[Bluegrass26]

13 July 2026 at 3:59:05 #2797850

I will be arriving in Zurich by plane from Canada late September and will spend a few days in Switzerland and then travel to Italy for a week.  Mid-October I will have a flight from Zurich back to Canada.
What would be a good Zurich( or possibly Lucerne)-Milan_Zurich route to get the best of scenic train rides.  I will be using a eurail pass.
Thanks,
Robert in Canada

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[Anna]

Reply 1 of 1 • 13 July 2026 at 12:48:31 #2797859

Hi Bluegrass26,

Based on your plans, I recommend the following route if you have a few days in Switzerland:

Zurich to Milan: travel via St Moritz along the scenic Bernina railway line
Day 1 – Arrival in Zurich. Spend 1 night in Zurich.
Day 2 – Travel by train to St Moritz (3.5h). Spend 1 night in St Moritz or Pontresina
Day 3 – Travel by train (Bernina Express) to Milan via Tirano (5 hours)

Information about the Bernina Express: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/bernina-express/

Milan to Zurich: travel via Lugano
Day 1 – Milan to Lugano by train (1.5 h). Overnight (optional)
Day 2 – Lugano to Lucerne on the Treno Gottardo or the scenic Gotthard Panorama Express which includes a lake cruise (5.5h). Stay 1 night in Lucerne
Day 3 – Lucerne to Zurich Airport (1h, train runs every hour)

Information about the Gotthard Panorama Express: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/gotthard-panorama-express/

You can find useful information about tickets and travel options between Switzerland and Italy here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-guide/italy-switzerland/

Please note that the Eurail Global Pass is valid on the trains (including scenic trains) but priors seat reservation is required on the panoramic trains. Further details available here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/eurail-global-pass/

Hope this helps!
Anna