Best train route from Wengen to Milan, maybe by Bernina Express?
A traveler named Patrick and his wife are planning a short trip to Wengen from Milan, aiming to experience beautiful train journeys through Switzerland. They seek advice on the best and most scenic train routes for their one-night stay, particularly hoping to include the Bernina Express if possible.
- Consider taking the Interlaken-Spiez-Domodossola-Milan route for a quicker option that takes about 6 hours.
- If you want to ride the Bernina Express, consider breaking your journey into two parts with an overnight stay in Chur for a more scenic experience.
- Investing in Swiss Travel Passes is beneficial if you plan to travel in Switzerland for several days, as they can save you money on train tickets.
- For regional trains, you generally do not need to reserve seats, so you can be flexible with your travels.
- Make sure to check train schedules in advance, as some may not be available until closer to your travel date.
AI-generated summary-
Hello. My wife and I are visiting Italy and Switzerland. Really, it was originally going to be just Italy but we decided we wanted to venture into beautiful Switzerland as well. We are staying in Wengen and we are trying to pick the most scenic route back to Milan via train. I would like advice on the best route to take for day trip back to Milan. Note: If feasible, we would like to somehow travel on the Bernina Express during this leg of our trip. We love train travel and don’t mind a long day. Can someone help with a detailed plan? Thank you very much.
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Hi Hopper,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
Based on your information, I can offer 2 options if you are planning to take the train from Wengen to Milan. The most practical (and fastest) is via the Interlaken.-Spiez-Domodossola-Milan route. This will take about 6 hours and definitely can be done in 1 day.
The alternative, slower but scenic option via Bernina Express (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/bernina-express/) will take longer (more than 10 hours). I would recommend splitting it into 2 legs. The first leg would be to travel from Wengen to Chur about 4 hours). Spend one night in Chur. In the morning, board the Bernina Express to Tirano (4 hours). From Tirano you can continue on the regional train to Milan. The last leg is also considered a scenic route via Lake Como and takes about 2.5 hours.
You can further information about travel and tickets to Italy here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-guide/italy-switzerland/
Hope this helps.
Anna
Hello Hopper
I would support both of Anna’s (alternative) suggestions.
I would particularly emphasize that, while going from Wengen to Milan via the Bernina route is possible in one day, you would find the journey exhausting. If you decide on the Bernina route, adopt Anna’s plan of staying a night Chur.
A scenic route comfortably doable in one day.
This will cost more money than Anna’s option one, but it will give you a lot more scenery!
Catch the 08 12 train down to Lauterbrunnen, changing there for Interlaken Ost (arrive 08 54).
Catch the 09 04 ‘Luzern Interlaken Express’. This train takes the scenic Brunig line. Sit on the right hand side of the train, and do not change your seat when the train changes direction at Meringen. You arrive in Luzern (called Lucerne in English and French) at 10 55
From Luzern catch the 11 18 IR26 Treno Gottardo bound for Locarno. Stay on this train all the way to Locarno (arrive 14 27). This train takes the spectacular OLD (opened 1882) Gotthard line via Airolo.
Have a break in Locarno. Catch the 15 22 or 16 22 TILO train to Milano Centrale via Lugano and Chiasso. The journey to Milan takes one hour and 55 minutes.
?Invest in Swiss Travel Passes?
Your thread raises two questions in my mind.
How are you getting TO Wengen?
How long are you staying IN Wengen?
If you are in Switzerland for three or more days, you might want to consider investing in Swiss Travel Passes: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/
If you invested in STPs then note that on Anna’s option one you would need separate tickets for the Domodossola to Milan section of your journey.
On Anna’s option two, you would need separate tickets Tirano to Milan.
On my suggestion (for convenience call it ‘option three’) you will need separate tickets Chiasso to Milan.
