A long planned expanded service of trains between Milan and Zurich makes the most of the brand new trains that have been introduced to the route - and the relatively new Ceneri Base Tunnel.
Though this remains a journey which showcases the best of European rail travel.
The smart new trains have restaurant cars, plus the engineering achievements to enable the journey time are phenomenal. So despite the epic, recently opened rail tunnels, most of the journey is still fantastically beautiful!
Another recent innovation was the very welcome extension to the routes taken by some departures, so that Zurich now has daily direct trains to Genova/Genoa and Bologna; though these two services don't call at Milan's primary rail station, Milano Centrale.
Though the Gotthard Base Tunnel does take the trains away from the most scenic section of the older Gotthard Route - and making the most of those scenic highlights is still easily done, with only one connection between trains required.
However, for those who have time on their side, it's also possible to ride what is arguably Europe's most scenic rail route between two cities!
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.
3hr 17min
Daily
8 x trains per day to Milano Centrale
Is this journey from Zurich to Milan direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.
Is the journey scenic?
The Swiss part of the journey has a wow factor, see the Journey Information for images and videos and insights on how to make the most of the views.
What other tourist locations are along the route from Zurich to Milan?
Lugano and Como
When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Milano Centrale from Zurich on this journey option?
Before 11:00 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable
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.
When is the usual approximate latest departure from Zurich to Milano Centrale on this journey option
Before 18:30 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable
How easy is it to get to the station in Zurich?
Zurich HB is at the northern edge of the heart of the city, the old town area is within a 10min walk and more than a dozen routes / lines use the two sets of tram stops.
See the Station Guide for more info, plus easy access to booking accommodation in its neighbourhood.
Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for these Zurich to Milan trains?
Yes
How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for these Zurich to Milan trains?
Typically up to 4 months 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 these Zurich to Milan trains?
Children aged 6 -15 receive a 20% discount, those aged 5 and under aren't charged for a ticket.
Note that these terms are different to the national child ticket policies in Italy and Switzerland.
Does the ticket for these Zurich to Milan trains 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 these Zurich to Milan trains?
Yes - See the rail pass reservation guide for info on the multiple booking options.
Is catering available on the Zurich to Milan trains?
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 Swiss rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Switzerland.
What else is good to know about Italian rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Italy
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for: Comparing different train services; Booking international journeys with connections; Travelling between the UK to destinations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris - and for international travellers who don't reside in western Europe.
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Omio is an online ticket agency which offers tickets for rail journeys in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.
The three key advantages of using Omio are
The disadvantage of booking with Omio is that it often adds a booking fee to the final price; therefore when it does so without offering a price advantage, SMTJ doesn't tend to offer Omio as a booking option.
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Rail Europe ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option when booking international journeys with connections and for travellers who don't reside in western Europe. Use the easy options on its home page if you will be booking tickets with a railcard: Or purchasing rail pass reservations.
Trenitlalia is the national rail operator in Italy and in addition to its cheaper types of ticket; it also typically offers other discounts available to non-Italians, which include:
Italiarail lives up to its name by selling tickets for rail journeys within Italy and the core feature of its service is that it is primarily designed to be used by international visitors to Italy.
So the English translations of place names are used when looking up journeys and the terms and conditions for using each type of ticket are clearly explained.
It also clearly points out the additional costs of upgrading to other classes and types of tickets while spelling out the additional benefits of doing so.
Though Italiarail will charge a booking fee, typically of around €3.
The Early Bird service
Italiarail has launched an 'early bird' pre-booking service for journeys by Frecce trains.
Tickets can be booked up to a year ahead of travel at a flat-rate price per route, before the tickets have been released for sale by Trenitalia.
If when they are placed on sale, the price is cheaper than what you have already paid to Italiarail, it will automatically refund the price difference.
Conversely, if the price is more expensive, you won't be charged the price difference.
You can also have the peace of mind of securing your seat(s) on the Frecce train(s) when you are first planning a trip.
If before the tickets are placed on sale, you decide to change your plans, you can request a refund; but once the tickets are released for sale, you will then be bound by the terms and conditions of the ticket(s) you have booked.
Final Destination: Milano Cle. or Venezia S.L
These trains also call: Como San Giovanni station and Lugano
The different trains used on this route:
Note that three types of train are used on this route, the new Giruno trains are gradually replacing the ETR 600 trains, while on some departures, particularly at weekends, the Astoro trains are used.
On some departures an Astoro and an ETR 600 train are joined together.
On some departures, when two trains are joined together regardless of the type of train, the train closest to the concourse will be terminating at Chiasso or Lugano, with only the front train continuing on to Milano.
