How to take the fascinating rail journey from north-west Switzerland to Lake Maggiore

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Basel / Bâle to Stresa by train

Routes you can take to go from Basel / Bâle to Stresa (Lake Maggiore)

When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.

Choose one of the following options:

Looking for connections?

Journey guides for travel to Basel / Bâle

Route Information

Station Guides

The view towards Basel SBB from the tram stops in front of the station

Basel SBB/Bâle CFF Rail Station Guide

Image coming soon...

Stresa Guide Coming soon...

Travel Time (approx)

3hr 8min

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

Monday to Friday: 3 x trains per day
Sat / Sun; 4 x trains per day

Travel Information

Final Destination: Milano

All trains also call at: Domodossola (connect for Centovali trains)

Connect at Stresa station for trains on to Arona

These trains typically be depart at 06:28; 10:28; 12:28 and 17:28.
However, on the new timetable, the usual departure at 10:28 has had to be removed on the new timetable, due to a long-term construction project on the Italian section on the route, which has temporarily limited the capacity.

This is a direct journey

You will be travelling on one of these trains...

Two train units can be joined together on some departures to form an exceptionally long train

EC Astoro Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - YesLake viewsLandscape (Hills / Mountains)

Good to Know

The railway between Arona and Stresa is closed completely from June 9th to September 8th, so during these dates the EC express train services will be turning around in Domodossola and won't be serving Milano.

Looking over Lake Thun between Thun and Spiez

Departing from Spiez in better weather

Approching the Lotschberg Base Tunnel

Heading south away from The Simplon Tunnel

Arriving in Domodossola

Looking left over Lake Maggiore before arriving in Stresa

If your reserved seat is on the left of the train (when facing the direction of travel) there are some fabulous views over the beautiful Thunersee

On departure from Thun station:

And then on departure from Speiz station:

Though not only was that video captured on a different, more 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 south!

After departing from Brig these trains travel through The Simplon Tunnel which was the world's longest regularly used railway tunnel for much of the 20th century.
When the trains exit the tunnel, they travel through an impressive gorge in the mountains before descending to Domodossola.

Then for much of the journey between there and Arona the railway line is beside Lake Maggiore; and again the views of the lake are on the left.

As can be seen the view over the lake can be worth seeing even on a grey day.

The beautiful islands in the video are just to the north of Stresa station.

The train will reverse direction on departure from Bern so when boarding Basel hope that your assigned seats are on the right hand side.

The general guide to Italian rail travel Discover what's good to know about riding the trains, using the major stations, booking tickets and travelling with Eurail and InterRail passes.

The general guide to Swiss rail travel Discover what's good to know about riding the trains, taking popular journeys, using the major stations, booking tickets and travelling with rail passes.

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This is one of more than 100 train travel guides available on ShowMeTheJourney, which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.

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