Looking for the best scenic train rides in southern Switzerland? The Centovalli Express Train is one of the best panoramic trains in this part of the country, and our detailed guide will tell you everything you need to know to plan your trip.
The route, train tickets, and what to expect from the ride are just some of the topics covered in the guide. I’ll also tell you about other railways and panoramic trains in the area, so whether you’re looking to do a quick day trip or you want to spend a week riding panoramic trains and exploring Switzerland, you’ll have plenty of options!
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Centovalli Express Route
The Centovalli train travels through beautiful scenery in southern Switzerland and northern Italy. The trains depart from Domodossola and Locarno, connecting the Italian and Swiss towns. It’s worth noting that the trains depart from underground stations which can be a little tricky to find, but there is plenty of signage that instructs you in which direction to go.
The name of the railway – Centovalli – translates to 100 valleys, which gives you an idea of just how scenic the routes are. Travel through mesmerizing landscapes, while narrow valleys, lakes, rocky gorges, and quaint towns change before your eyes.
The total travel time between Locarno and Domodossola is approximately two hours. Also, it’s worth noting that there are other scenic trains that run on this railway; the Vigezzo Vision travels through the Vigezzo Valley so it doesn’t follow the exact same route as the Centovalli Express, but it boasts some equally panoramic views.
How to Get Tickets
You can purchase tickets for the Centovalli railway online at this link. You can choose from one-way and return tickets, and you can opt (not) to pay for a seat reservation. Because this is a panoramic train and the entire point of the ride is to enjoy the beautiful views, I would highly recommend paying for a seat reservation next to one of the windows.
It is also possible to choose between 1st and 2nd class tickets. The main benefit of first class is that it has better and bigger windows, so it’s easier to get a really good view of the scenery outside. But if you purchase second-class tickets quickly enough, you can still enjoy a wonderful panoramic view.
Return tickets with a seat reservation are 33 Euros for second class and 43 Euros for first class. Without a seat reservation, the tickets are 25 Euros (2nd class) and 35 Euros (1st class) for this scenic trip.
Also, if you’re traveling from Locarno, make sure to get a seat on the left side of the train. But if you’re departing from Domodossola, get a seat on the right side of the train car, for the absolute best views.
It’s worth noting that you can also get tickets at the FART ticket counter in Locarno, the Domodossola ticket office, and the various ticket machines at the train stations.
If this is just one of several panorama trains you intend to ride while you’re in Switzerland, look into the Swiss Travel Pass. It gets you free tickets for many scenic trains, discounts on tourist attractions, and a bunch of other benefits, so it’s definitely a great way of saving some money while traveling through Switzerland.
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Centovalli Express Timetable
Centovalli trains run approximately every hour. You can check out a detailed timetable at this link – click on the International and Swiss regional trains to see the schedule of trains departing from Locarno, while the International and Italian regional trains will give you a timetable of the trains departing from Domodossola.
Keep in mind that this timetable includes all the trains that depart from these towns, so be sure to look at the times for the trains that travel all the way from the Swiss town of Locarno to the Italian town of Domodossola, and vice versa.
What to Expect
Expect gorgeous views throughout the entire train ride. The panoramic train passes through beautiful scenery, and you get to see many waterfalls, gorges, lakes, and valleys. It is truly a wonderful experience, and undoubtedly one of the best ways to experience Switzerland from the comfort of a train seat.
You can bring your own food and drink if you want, but there should be a trolley with a buffet service on board. Second-class passengers must pay for any food they wish to eat; I’m not entirely sure about first-class passengers, but I’ve seen nothing mentioned on their website, so it’s safe to assume that no snacks are included in the ticket prices. Meals on board a train in Switzerland are usually pretty expensive, so it’s best to bring snacks if you don’t want to spend a fortune.
Another great thing about this scenic train is that you can easily continue exploring Switzerland and ride other scenic trains from either Domodossola or Locarno. Brig is very close to Domodossola, and there you can board the iconic Glacier Express, which is widely regarded as one of the best scenic trains in Switzerland.
And from Locarno, you have a chance to board one of two other amazing panoramic Swiss trains if you just travel to Lugano – Gotthard Panorama Express or Bernina Express.
Lago Maggiore Express
The Lake Maggiore Express is a seasonal scenic train and boat ride. It’s a great way of exploring northern Italy and southern Switzerland, especially if you have plenty of time to travel and a two-hour train ride is just too short for you.
This express train runs from April to October, so it’s only possible to go on a ride during the warmer season. That’s mostly because of the three-hour boat trip on Lake Maggiore, which is not possible in the winter season. The boat trips take you across most of the lake, allowing you to see the Brissago Islands, the Borromean islands, and the historic castles of Cannero.
The trains for this journey normally depart from Stresa, where you ride a regular train to Domodossola. There you get on the Centovalli Express, which takes you all the way to Locarno. This is followed by the boat trip, and depending on what type of ticket you get, you can board a train again and get back to Italy.
Courtesy of Wikimedia for the image header.
