Rail Pass Itinerary: Scenic Journeys

Milan → 'Centovali Railway' → Milan → Marseille → Nimes → Lyon → Montreux → Milan → Innsbruck → Venice/Venezia → Rome/Roma → Milan

We've constructed this itinerary so that every day of travel includes some fabulous views which can be seen from the train.

In order to take as many scenic journeys as possible, you will have to make more connections than on our other suggested itineraries.
However, don't let that put you off, we've personally checked out all of these suggested connections between trains, confirming that they should be relatively stress free!
This itinerary has also been put together to minimise additional reservation fees.

OR our Concierge rail travel planning service, could help you plan a similar itinerary.

The required rail pass:

If you use a 10 days of travel within 2 months InterRail Global Pass OR a 10 days within 2 months Eurail Global Pass you can take breaks between your days of train travel.
You can then spend some time in fabulous destinations including Marseille, Nimes, Lyon, Innsbruck, Venice and Rome.

From and to Milano:

This rail pass itinerary starts and finishes in Milano, which has three ticks in the box:

(1) Milano is an international rail hub.
So an easy option is to use a purchase a pass valid for 15 days of travel, so that you can use these additional five days of travel to travel to and from Milano by train.

(2) It’s also a budget airline destination - after all you don't have to take a train from/to Milan.

(3) Milan has direct flights from destinations outside Europe - so ideal if you'll be flying into the continent, to use a Eurail Pass.
Malpensa Airport is connected to the city by the Malpensa Express rail service.

Managing Luggage:

The itinerary also loops back to the city at the close of day 6, so you can also split your luggage.
Leave some of your luggage at your hotel, or deposit it in the left luggage at Milano Centrale station, when you set off on Day 2
Then on day 6 pick up the new bags and leave the luggage you'll have used on Days 2 - 6 behind.

Most of the journeys are clickable, so you can access more useful info about each individual train ride including:

(1) All you need to know about the stations where you will be joining and leaving the train.

(2) What to expect when on board each train, such as catering facilities and tips for how to manage your luggage.

(3) Insights for scenic journeys - what to look out for, which side of the train to sit on for the best of the views etc.

Plus if you click the station buttons on the journey guides, you will also usually* find:
(1) Lists of overnight accommodation with easy access to the station and with high user ratings;
(2) Links to destination guides to help you make the most of each location.
*Just the big cities, for now.

Don’t be alarmed by the amount of trains we suggest on day one, particularly as this is a day trip from Milano; so you won’t have to ferry your luggage.

It includes the two most scenic railways on the Swiss/Italian border:
(1) The Centovali Line between Domodossola and Locarno is a must, not least because it’s free for Eurail and InterRail pass users.
(2) The MG Railway to/from Capalago; though this line doesn’t offer any discounts on its tickets to Eurail and InterRail pass users.

Take your passport, you will be heading into Switzerland!

Part 1:

• Depart: Milano Centrale before 08:45 on a regional 'Ticino' train, which will be heading to Locarno.
• Leave this train at Mendrisio and connect there into a local train for a two station hop on to Capalago-Riva S.Vitale - this train will be heading to Giubiasco.

Part 2:
From Capalago-Riva S.Vitale you can take ride on the stunning Monte Generoso railway though note that the journey isn't covered by Eurail or InterRail passes.

Part 3:
Once you're back in Capalago-Riva S.Vitale, you will need to head on to Locarno, which is done by making a connection in Lugano.
You can then take some time between trains in the beautiful lake side town of Locarno.

Part 4:
Depart Locarno shorty after 15:45 for the lovely ride on the Centovali Railway, back over the border to Domodossola - sit on the left for the best of the views.

Note that in Locarno, the Centovali station is at a lower level beside the mainline station.

Part 5:
Around 20 - 25 mins after arrival in Domodossola, there will typically be a Regionale train heading back to Milano - it should arrive into Porta Garibaldi station before 20:30.
If you will be taking this journey by daylight, there are views over Lake Maggiore on the left-hand side!

Before setting off on Day Two, it's a good idea to visit the ticket office in Milano Centrale station and book the reservations for all of the Italian Intercity trains

• this train to Ventimiglia,
• the train from Ancona to Roma on Day Nine,
• the trains from Roma to Genova

(1) Depart Milano Centrale at 09:10 by IC train
Reservation fee = €3 for 1st and 2nd class pass users
To make the most of the sea views you need to be sat on the left on departure from Genova; where the train will have reversed direction.
(2) Depart Ventimiglia/Ventimille at by TER train to Antibes - the train will be heading to Grasse.
Seat reservations are not available on this train.
(3) At Antibes you can remain on the same platform for a train on to Marseille.
Take the TER train and you will arrive in Marseille before 18:15.

