Tirano in a nutshell
Tirano lies on the valley floor of Valtellina, on the Italian side of the border. It is the end point of the Bernina line in Italy and the place where two railway systems meet. Trenord runs from Milano Centrale to Tirano, and the Rhaetian Railway runs from Tirano into Switzerland. There is no through train from Milan to St. Moritz: you change here. The Perego buses to Bormio leave from a stop named Tirano FS/RhB Autostazione, in the same interchange area.
The town has two sights that need little time: the basilica and the gates of the old town. Most visitors use it as a stop before or after the Bernina line. This is an independent guide, not a page of the town, the church or a railway. Fares are as listed in 2026 and can change. The valley begins at the north end of Lake Como, if you come from the lakes.
The Basilica della Madonna di Tirano
The basilica stands on the Piazza della Basilica. It is a Renaissance church on a Latin cross plan with three naves. Religious tradition places a Marian apparition on 29 September 1504, and the foundation stone was laid on 25 March 1505. Its decorated interior is the main reason to go inside.
From 1 October 2026 the opening hours are listed as Monday to Sunday from 07:00 to 11:45 and from 14:30 to 18:45. That means a midday break. It is a working church, and being open does not mean a quiet visit during services. Ask on site about tickets, guided tours and organ times.
Our picks: Tirano
A guided ride through town and a return ticket on the Bernina Red Train.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Bernina Red Train return ticket, Tirano to St. Moritz
A return rail ticket with a timetable and a mini guide to the stops. No guide travels with you; food, drinks and the trip from Milan to Tirano are extra.
Check availability →
Eco-friendly guided tour of Tirano
A guided ride of 1.5 to 3 hours with photo stops and commentary. Luggage transport and storage are included; tips are not.
Check availability →Tirano tours and day trips
Bernina Express trips, wine experiences and day tours from Tirano, with live prices and availability.
The old town gates
The documented walk through the old town links the Porta Poschiavina, the Porta Milanese and the Porta Bormina with the remains of the Castello di Santa Maria, called the Castellaccio. In summer 2025 the town offered free guided walks: 1 hour at the basilica and 1.5 hours along the town walls and the Castellaccio. That was a past program, and it is not confirmed as a free regular offer for 2026.
Above the town, vines grow on terraced slopes of the Rhaetian side of the valley. The wine page explains the wines of Valtellina, including the five Superiore subzones.
Onward from Tirano
Times and fares for the main connections. Adult fares for the rail rows are those valid from 13 December 2026.
| To | How | Time | Fare example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milan | Trenord, direct | About 2 h 30 min | – |
| St. Moritz | Rhaetian Railway | About 2 h 15 min | CHF 35 second class, CHF 60 first class |
| Chur | Rhaetian Railway | About 4 h | CHF 69 second class, CHF 118 first class |
| Bormio | Perego bus A070 | About 60 min on one example | €6.20 single, 2026/27 |
| Livigno | Bus via Bormio (A072) | – | €6.20 from Bormio to Livigno Isola |
The Bernina panoramic cars add a paid reservation, while the regional train needs only a ticket; see the ticket guide. The times are guide figures from the railway and the bus timetable, and individual trains can take longer, so use them as a rough plan. The line climbs from Tirano through Brusio and Poschiavo to Alp Grüm and Ospizio Bernina before it reaches Pontresina, and the Bernina Express page follows that route. Do not read the two bus fares as a through ticket. There is no direct train to Bormio or Livigno.
Stations, the bypass and the season
The Trenord station and the Rhaetian Railway station are the two ends of the interchange. The red Bernina trains also run on the street in the town center, which is part of the line's character. The Bernina winter timetable runs from 26 October to 12 December 2026, and a new timetable starts on 13 December 2026.
The SS38 bypass of Tirano, 6.6 km long, opened to full traffic on 4 August 2026. The ministry's report says remaining works, including an emergency tunnel, are planned until December. Older texts that call the bypass unfinished are out of date. Check the signs on arrival for parking fees and restricted-traffic times in the old town.
Plan from Tirano
The pages most visitors need next.
Tirano: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Milan to Tirano?
Trenord runs directly from Milano Centrale to Tirano in about 2 hours 30 minutes, with regular hourly departures. The operator sells tickets through its own channels, so check the price when you book.
Is there a through train from Milan to St. Moritz?
No. Trenord ends in Tirano, and the Rhaetian Railway continues from there. You change at Tirano.
When is the Basilica della Madonna di Tirano open?
From 1 October 2026 it is listed as open daily from 07:00 to 11:45 and from 14:30 to 18:45. Services can limit visits, and hours can change, so check on site.
Do I need a reservation for the regional Bernina train?
No. A valid ticket is enough. A seat reservation is optional at CHF 5 per person and direction, in both classes. The panoramic cars require a paid reservation.
Can I reach Bormio and Livigno from Tirano by train?
No. There is no train to either. A Perego bus runs from Tirano to Bormio, and another from Bormio to Livigno. The ordinary single fare is €6.20 for each of these legs in the 2026/27 fare file.