These trains may be faster than ever, but now that they use The Gotthard Base Tunnel and the brand new Ceneri Base Tunnel, this journey is also less scenic than it used to be.
The Gotthard Base Tunnel is now the world's longest railway tunnel, so long that it takes trains more than 15 mins to travel through it.
An announcement is made on the train just before it enters the tunnel.
However, this is still one of Europe's most epic express train journeys and thanks to those tunnels the journey time is now more than an hour faster than it was previously.
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.
The next beautiful vista to look out for comes after departure from Arth-Goldau station, when on the right, the train will pass by the Lauerzersee.
The train then travels through a dramatic landscape to the north of Schwyz, which used to be a preview of what was to come when the trains still used the older Gotthard route.
Just to the south of here, also look out on the right for glimpses of the Luzernsee.
Now that the trains on this route use the Ceneri Base Tunnel the next scenic highlights on the journey
come shortly after departure from Lugano, where there are views over the lake, initially over on the LEFT.
The final wow moments come after departure from Lugano station, the train will travel along the shore of the Lago di Lugano
and then 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.
On the Trenitalia website, you will need to enter Zuerich Hb as the departure station.
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: Up to 180 days / 6 months ahead of the travel date - though booking periods will be shorter when travelling after the second Sunday in December.
Three types of ticket will typically be made available, Standard, Saver Flex and Saver - all types of ticket are only valid on the specific departure selected when booking.
The very cheapest type of ticket, Saver tickets, are taken off sale 7 days prior to departure.
The mid-price type of ticket, Saver Flex, are taken off sale 3 days prior to departure.
Exchanges
Additional information is available on the SBB website.
Refunds
Seat reservations
Reservations are mandatory on the Italian section of the journey, so seats are assigned when booking all types of tickets.
Rail pass users
If you will be travelling with valid Eurail or InterRail passes, you will need to pay a rail pass reservation fee when boarding these direct trains for a journey to Italy.
Though avoid paying for these reservation fees at a station in Switzerland, because if you do so you, will also have to pay a 11CHF booking fee.
The fees can be avoided when taking journey options 2 and 3!
Child tickets
Children aged 6 -15 receive a 20% discount, those aged 5 and under aren't charged for a ticket.
Note that these terms are different to the national child ticket policies in Italy and Switzerland.
And the terms are also different for Swiss children travelling with a Junior Travelcard.
Bike tickets
When travelling with a non-folding bike, spaces must be reserved, but you need to make a simultaneous purchase of your travel ticket + the bike reservation on the Trenitalia website.
Dog tickets
Dog tickets seemingly aren't available for this end-to-end international journey, a dog pass will need to be purchased for the Swiss part of the trip and a dog ticket is required for the Italian section of the journey, see the dogs on trains guide.
5hr 12min
Daily
up to 6 x optimum connections per day
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for: Comparing different train services; Booking international journeys with connections; Travelling between the UK to destinations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris - and for international travellers who don't reside in western Europe.
SBB is the main national rail operator in Switzerland, but tickets for journeys by the other significant operators including BLS and SOB can be be booked on the SBB website.
SBB also sells tickets for journeys to many destinations which involve a combination of SBB trains and services provided by the many independent operators who serve the Alpine resort towns.
However, if you will be making a long-distance return day trip, look out for he possibility of SaverDay passes being cheaper than tickets.
Though if you download the SBB app, booking tickets on SBB's mobile services can be simper than using the website.
Also watch out for the fact that booking international tickets can be comparatively quirky.
The faster EC trains use the epic Gotthard Base Tunnel which takes them away from was the most scenic part of the older route, that the EC trains used* to take.
*= They've had to revert back to it while repair work is being carried out on the tunnel.
But there are Swiss regional trains to the junction station at Cadenazzo which still use the full length of the older route - including the section from Zug to Bellinzona via Goschenen; no.5 on SMTJ's list of Switzerland's most beautiful rail journeys.
The connecting time between trains in Cadenazzo is typically around 27mins - and the trains from Zurich to Cadenazzo usually depart in even hours.
Also because seat reservations aren't available on the trains on this route, users of Eurail and InterRail passes can avoid paying the comparatively expensive reservation fees, that are payable when using rail passes to make the direct international journey on the EC trains (option 1).
A faster option for rail pass users
Users of Eurail and InterRail passes can arrive in Milanoaround 90 minutes faster by taking Swiss IC trains or the EC trains from Switzerland to Lugano - which take the route through the Gotthard Base Tunnel.
Those regional trains to Milano, which call in Cadenazzo, also call in Lugano.
