St. Moritz lies at 1,822 m in the Upper Engadin valley of Graubünden, south-eastern Switzerland, between the Maloja and Bernina passes. Here are the practical ways in — by rail, by air, by road, and how to move around once you arrive.
By train — Rhaetian Railway
St. Moritz station is the terminus of the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway. From Zurich Airport take the IC to Chur (about 1h20), then the RhB Albula line to St. Moritz (about 2h). From Italy, the Bernina Express runs up from Tirano year-round.
Zurich → St. Moritz: ~3h20
Chur → St. Moritz: ~2h
Tirano → St. Moritz: ~2h30
By air — Engadin Airport & Zurich
Engadin Airport (SMV) in Samedan sits at 1,707 m, roughly 10 minutes from St. Moritz, and handles private and charter aviation. Scheduled travellers usually fly into Zurich (ZRH) or Milan Malpensa (MXP) and continue by train or private transfer.
Samedan (SMV): 10 min
Zurich (ZRH): ~3h30 by road
Milan (MXP): ~4h by road
By car — the mountain passes
From the north, the Julier Pass (2,284 m) is open year-round and is the most reliable winter approach. The Albula, Bernina, Maloja and Flüela passes offer scenic alternatives; Bernina links to Italy, Maloja to the Lakes. The Vereina car-carrying train bypasses the Flüela in winter.
Julier: open all year
Vereina car train: Selfranga → Sagliains
Winter tyres required
Locally — buses, PostAuto & hotel shuttles
Engadin Bus and PostAuto connect St. Moritz Dorf, Bad, Celerina, Pontresina, Silvaplana and Sils. Most hotel guests travel free on local buses with their guest card, and the mountain railway valley stations are all on the network.
Guest card: free local buses
Dorf ↔ Bad: ~6 min
Taxis and transfers on request
Where exactly is St. Moritz?
St. Moritz (Romansh: San Murezzan) sits on Lake St. Moritz in the canton of Graubünden, about 200 km south-east of Zurich and 180 km north-east of Milan. The village is split between St. Moritz Dorf, on the terrace above the lake, and St. Moritz Bad at the valley floor, home to the mineral springs the resort was founded on.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to St. Moritz from Zurich?
Take the InterCity train from Zurich Airport or Zurich HB to Chur (about 1h20), then change to the Rhaetian Railway Albula line to St. Moritz (about 2h). Total journey time is roughly 3h20. By road it is about 200 km and 3h30 over the Julier Pass.
Does St. Moritz have an airport?
Yes — Engadin Airport (SMV) in Samedan is about 10 minutes away at 1,707 m and serves private and charter aviation. Scheduled flights use Zurich (ZRH, ~3h30 by road) or Milan Malpensa (MXP, ~4h by road), with a train or private transfer for the final leg.
Which pass is open to St. Moritz in winter?
The Julier Pass (2,284 m) is open year-round and is the most reliable winter approach from the north. The Flüela can close in winter, but the Vereina car-carrying train from Selfranga to Sagliains bypasses it. Winter tyres are required.
Do you need a car in St. Moritz?
No. Engadin Bus and PostAuto link St. Moritz Dorf and Bad with Celerina, Pontresina, Silvaplana and Sils, and every mountain railway valley station is on the network. Most hotel guests travel free on local buses with their guest card.
How long is the train from Tirano to St. Moritz?
About 2h30 on the Bernina Express, which runs year-round from Tirano in Italy over the Bernina Pass — one of the UNESCO-listed sections of the Rhaetian Railway.
Once you are here
Plan the first day with our day planner, check mountain railway opening times before heading up, or open the interactive map to see everything within walking distance of your hotel.