Kind regards
Roger
Anna,
Thank you so much for your information. Our main goal was to make a quick trip up to Wengen via train and to return to Milan the next day. Just by traveling on a train we know it provides us with breathtaking views wherever we go. As we are mainly focussed on Italy for this trip we have to stick to the quick visit timeline while in Wengen. Thanks for providing the two options for our consideration. Much appreciated!
Roger,
Thankyou for replying. I really appreciate your information. As we have our plans in Italy finalized, we only have an overnight visit to Wengen possible. As I understand, the lack of frequent Bernina Express train schedules from Chur to Tirano are limited, it’s unlikely that we woud be able to ride the Express but rather use the normal trains that run on the same track hourly towards Terano. Anyway, I liked that you added a third option. I’m going to take some time to study it and it may be our best soluition.
Thanks again for your valuable insight.
Roger,
For the second thread of your reply, i am waiting next month for the live train schedules out of Milan for Wengen. We wanted to depart Milan around 9-9:30 out of Milan via train.
We wanted to take the risk of the one night stay in Wengen and realize that the weather could ensure we see only clouds. But, whatever the weather, we knew the train travel to/from would be worth the trip and mitigate any weather disappointment in Wengen. Anyway, since our total trip is an overnight event, I’m figuring the Saver pass would be the only viable discount. I was going to use Trainline (or similar) website to book the tickets in advance. thanks.
Hi again,
You can information on how to purchase the Saver Day Pass here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/saver-day-pass/
Anna
Hello again
I am waiting next month for the live train schedules out of Milan for Wengen.
Times of trains in March from Milan to Wengen are already available on the Swiss electronic timetable http://www.sbb.ch
We wanted to depart Milan around 9-9:30 out of Milan via train.
As for your departure time ‘9-9 30’: for a decent day in Wengen you need to leave around 07 00 or 08 00.
In March planned engineering work on the Simplon line may be a problem.
Decide now on what day you want to go from Milan to Wengen. Look now on http://www.sbb.ch for the times on that day. (On many days in March the quickest route is to get the 07 10 Eurocity bound for Basel. Changing at Spiez, Interlaken Ost and Lauterbrunnen, you reach Wengen 11 11!)
If your journey involves using a Eurocity (EC) train reserve your seat now. These trains often get fully booked.
If you are going to buy Saver Day Passes buy now. SDPs usually get more expensive the closer you get to the date you want. And they can sell out.
Secure your accommodation in Wengen as soon as possible. March is still the skiing season, so that may be difficult (and expensive).
Alternative one day excursions form Milan to Switzerland (No overnight stay)
There are numerous possibilities. Here are two suggestions.
Take the hourly ‘TILO’ regional train from Milan to Locarno via Lugano. Takes one hour and 55 minutes.
(A much more ambitious trip) Take the hourly regional train to Tirano. Walk across to the Swiss station and take a regional train as far as Bernina HOSPIZIO. Spend about 15 minutes (or about 75 minutes) at this remarkable location, and then return the way you came. Wrap up well if you intend to spend 75 minutes at Hospizio
Kind regards
Roger
Roger,
I’m so sorry. I failed to identify, in my opening question, when we were planning our trip. The reason I commented on the train schedules not being available for my travel was because we’re not arriving in the area until September 1st. Train schedules, at least some, are not opened until March for travel in September. I apologize for the misunderstanding. I clearly understand now that we will need to start early on a train trip from Milan to Wengen. We know it’s not a short, quick trip. Also, in your last reply (and I really appreciate your experience) I have learned there may be some additional ways of getting in and out of Wengen to complete our short round trip. Today, I’m going to use your information and see on a map what the travel looks like for our return to Milan. Thanks for replying as your information is very useful.Best regards,
Patrick
Roger,
Hello. I’m working to finalize my train travel to/from Wengen. I’m taking your option on the travel back from Wengen as it looks superb. We can definitely take that route and it sounds beautiful. You had asked how we were going to travel to Wengen. Here’s an itinerary that I put together. If I picked the slowest route let me know what would be better. For clarity, as I had mentioned, this entire overnight trip to Wengen was an afterthought. We didn’t’ want to leave Milan without seeing some of the Alps/Swiss countryside. I picked Wengen knowing the risk that we might spend an evening on a cloudy day. It’s a risk worth taking. :)Here’s my itinerary:
Trip from Milan Centrale to Wengen8:10 am Depart Trenitalia Euro City EC40 towards Geneve
Arrive Brig at 10:14am
Depart Brig at 10:45 on trainline IC8 towards Romanshorn.
