Travelling from Milano / Milan (Italy) to Erstfeld (Switzerland)

Final Destination:  Erstfeld

These trains also call at:  Biasca; Faido; Arilo and Göschenen (connect for the MGB at Göschenen)

Type of Scenery: Mountain, Lakes

Star Rating: *****

These trains depart daily from Milano Centrale at 08:10, 16:10 and 17:10.

On the departure screens at Milano Centrale, Biasca may be displayed as the final destination, but these trains are heading to Erstfeld.

Look for the trains that are branded 'Ticino'

Take the 08:10 train year round (or the 16:10 departure in summer) and you'll be able to experience one of Europe's greatest train journeys by daylight.

The views are fabulous from either side of the train, but sitting on the left has the edge, once the train has passed Bellinzona

The faster, alternative EC trains between Italy and Switzerland via Lugano have been diverted into the recently opened Gotthard Base Tunnel, but these trains to Erstfeld still take the much more scenic older route up through the Gotthard Pass.

At Erstfeld simple connections are available to trains on to Basel and Zurich (you may have to change again at Arth-Goldau to reach either of these destinations).

Rail Pass Users:

If you're heading to northern Switzerland, these trains are a cheaper and more scenic option than the direct EC trains.

The onward connections at Erstfeld are straightforward and if you travel by daylight you'll experience one of the highlights of your itinerary.

Though if you have a rail pass and want to get to Basel or Zurich faster, take these trains and make a connection in Bellinzona to the Swiss IC trains.

Though by doing do you'll miss out on the most fabulous section of the journey.