How to take the wonderful rail journey from central Germany to northern Italy

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Frankfurt to Milano / Milan / Mailand by train

This fascinating journey on the only direct train from central Germany to Italy includes rushing down a German high-speed line, a passage across Switzerland with views over five lakes and a travelling through the world's longest railway tunnel.

Routes you can take to go from Frankfurt (Main) / Francfort sur le Main to Milano / Milan / Mailand

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 Frankfurt (Main) / Francfort sur le Main Journey guides for travel from Milano / Milan / Mailand

Route Information

Station Guides

The main station buildings at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf

Frankfurt (Main) Hbf Rail Station Guide

The central roof span of Milano Centrale viewed from the departure concorse

Milano Centrale Rail Station Guide

Travel Time (approx)

7hr 58min

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

1 x train per day

Is this journey from Frankfurt (Main) to Milan direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.
Though there additional daily journey options which involve a connection at Basel SBB station.

Is the journey scenic?
Yes, between Zug and Chiasso it is a journey of notable highlights - see the Journey Information for images and videos, plus tips for making the most of the scenery

What other tourist locations are along the route from Frankfurt (Main) to Milan?
Basel and Zurich and Luagno and Comp.

How easy is it to travel on from the station in Milan?
Milano Centrale is served by two Metro lines, the M2 and the M3.
See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay by Milano Centrale.

How easy is it to get to the station in Frankfurt (Main)?
Basel SBB station is located to the south of the city centre, but is connected from it by tram lines / routes 8, 10 or 11.
See the Station Guide for more info, plus easy access to booking accommodation in its neighbourhood.

Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for this Frankfurt (Main) to Milan train?
Yes

How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for this Frankfurt (Main) to Milan train?
Typically up to 4months ahead of the travel date; though this period of time can be shorter, particularly when searching for journeys more than three months ahead during October and March.

What are the child ticket terms for this Frankfurt (Main) to Milan train?
Children aged 15 and under travel at a discounted rate.
The price is equivalent to free travel within Germany and a 20% discount for the remainder of the journey - those aged 5 and under aren't charged for a ticket.

Does the ticket for this Frankfurt (Main) to Milan train include assigned seats?
Yes - See the Train Guide in the Journey Information for insights on how to board the train

Do rail pass users need to book reservations for this Frankfurt (Main) to Milan train?
Yes - See the rail pass reservation guide for info on the multiple booking options.

Is catering available on this Frankfurt (Main) to Milan train?
Yes, there is a bar/bistro car and a restaurant.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information.

What else is good to know about German rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Germany.

What else is good to know about Italian rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Italy

Travel Information

This daily train is typically scheduled to depart at around 08:05 and arrive into Milano before 16:00 - in time for easy connections on to most other locations in Italy - including Roma, Torino, Venezia, Firenze, Bologna, Genova, Napoli the Italian Riviera and Trieste

Final Destination: Milano Cle

Within an hour of arrival high-speed Frecce trains will be departing for Bologna, Firenze, Napoli, Roma, Verona and Venezia.

This train also calls at: Lugano and Chiasso and Como and Monza

This is a direct journey

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

Giruno Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - YesLandscape (Hills / Mountains)Lake viewsHigh Speed (partial journey)

Good to Know

This train has been re-routed, on its southward journey it used to travel via Luzern, but it now travels via Zurich.

In Germany it is classed as an ECE service

Journey description:

This is a fascinating journey with multiple highlights to look out for:

On route to Switzerland comes the fastest part of the trip when the train travels at up to 250 km/h on the high speed line between Karlsruhe and Offenburg.
The train will reverse direction on departure from Basel SBB station
**The train will also reverse direction on departure from Zurich HB station
From the LEFT of the train (when facing the direction of travel) the first highlight to look out for is the view over Lake Zurich, as the train ascends up from the shore.
Then, if the weather is behaving itself, after departure from Zug station comes what is now the highlight of the journey, the view over the Zuger See.
This lake with its mountain peaks on the far shore can be seen on the right for more than 15 mins between Zug and Arth-Goldau station.

...and then further south, also on the right there are glimpses of Lake Luzern.
6. The train will then travel through the world's longest railway tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, and after Bellinzona it dives into the new Ceneri Base Tunnel.
7. South of Lugano station the best views switch back to the left as the railway runs by the Lago di Lugano.
8,The final wow moment comes after departure from Lugano station when the train will cross the lake.

After the trains have crossed the lake, the best of the views switch to the right.

The Italian section of the journey south of Chiasso is more mundane, despite the trains passing through Como, its namesake lake can't be seen from these trains.

The view over the Lauerzersee

Approaching Bellinzona

Approaching Lugano station

Looking over the lake after departing Lugano

Looking down over Lake Zurich to the south of the city

The train will reach Lake Zug shortly after 18:30

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