Arrive in Spiez at !!:21am
Depart Spiez at 11:35am on Trainline IC61 towards Interlaken Ost
Arrive Interlaken Ost at 11:59am
Depart Interlaken Ost at 12:04pm on Trainline R62 towards Lauterbrunnen
Arrive Lauterbrunnen at 12:26pm
Take cogwheel train up to Wengen
I appreciate any changes you recommend and thanks for reading.
Is the Saver Pass viable for this overnight journey?
Thanks again,
Patrick
Hello again Hopper
It would help if you told us the DAYS of your proposed trip TO Wengen. It appears that trains on the Simplon line via Domodossola and Brig will still be affected by engineering work in September. (From which website did you get the times you quote in your reply 9? Which DAY did you key in as your day of travel?)
Saver Day Passes (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/saver-day-pass/)
These are valid for one day only. So for your ‘excursion’ to Wengen you will need two consecutive Saver Day Passes.
.
IF you make your outward journey on the Simplon route (as proposed in your reply nine), the Swiss SDP is only valid from Domodossola. You will need a separate ticket Milan to Domodossola.If you make your return journey following my reply two itinerary, then the Swiss SDP will take you to Chiasso. You will need a separate ticket for the 51 kms (31 miles) Chiasso to Milan.
I look forward to hearing from you regarding the questions i ask at the beginning of this reply.
Roger
Roger,
Thanks for the info. The itinerary to Wengen was made prior to September train schedules being available. I’ve yet to confirm whether or not the September schedules have been released.
Hello again
Quickest Route from Milan to Wengen
In normal circumstances the quickest and shortest route from Milan to Wengen is the one set out in your reply nine.
You take a Eurocity along the SIMPLON line (called in Italian Ligna di Sempione) via Domodossola to Brig. From there an IC or Eurocity train through the Lőtchsberg Base Tunnel to Spiez. Then local Swiss trains to Interlaken OST, Lauterbrunnen and finally up to Wengen.
If you were travelling THIS WEEK (first week in March) your itinerary in reply nine would work, and you would reach Wengen at 12 41.
(If I personally were travelling this week I would catch the 07 10 Eurocity bound for BASEL via Brig, Spiez and Bern. I would get off at Spiez and would be in Wengen at 11 11!)
The Times of the Eurocity Trains
Your problem is that when we look up trains for SEPTEMBER the fast Eurocity trains are not appearing in the electronic ‘journey planners’. I am GUESSING that Swiss and Italian railways have not finalised the schedules of these trains. I think that you will have to be patient.
One further word of warning. Eurocity trains between Italy and Switzerland tend to be expensive, seat reservation is compulsory, and the Eurocities sometimes get fully booked.
(The return itinerary in my reply two avoids using Eurocity trains; none of the trains I mention have compulsory reservation.)
Kind regards
Roger
Roger,
Thanks for the great info. To answer your question prior to your last reply, I knew we would be traveling to Wengen on September 3rd and returning to Milan on the 4th. As the 3rd is a Thursday, I used the July or August schedule and picked out a Thursday to select that route. I was thinking picking the same day of the week would mimic what the real September might be. Of course, I’ll still need to wait for the schedule to come out and I will be monitoring each day. My goal is to pick the quickest train route available that day to get to Wengen. For the Eurorail trains, what do you consider expensive? Just wondering. In the end, I’m willing to pay more for our seats.
thanks so much for your helpful insights.
Regards,
Patrick
Hello again Patrick.