Sit on the left on the upper deck for the best of the sea views - you'll be looking over the beaches and marinas of the Cote D'Azur between Nice and Frejus.

and then the sea can also be seen after departure from Toulon.

A ride on the most stunning coastal railway in France!

• Depart: Marseille St Charles at around 10:50 on the train to Mirimas which will be travelling through Sausset-l-Pins
  This train takes the spectacular Cote Blue route west of Marseille, sit on the left when boarding to make the most of the views.
• At Mirimas connect into a TER train on to Avignon-Centre
• Take a TER train on to Nimes - where the arrival will typically be before 16:15.

Seat reservations are not available on this train.

Train One:

• Depart: Nîmes at around 08;15
• Arrive: Clermont Ferrand at around 13:15

Views from railway bridges/viaducts don't get more spectacular than that from the Le viaduc de Chamborigaud.
Sit on the left of the train and look out when the train departs from Chambirogaud station, around 1hr 5mins into the journey.
The viaduct isn't the only spectacular sight on this journey, for more than 30 mins after Villefort the train takes a spectacular passage through a series of deep river valleys - the Gorges De L'Allier; the best of these views are also on the left.

The railway then follows the rivers for more than an hour to Langeac - and on this part of the journey there are great views from both sides of the train.

Train 2:
Depart: Clermont Ferrand at 14:02
Arrive: Lyon Part-Dieu at 16:26

Train 3:
Depart: Lyon Part-Dieu at 16:38
Arrive: Geneve at 18:38

As will be seen below this day of travel comprises a stunning round trip from Geneve.
Seat reservations are not available on these trains.

Monday to Friday and Sunday

• Depart: Geneve at around 09:15
• Depart: Annemasse at around 10:00
• Arrive St Gervais-Les-Bains-Les Fayet at around 11:15

Saturday

• Depart: Geneve at around 08:15
• Depart: Annemasse at around 9:00
• Arrive St Gervais-Les-Bains-Les Fayet at around 10:15

Option to take a return trip on the Mont Blanc tramway - not covered by the passes.

Then ride of the route of the Mont Blanc Express from St Gervais to Martigny, the trains are hourly, but a guaranteed simple-as-can-be connection is required in Vallorcine.
The end-to-end journey takes around 2hrs 15mins

There are good views from both sides of the train, between Vallorcine and Les Marécottes the best of the views are on the right, but the descent to Martigny, pictured above, can be best appreciated on the left.

There will then be 2 x direct IR trains per hour back to Geneva with a journey time of around 1hr 40mins - hop on any of these trains with a pass.

At face value, the connections between the trains on this day seem tightly timed, but you’ll be changing trains in Switzerland, so making the onward trains in time should be virtually guaranteed.
All of the connections at each station should be on the same level, so getting your bags from one train to another shouldn’t be too arduous either.

Also stock up on food/drink before you set off and picnic on the trains, you won’t have time to pick up provisions on route, though your efforts will be rewarded; this day should be a highlight of the trip!

Train 1:

• Depart: Geneve at 08:10
• Arrive: Montreux at 09:10

Train2:

• Depart: Montreux at 09:34 by the Golden Pass Express
• Arrive: Interlaken Ost at 12:50

Reservations are required for the Golden Pass Express, they cost €20 regardless of whether you will be using 1st or 2nd class pass and they can be booked here.

The journey is fantastic!

The train will then reverse direction on departure from Spiez, on the left hand side there will be some fabulous views over Lake Thun - pictured at the top of the page

Train 3:
Depart: Interlaken Ost at 13:04
Arrive: Luzern at 14:55

Continue the journey along the full length of the 'Golden Pass route' by riding the 'Interlaken-Luzern Express'

For the best of the views sit on the right when boarding in Interlaken.

Train 4:

• Depart: Luzern at 15:18
• Arrive: Locarno at 18:39

Seat reservations are not available on this train.

There are views of Lake Zug on the left and then after departure from Arth-Goldau, the Lauerzersee, can be seen on the right.
Sit on the left of of this train for the best of the views; highlights include the views over Wassen village as the train spirals up to the old Gotthard Tunnel.