Final Destination Locarno
The train will spend most of the first 10 mins of its journey travelling in a tunnel, but soon after it emerges into the daylight, the train will ascend upwards from the sure of Lake Zurich.
So from the left of the train (when facing the direction of travel) there are sweeping vistas to be enjoyed down over the lake.
Then, if the weather is behaving itself, after departure from Zug station comes the first 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.
The next beautiful vista to look out for comes after departure from Arth-Goldau station, when on the right, the train will pass by the Lauerzersee.
The train then travels through a dramatic landscape to the north of Schwyz.
Just to the south of here, also look out on the right for glimpses of the Luzernsee.
Between Erstfeld and Goschenen the best of the views are on the left; this video was filmed from a train heading north
but it doesn't matter which side of the train you are seated on, in order to enjoy the incredible views over the village of Wassen with its white church on a hilltop.
That's because the railway loops in order to climb the mountain, and as it does so, the village can be seen from both sides of the train.
After departure from Goschenen the train enters the older Gotthard Tunnel, and between that tunnel and Bellinzona there are fabulous views from both sides of the train.
The railway will loop around in order to descend the mountains to the south of Airolo station, but this is a prelude to the final highlight of the trip, which occurs as the train descends the mountain on another set of looping curves between Faido and Biasca.
The views looking down the valley with the railway tracks below are breathtaking!
Though as the video below shows, filmed from a train travelling in the opposite direction, the train travels through a spectacular valley north of Bellinzona.
These trains are operated by the public transport authority in Ticino, which is the region of Switzerland in which Cadenazzo is located - hence the branding which can typically be seen on the trains on this route.
After departure from Lugano station, the train will travel along the shore of the Lago di Lugano
and then 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.
Separate bookings are required for each of the two journeys.
9hrs approx
Daily
up to 7 x connections per day
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for: Comparing different train services; Booking international journeys with connections; Travelling between the UK to destinations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris - and for international travellers who don't reside in western Europe.
SBB is the main national rail operator in Switzerland, but tickets for journeys by the other significant operators including BLS and SOB can be be booked on the SBB website.
SBB also sells tickets for journeys to many destinations which involve a combination of SBB trains and services provided by the many independent operators who serve the Alpine resort towns.
However, if you will be making a long-distance return day trip, look out for he possibility of SaverDay passes being cheaper than tickets.
Though if you download the SBB app, booking tickets on SBB's mobile services can be simper than using the website.
Also watch out for the fact that booking international tickets can be comparatively quirky.
This journey is one that is most often queried by users of ShowMeTheJourney's trip planning service.
So what these clients are told will be shared here, which is, *Don't be put off by the need to make four connections, none of them are complicated and you efforts will be rewarded by the greatest day of rail travel, which can be experienced in Europe!"
The timetable is usually arranged so that on the Swiss part of the journey, all that's required at each station is to step off one train to board the next, which will be leaving from the opposite side of the platform / track.
In Tirano, the train on to Milano will leave from a station which is merely steps away from that used by the trains which head there from Switzerland
If you will be spending time in Zurich while using a Eurail or InterRail pass, you can ride this entire route to Zurich without incurring additional charges - and can hop on a fast train back to Zurich for the ultimate day trip by train!
Taking the Bernina Express
There is also the option to ride the most scenic part of the route on the Bernina Express, which also avoids having to make the connections in Samedan and Pontresina.
The train which typically departs Zurich at 12:07 connects in Chur to the year round afternoon Bernina Express, which departs at 13:34 and arrives in Tirano at 17:59 - in time to connect into a train on to Milano that is typically scheduled to arrive in Centrale station at 20:40.
From the left of the train (when facing the direction) of travel, there are fabulous views over Lake Zurich...
and then over the Walensee...
...before the train makes its first station call in Sargans
Then between Sargans and Chur there are very pleasant views of distant mountain ranges from both sides of the train.
Step on board for a journey on the incredible Albula Railway!
Sit on the right (when facing the direction of travel) when joining the train at Chur and face forwards for the best views of the Landwasser Viaduct and tunnel.
The videos were taken from a train travelling in the opposite direction.
Overall the best of the views are from the right of the train when heading south...
..but you'll still experience an incredible journey if your seats are on the left hand side.
This train in effect by-passes St Moritz, because the resort town isn't on the direct route
This part of the route takes less than 10 minutes.
