Choosing a base in Valtellina
Valtellina is a long valley, and the towns in it serve different plans. Some sit on the railway, others are reached by bus and mountain road. This guide describes areas by transport and by what each offers. It does not rank hotels and it names none, because prices and quality change, so compare current offers yourself.
This is an independent guide, not run by a tourist office, a hotel group or a booking site. Tax rates below are as listed for 2026.
Bases compared
By transport and by what you can do from there.
| Base | Best for | Getting there | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tirano | Bernina trains and arrival from Milan | Direct Trenord train from Milano Centrale; Rhaetian Railway to Switzerland | Rail and bus change point |
| Bormio | Old town, thermal baths, winter skiing | Bus from Tirano; no railway | Gateway to the Stelvio road in season |
| Livigno | Skiing and summer lifts, shopping | Bus via Bormio or mountain road; no railway | Own tourist tax scale |
| Sondrio | Terraced vineyards and Valmalenco | Not a stop on the Bernina line | Base for wine, not for the railway |
| Chiavenna | Crotti and the Valchiavenna | Check the current timetable | Separate sub-area of the region |
Tours and day trips from Valtellina
Excursions from Tirano, Bormio, Livigno and Sondrio, with live prices and availability.
Tirano and Bormio
Tirano is the place to sleep if you want the Bernina trains in the morning or an easy arrival from Milan. The direct Trenord train takes about 2 hours 30 minutes, and the Rhaetian Railway leaves from here for Switzerland. See the pages on Tirano and the Bernina Express.
Bormio suits you if you want the old town, thermal baths or winter skiing nearby. It has no railway. The regular bus from Tirano costs €6.20, and the run in the example timetable takes about 60 minutes, though other runs differ. See Bormio, the thermal baths and the ski areas.
Livigno hotels and apartments
Livigno is its own destination with a ski area in winter and lifts, bike trails and a lake in summer. It is reached by bus or car over mountain roads, and the Munt La Schera tunnel and the passes have their own opening rules. Allow extra time, and read the Livigno guide before you book.
The Livigno tax scale covers hotels, bed and breakfasts, apartments, campsites and mountain huts. Ski pass day prices for 2026/27 rise with the period, from €51.50 to €74.50 for an adult, so the dates you pick affect the whole trip.
Sondrio and Chiavenna
Sondrio works as a base for the terraced vineyards and for Valmalenco. It is not a stop on the Bernina line, so do not choose it if the railway is your main reason for coming. Our wine page explains what to see on the slopes.
Chiavenna suits the crotti, the old natural cellars of the Valchiavenna, and the area around it. Treat it as its own sub-area of the region. See Chiavenna for the details.
Winter or summer: how the season changes your base
The same town can be quiet or busy depending on the lifts.
Winter skiing
Bormio plans its winter season from 4 December 2026 to 11 April 2027. That is an operator plan, not a snow guarantee. The Bormio ski area lists 50 km, Santa Caterina 35 km and Cima Piazzi to San Colombano 25 km, 110 km in total. The areas are linked by a ski bus that is free for ski pass holders, and they are not one connected network. A one-day adult pass costs €59 in the example periods for 2026/27.
Summer lifts and passes
Livigno's Carosello lift ran from 20 June to 13 September in 2026, and the next dates will be announced later. The Stelvio road is a seasonal road, and nobody can promise that it is open on a given day. See the Stelvio Pass page for the details.
Autumn and spring
Many lifts are closed between seasons. The winter bus timetable has been valid since 14 September 2026, so do not rely on summer buses to the high lakes and passes. Check each service for your dates.
Santa Caterina Valfurva and Val Masino
Two places that work better as a trip than as a base.
Santa Caterina Valfurva has its own ski area with 35 km of pistes and is reached by bus line A073 from Bormio. If skiing is your main plan, it can make sense to stay in Bormio and take the ski bus. Val Masino and the Val di Mello are best treated as a day trip, because the car access to the valley is limited to 40 vehicles a day, with a €12 tourist pass. On foot, access is free. See the Val di Mello page before you plan the day.
Tourist tax in 2026
A per-person, per-night charge, as listed for 2026.
| Bormio, hotel or residence | Per person and night |
|---|---|
| 5 stars | €4 |
| 4 stars | €3 |
| 3 stars | €2.50 |
| 2 stars | €2 |
| 1 star | €1.50 |
The Bormio rates rest on a municipal decision of 5 December 2025 for 2026. Do not apply them to Valdidentro or Valfurva.
| Livigno | Per person and night |
|---|---|
| Hotel, 5 stars | €4 |
| Hotel, 4 stars | €3.50 |
| Hotel, 3 stars | €2.50 |
| Hotel, 2 or 1 star | €2 |
| Bed and breakfast, affittacamere | €2 |
| Holiday apartments and short tourist rentals | €1.50 |
| Camping, hostels, mountain huts | €1.50 |
The Livigno regulation sets a limit of 7 consecutive nights for the tax. It words the exemption for minors in two ways, "up to the completion of the fifteenth year" and, in brackets, "16 years not completed". Ask your host which one applies to your children.
Before you book
Practical points that save trouble.
Getting there
Trains, buses and the passes into Livigno.
Skiing
Bormio, Livigno, Aprica and other areas with 2026/27 prices.
Weather and best time
Which season suits which plan.
Check parking with your host before you book, as it is not guaranteed to be free. If you also plan days at Lake Como, the Lake Como accommodation guide covers Bellagio, Varenna and Como.
Where to stay in Valtellina: frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to stay in Valtellina?
It depends on your plan. Tirano suits the Bernina trains, Bormio the old town and baths, Livigno skiing and summer lifts, Sondrio the vineyards and Chiavenna the crotti.
Where should I stay for the Bernina Express?
Tirano, where the Rhaetian Railway starts and where direct Trenord trains from Milan arrive. Sondrio is not a stop on the Bernina line.
Is there a train to Bormio or Livigno?
No. Take the train to Tirano and continue by bus. Livigno also has a bus link from Zernez in Switzerland.
How much is the tourist tax?
In 2026 Bormio charges €1.50 to €4 per person and night for hotels and residences by star category. Livigno charges €1.50 to €4 depending on the type of accommodation. Rates are per person and night, as listed for 2026.
Are hotel prices on this page?
No. Prices change with the date, and the guide names no hotels. Compare current offers for your dates.