of Graubünden.
What to order: at lunchtime, the gratinéed capuns or the pizzoccheri; if there are several of you, the Graubünden platter of cured meats and cheese to share, and a slice of the house walnut tart with coffee.
What to order: at lunchtime, the Valtellina pizzoccheri or the rösti with egg and bacon, and the Engadiner Nusstorte for dessert; for dinner, book a window table at sunset.
Map
With where to park at each one.
Getting there
When to go
The Bernina train runs all year, but the Panoramarestaurant at Muottas Muragl only opens in season, from 19 December 2026 to 4 April 2027 and from June to October. In winter the sun sets around five: bring the ride up forward.
Tips
It is the same track, runs more often and on the Bernina line it has windows that open.
The sun sets early: take the train back from Tirano early in the afternoon.
Window tables at sunset are the first to go.
Questions
Yes, if you like trains: it is four and a half hours seated, but the scenery changes from glacier to vineyard.
The train, yes. The Muottas Muragl funicular accepts neither the pass nor Swiss discounts.
No. In 2026-27 it is open from 19 December to 4 April, and in summer from June to October.
Yes, on the 20:59 train from Punt Muragl, which arrives after midnight. Better to sleep there.
More plans like this
geocalia.com/en/switzerland/graubunden/engadine/itineraries/bernina-train-to-tirano
Prices, opening hours and times are approximate: check them before you go. Each place has its own page on Geocalia.
Geocaliahttps://www.geocalia.com/en/switzerland/graubunden/engadine/itineraries/bernina-train-to-tirano
