Excursions from St. Moritz to Italy and Sils

Most excursions from St. Moritz use the Rhaetian Railway (RhB), which has a station in the village. This page covers the four that visitors ask about, with times, fees and the dates when each one does not run. Costs are in Swiss francs (CHF).

Key facts

  • Tirano, Italy: about 2 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min each way on the Bernina line.
  • Morteratsch: a free glacier trail, about 6 km return at most.
  • Lake Sils boat: Sils Maria to Maloja in about 40 minutes, summer only.
  • Glacier Express: reservation about CHF 54, paused 11 October to 4 December 2026.

Tirano and the Bernina line

The Bernina line holds UNESCO World Heritage status and crosses into Italy, so bring a passport or ID card. Panoramic carriages need a reserved seat, and the fee is about CHF 32 for each direction. The winter timetable began on 26 October and runs to 12 December 2026, so confirm your train on rhb.ch . Swiss Travel Pass holders ride the base fare for free, but pay the reservation separately.

Morteratsch glacier

Go by train to Morteratsch, then walk the free trail to the glacier. Plan around 6 km for the return at most. Keep behind the warning ropes. The ice cave is a hazard and should not be entered.

Sils Maria and the lake

Sils Maria has the Nietzsche-Haus, and visitors should ask about its hours before making a special trip. In summer the Lake Sils boat sails from Sils Maria to Maloja, with several departures a day, and each crossing takes about 40 minutes. No boat sails in winter.

Glacier Express

This long scenic railway journey needs a reservation costing about CHF 54. It is paused from 11 October to 4 December 2026, so check dates before you plan it around a short stay.

Practical advice

  • Leave on an early train so the return fits in daylight.
  • Check the RhB timetable for the date, as services change in the shoulder seasons.
  • Cable cars in the Engadin are not covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, so keep a separate budget if you add one.
  • Carry warm layers for any mountain stop.

Read more: Multi-day trips from St. Moritz shows how to fit several of these into one stay.

Booking help

Compare guided excursions on Viator . For local route information see engadin.ch .