Another highlight of this journey comes when the train exits the The Gotthard Tunnel and descends down the mountain on another series of spirals; the train will travel over both sets of tracks pictured below.

Train 5:

• Depart: Locarno at 19:22
• Arrive: Milano Centrale at 21:17

Seat reservations are not available on this train.

If you do want to follow the routing suggested below, buy some food/drink before you set off from Milan.
Though an option is to push the itinerary back by two hours and depart from Milano Centrale at 10:20 OR spend a couple of hours in Chur between trains having a late lunch/dinner there.
If you take either of those options, you can follow the same routing, but you'll be departing from Chur at 17:08 - on a train heading to Zurich; and arriving in Innsbruck at 20:14.

Train 1:
Depart: Milano Centrale at 08:20
Arrive: Tiriano at 10:52

Train 2:
Depart: Tiriano at 11:00 (the train will be heading to St Moritz)
Arrive: Pontresina at 12:52

Train 3:
Depart: Pontresina at 13:02
Arrive: Samedan at 13:08
The connections at both Pontresina and Samdedan seem tightly timed, but it won't be a problem.
Making the transfer between trains at these stations usually involves simply crossing a platform/track from one train to another.

Train 4:
Depart: Samedan at 13:16
Arrive: Chur at 15:03

Train 5:
Depart: Chur at 15:08; the train will be heading to Basel
Arrive: Sargans at 15:27

Train 6:
Depart: Sargans at 15:36 - the Railjet train will be heading to Wien
Arrive: Innsbruck Hbf at 18:11

Seat reservations are available, but optional on this train.

Sit on the right of this train for the best of the views as the train travels through the beautiful Arlberg Pass.

All of the connections on this day are straightforward - and as you can see from the images and videos above it's worth the effort!

Depart: Innsbruck Hbf at 09:24 on Sat/Sun or 13:24 daily
Arrive: Venezia S.Lucia at 14:28 or 18:35

Reservation fees: 1st class = €15; 2nd class = €10
The best option for purchasing the reservations for this train is to book them at the Reisezentrum travel desk when you arrive in Innsbruck the previous evening.
Or book them at Milano Centrale station when booking the other reservations.

By this stage of the trip, train journey fatigue may be setting in, so if that is that case you can take a Frecce train direct from Venezia to Roma.
Though if you do opt for this, whether you have a 1st or 2nd class pass, you will need to pay a €13 reservation fee prior to boarding; more info is available here.

Train 1:
Depart: Venezia S.Lucia at 08:40
Arrive: Bologna Centrale at 10:50

Train 2:
Depart:*Bologna Centrale at 12:00 Intercity train**; Reservation fee = €3 for 1st and 2nd class; more info is available here.
Arrive: Ancona at 14:23

Sit on the left for the sea views, which come after Rimini.

Train 3:
Depart: Ancona at 15:55
Arrive: Roma Termini at 20:30 by Intercity train; Reservation fee = €3 for 1st and 2nd class; more info is available here.

If train journey fatigue has set it in, you can take a Frecce train direct from Roma to Milano.
Though if you do opt for this, whether you have a 1st or 2nd class pass, you will need to pay a €13 reservation fee prior to boarding - more info is available here.

Train 1:
Depart: Roma Termini at 09:57; the train should be heading to Torino Porta Nuova
Arrive: Genova Piazza Principe at 15:35

By Intercity train; the optional reservation fee = €3 1st and 2nd class; more info is available here.

The train will race through the Cinque Terre, but the best of the stunning views can be seen between Sestri Levant and Genova.
You’ll have to cross your fingers and hope your reserved seats are on the left hand side; as between La Spezia and Genova there are some of the best coastal views which can be seen from any European express train.

If they’re not then after departure from La Spezia, seek out somewhere from where you can see the sea views.

Train 2:
Depart: Genova Piazza Principe at 16:19
Arrive: Milano Centrale at 17:55 by Intercity train; reservation fee = €3 for 1st and 2nd class pass users.

These additional tips can help you:

1. Save money when booking overnight accommodation.
2. Know 'the rules'
3. Have more comfortable journeys
4. Avoid last minute panics at the station etc.

Our Other Info which should be of use to Rail Pass Users:

Our General guide for Eurail and InterRail Pass Users

Using stations in France

Using stations in Italy

Europe's Daytime Trains

Europe's International Rail Routes

24 Tips for European Rail Travel

Travelling With Children on European Trains