What makes it special:
This train ride on the Bernina Route of the Rhateian (RhB) Railway is a journey of six distinct phases
1: St Moritz <> Bernina Suot via Pontresina
2: Bernina Suot <> Alp Grum
3: Alp Grum <> Cavaglia
4: Cavaglia <> Poschiavo
5: Poschiavo <> Miralago
6: Miralogo <> Tirano
What makes this train ride so special is that each of those parts of the journey have distinct highlights; note how it's the only route on this list with a 'yes' against all the four criteria!
The videos were captured when travelling in the opposite direction from Tirano to St Moritz.
As you head south from St Moritz and Pontresina, the best of the journey will be ahead of you
The train ride as far as Bernina Suot station is delightful, but it doesn’t have the wow factor of the second phase of this part of the journey between there and on to Alp-Grum station.
Between those two stations the trains travel through the stunning Bernina Pass, which due to its elevation and lack of vegetation, has an other-worldly quality in the height of summer....
.... but a snow covered landscape is pretty-much guaranteed between November and April.
As the train traverses the Bernina Pass, it passes by some small lakes, these can be seen on the right when heading south, so are on the left when travelling north from Tirano; the snowy scenes were captured by SMTJ on the second weekend in May.
The third phase of the journey comes when the train exits the pass just to the north of Alp-Grum station the on-board commentary available on all of the trains which follow this route, will point out the view of the glacier on the other side of Lago Palu.
The fourth phase of a southbound journey commences at Cavaglia station, between there and Poschiavo station the railway loops like a snake on the mountain side; and on this part of the route, at the top of this summit, there are second-to-none views from a train to revel in.
Because the railway loops across the mountain side, so that the trains can descend and ascend between Cavaglia and Poschiavo, there are incredible views back down the valley, from both sides of the train.
The highlight of the fifth phase of the journey between Poschiavo and Miralago station, are the beautiful views of the lake, the Lago di Poschiavo, along with the river to the south Poschiavo station, they are both on the left when heading south towards Tirano; so are on the right when heading north.
Between Miralago and Tirano the railway follows a valley and here the best of the views switch to the right when travelling south.
At the foot of this valley, just to the north of Tirano is the uniquely fabulous Brusio Spiral Viaduct.
Good to know:
This video was taken from a train travelling from Tirano to St Moritz and it showcases the weather extremes, which can be experienced on this trip.
The section of the route through the Bernina Pass had experienced a heavy snow fall on the previous day, but just a five minute train ride away to the south of the pass, there was no snow to be seen at all; so quite the wow moment, but sadly not guaranteed on every journey!
Sit on the right of the train (when facing the direction of travel) for views over Lake Como, all of the images were taken from the right of the train.
Though the journey between Tirano and Lake Como is rather charming.
The railway line travels by the shore of the lake for more than 30 minutes between Colico and Lecco.
Aside from the first section of the journey from Zurich to Chur , this isn't a route on which you can save by booking in advance, but booking ahead saves having to book tickets against the clock, when making the tightly timed connections between trains in Chur,
Though separate bookings are required for the journey from Zurich to Tirano and the journey from Tirano to Milano Centrale.
Booking the Bernina Express
On the Bernina Express website, click the hard to miss 'Book now' button, be aware that a ticket + a reservation are required to travel in the Panoramic cars/coaches and these can be booked separately.
Or if you have a valid rail pass, including Eurail, InterRail and Swiss Travel Passes, you will only need a reservation
Booking more than two months ahead
Note that when:
1: This is the price of the reservation.
2: Note that you are made aware that you will need to book tickets at a later date, they're available from two months ahead.
3: You can specify the number of travellers, the maximum per booking is nine.
4: It can be worth checking the specific seat availability on each departure.
5: These green buttons indicate the seat availability in the class you wish to travel by; one button = few seats left; 4 = very high availability.
If you will be using a valid rail pass...
... you can use the reductions options to select it, so that your pass will be on the reservation - you will need to travel with your pass and the reservation.
To book the tickets, return to the website
and book an 'Ordinary ticket'
Have your reservation to hand, as most of the options available will be for trains other than the Bernina Express departures and you need to book a ticket for the same train that you have reserved.
They're called Ordinary tickets, because these are what you can book if you don't want to travel in the panoramic cars/coaches; the additional cost to ride in the panoramic coaches is the reservation fee, which you will have already booked.
Booking up two months ahead
Note that...
... because the tickets are already on sale, that the cost of the reservation has already been included.
The total cost at top right is for the ticket + reservation.
However, if you will be using a valid rail pass you can click on the reductions to select your rail pass, as above.
You will then see:
1: The pass you will be using.
2: The ticket cost will be 0.
3: The price will have dropped to that which is charged solely for the seat reservation in the Panoramic coaches.
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