Recommended stops between Milan and Zurich
A traveler is planning a trip in February from Milan to Zurich, wanting to explore along the way and considering stops in Lugano and potentially Locarno. They are looking for advice on whether this plan is worthwhile and if there are other towns worth visiting during their journey.
- Take the RE80 train from Milan to Lugano, which takes about 75 minutes.
- After Lugano, consider visiting Locarno for lunch, as it's only a 33-minute train ride away.
- If you enjoy castles, make a stop in Bellinzona, just 15 minutes from Lugano.
- To experience beautiful scenery, take the Treno Gottardo from Locarno to Zurich, especially on the 14:33 departure for the last bit of daylight.
AI-generated summary-
We will be traveling in February from Milan to Zurich via train to catch a flight the following day so the thought is to spend some time exploring along the way. One thought is to leave Milan early in the day, spend time in Lugano and then spend the night in Zurich before catching our 9am international flight. Would this be worthwhile compared to just going directly to Zurich? Are there there other towns along the route we should consider exploring other than Lugano?
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Hello again TIA
Leave Milan on an RE80 train bound for Locarno via Chiasso and Lugano. These trains leave Milano Centrale at 43 minutes past each hour and take 75 minutes to get to Lugano.
Having enjoyed beautiful Lugano (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lugano/) for a couple of hours, go on to Locarno (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/locarno/) and have lunch there. Trains from Lugano to Locarno are every 30 minutes, and do the journey in 33 minutes. Locarno is a very attractive quite small town (in Switzerland) at the north end of Lake Maggiore.
From Locarno the ‘Treno Gottardo’ leaves every hour at 33 minutes past each hour. These trains take the highly scenic OLD Gotthard railway line via Airolo. The journey to Zurich takes three hours and 22 minutes. If you caught the 13 33 or 15 33 departures a change at Arth-Goldau will be required.
You say you are travelling in February. I would catch the 14 33 departure from Locarno. This is a through train to Zurich, getting there at 17 55. This is the last train in which the whole of your journey will be in daylight.
Kind regards
Roger
Thanks I’ll check these places out!
Tracy
Hi Tracy,
If you like castles, there are 3 in Bellinzona to explore. Bellinzona is some 15 minutes from Lugano. More details in the link below.
If you do make it to Locarno and time permits, you may want to visit Ascona, you can catch a bus and enjoy a lovely walk. More information here.
Have a great trip.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
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