By Train from Milano / Milan (Italy) to Frankfurt (Main) (Germany)

Note that the return direct train FROM Frankfurt (Main) TO Milano takes a different route in Italy and Switzerland travelling via Lugano and Como

Final Destination:  Frankfurt (Main)

The train also calls at: Freiburg, Karlsruhe and Mannheim

Type of Scenery: Lake, Mountain

Star Rating: ***

Step on board the only direct daytime train service from Italy to Germany.

If you're a fan of engineering achievements then this is an awe-inspiring journey.

After Domodossola  the train travels through The Simplon Tunnel and after Visp it twill travel through The Lötschberg Base Tunnel - both of which were previous holders of world's longest railway tunnel honours.

After Domodossola  the train travels through The Simplon Tunnel and after Visp it twill travel through The Lötschberg Base Tunnel - both of which were previous holders of world's longest railway tunnel honours.

If your reserved seat is on the right of the train (when facing the direction of travel) the first highlight from a scenic point of view, is the fabulous vista over Lake Maggiore.

They can be seen north of Arona, but what's worth looking out for is when the train departs from Stresa.

This video was taken when travelling in the opposite direction...

...and shows the beautiful islands in the lake - and it also showcases why ShowMeTheJourney has tried and failed to photograph these islands, they can only be glimpsed through the trees.

The part of the journey between Domodossola and The Simplon Tunnel is also fabulous, as the train will thread through a valley as it approaches the tunnel.

The other scenic highlight is the part of the journey between exiting the Lotschberg Base Tunnel and arriving in Thun station.

The beautiful Thunersee comes into view on the right as the train arrives in Spiez.

Between Speiz and Thun the train travels by the shore of Lake Thun.

Though not only was that video captured on a different, less sunny, day - it was taken when travelling in the opposite direction.

It's been included here to showcase, what you will see from the right on this part of the journey - when heading north!

These trains also use the higher speed line in Germany between Offenburg and Karlsruhe.

The train will reverse direction on departure from Bern AND Basel SBB stations.