Drawbacks of Eurocity Trains when travelling from Italy.
Firstly, the fare on the Italian section is likely to be higher than the fare charged on a local ‘regional’ train.
Secondly the compulsory seat reservation. The fee is small. But trains can ‘sell out’ (particularly trains leaving a major city in the morning) and you cannot pick which side of the train to sit on. (I always want to sit on the more scenic side.)
Hooray! I now know you are travelling on September 3rd.
I have just looked at the Swiss electronic timetable http://www.sbb.ch/en
I am very glad I did. As I expected it did not show any Eurocity trains. But it showed me a sequence of trains which would use if were travelling from Milan to Wengen on 3rd September.
07 40 Regional train from Milano Porta Garibaldi to Domodossola, arrive there 09 53. Sit on the right hand side of the train in the direction of travel for views over Lake Maggiore.
09 58 (Swiss) RE1 train bound for Bern via Kandersteg. Sit on the left hand side of the train in the direction of travel for splendid views over the Rhone valley as the train climbs out of Brig. Get off this train at Spiez at 11 44
12 06 RE9 train to Interlaken OST, arriving there at 12 26. Sit on the left hand side of the train in the direction of travel for views over Lake Thun.
12 34 R62 train to Lauterbrunnen arrive 12 56. Straight across the platform to catch the 13 00 train bound for Kleine Scheidegg. Get off at Wengen at 13 11.
Word of warning
I now know that Italian Railways are doing Engineering work on the Simplon line in early September. So the first two trains in this sequence may be delayed.
Journey on the 4th
Travel as indicated in my reply TWO. I would stress that none of the trains require reservations.
Best wishes
Roger
Roger,
Thankyou for the guidance. On regional trains you cannot reserve seats? Not a problem, just wondering. I will purchase the tickets for the trip today. If those early trains are delayed, will it work to be able to catch the other trains? Even if a bit later? Thanks again.
Patrick
Hello Patrick
On regional trains you generally cannot reserve seats.
If those early trains are delayed, will it work to be able to catch the other trains? Even if a bit later?
All but the first train on the 3rd are Swiss trains. If you buy ordinary point-to-point tickets for Swiss trains, you can use the tickets on trains later than the ones you originally intended.
For the tickets on the 3rd, there is no need to hurry. Those tickets cannot ‘sell out’.
For your travels on the 4th I would recommend you buy (Swiss) Saver Day Passes. Those can be bought six months in advance. So buy on Thursday! (5th March!). Remember you will need a separate tickets for the 51 kms. Chiasso to Milan. Those can be bought on the day of travel. They cannot ‘sell out’.
Best wishes
Roger
Thankyou!
Regards,
Patrick
Roger,
I understand I need to buy separate tickets directly with the train line for the travel to/from Italy. For example, travel from Milan to Domodossola and Chiasso to Milan.But, for the regional trains I’ll be using the Saver Day Passes on, is it worth it to buy 1st class tickets? I’m thinking not as you didn’t mention it in all the back and forth. But, I’ll await your reply anyway before buying the SDP.
Thanks,Patrick
Hello again.
By all means use trainline to buy tickets for the Italian sections of your journeys; buying those tickets is not urgent. Italian regional train tickets cannot sell out, and they are not subject to ‘dynamic pricing’ where the price can go up the nearer you get to the date of travel. (Italian High Speed trains are subject to dynamic pricing, but you are not using them on this Wengen trip.)
First class saver day passes are going to be considerably more expensive than second class saver day passes. But on September 4th (a Friday – usually a busy day) they may well be worth the extra cost . At Interlaken, Luzern and Locarno you will be easily able to find seats in the first class. Second class may be (very) crowded.
Regards
Roger
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Roger,
Just to confirm, I only need either a first or second class Saver Pass to ride a regional train to/from Wengen. I know we go point-to-point on regional trains. Just want to be sure I don’t need to reserve or buy additional tickets for these trains.
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