• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Expat
  • Blog
    • General
    • Events
    • Waterfalls
    • Hiking
  • Cantons
    • Basel
    • Bern
    • Luzern
    • Ticino
    • Valais
    • Vaud
    • Zug
    • Zurich
  • Collaborate With Us
Together In Switzerland logo

Together In Switzerland

All Things Swiss

The Scenic Centovalli Railway: Between Locarno and Domodossola

Zoe| Ticino

If you are looking for an easy travel route between Ticino, Switzerland and Northern Italy, or want to enjoy a scenic train ride for a day trip, the Centovalli Railway is a journey you should check out. The distinctive white and blue trains run daily and suitable for everyone wanting to travel along the pretty scenic route via Locarno and Domodossola.

Officially the Centovalli Railway was opened in 25 November 1923, which now transports thousands of passengers every year between Switzerland and Italy. The train has a few carriages, which follow a single train track through the whole journey.

Centovalli Railway – Where To Start?

Starting either at the pretty Italian city of Domodossola or at the Swiss sunny location of Locarno, both stations can be found underground at each end. This is where the trains depart for the whole journey to the final station. They are easy to find with signposts and directions clear at both the Swiss and Italian stations.

Most travellers take the train the whole journey, but you can always also consider getting off at at earlier stop for a local hike or to explore at a village along the way. There are a total of 32 stops along the way.

We noticed that the train does not stop at most stops along the way. And this is because you will have to inform the conductor in advance what stop you will take, as the train will not stop at your middle destination otherwise. You will see the employee walk through at the beginning to check with you about your final destination.

Tickets

From our personal experience while living in Locarno, we have been on this train multiple times during Summer and Winter. The train is easy to travel on with a ticket via our SBB train app as like most Swiss/Italian trains. So we also benefit from the reduced fare with our Swisspass card.

Alternatively you can also buy your train ticket in advance online (which is also recommended during busy periods during summer or with an event). For example, when Domodossola has their Christmas markets open in December, it can be very busy on the train at weekends. Likewise for when Locarno has the Film Festival event during August.

The train company also advertises offers, such as 2 for 1 travel for 2 people, so that you only pay for one person. These are great deals when you are flexible for your travels! Check the official website for latest deals for your journey and dates of travel.

A Stunning Scenic Journey

The journey is one of the main local scenic train railways you can take in the Ticino Canton of Switzerland to the Northern Italy region of Piedmont. This panoramic train route is very pretty all year round with every season, but even more stunning after a wintery white snowfall and during the Autumn foliage oranges and browns.

Let me also highlight that this is not a fast train. This is in fact rather slow, and we find that this is actually rather more enjoyable. Since you are likely wanting to take the train for the scenery. The total Centovalli railway journey is 52km long, which goes over 83 bridges and through 31 tunnels. You pass numerous waterfalls (depending on the season you are travelling in) too. The journey takes you through the Vigezzo Valley and Centovalli, and it truly is beautiful.

Tip: Sitting on either side of the train has amazing views along the way. However when leaving Locarno towards Domodossola, we would personally recommend sitting on the left side. As this is the side that the train has the best views along the Swiss Centovalli valley before heading over the Italian border.

Centovalli Railway Summary

Our personal journeys on this panoramic train has been enjoyable every time. The train in our experience has been overall very clean, used by tourists and locals alike, and always welcomed by the friendly staff. Overall we definitely recommend a trip on the Centovalli railway if you either;

  • Enjoy scenic train rides through Swiss and Italian mountains
  • Want to visit a local event, such as the Domodossola Christmas Markets or the Locarno Film Festival.
  • Need to travel further through Italy or Switzerland, using this train during the journey.
The Scenic Centovalli Railway Between Locarno and Domodossola - www.togetherinswitzerland.com
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin6
6 Shares
← Previous Post
Next Post →

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Ciao, I’m Zoe!

Zoe Together In Switzerland

I’m a native Brit-turned-Dutch expat living in Ticino, Switzerland with my boyfriend and kitty cat since 2022.

Our site highlights our most fun adventures and experiences while exploring local life in Switzerland.

Enjoy!

Follow Along

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Swiss Travels!

2022

  • Basel – April 2022
  • Zurich – April 2022
  • Chiasso – September 2022
  • Zermatt – November 2022
  • Zurich – December 2022

 

2023

  • Vaud – January 2023
  • Rest – Let’s see!

Popular Posts

Winter In Lugano: Snowy Viewpoints, Christmas Festivities and Warm Things To DoWinter In Lugano: Snowy Viewpoints, Christmas Festivities and Warm Things To Do
The Best Locations To Visit Switzerland In 2023The Best Locations To Visit Switzerland In 2023
Discover The Village of Gandria, LuganoDiscover The Village of Gandria, Lugano
Zermatt In Winter: Things To Do For Non-SkiersZermatt In Winter: Things To Do For Non-Skiers
9 Beautiful Reasons To Visit Ascona, Switzerland9 Beautiful Reasons To Visit Ascona, Switzerland
Best Places To Stay In Lugano SwitzerlandBest Places To Stay In Lugano Switzerland
Moving To Switzerland: Everything You Need To KnowMoving To Switzerland: Everything You Need To Know
Morcote Switzerland: One Of The Prettiest Villages In TicinoMorcote Switzerland: One Of The Prettiest Villages In Ticino
Best Places to Visit in Switzerland in SpringBest Places to Visit in Switzerland in Spring
What Time Is It In Lugano Switzerland?What Time Is It In Lugano Switzerland?

Instagram

Happy Thursday 🌹 We are counting down to the we Happy Thursday 🌹 We are counting down to the weekend for some hiking! 
On 1st April, many places are reopening, such as Monte Tamaro, Monte Lema and already Monte Generoso! ⛰️
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
..
.
.
.#tessin #ticinomoments #ticinoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #tessintourismus #ticinonline #srfmeteo #lugano  #mountainslovers❤️ #switzerlandtravel #togetherinswitzerland #switzerlandpictures #swissphoto #swissphotographer #flowerphotographylove
I love how we see helicopters every week flying ar I love how we see helicopters every week flying around Lugano 🚁😍 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel  #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #swisshelicopter #swisshelicopters #swisshelicoptersphotography
♡ / Celebrating 8 wonderful months in Switzerlan ♡ / Celebrating 8 wonderful months in Switzerland 🇨🇭
Wow time flies when your having fun! 
We've explored already so much of our home canton of Ticino as well as visited the cantons of Vaud, Valais, Zurich, Luzern, Basel, Bern and Zug. ☀️
We've been in the snowy mountains to the summery waterfalls, with lots of beautiful memories made. 🌴🏔️
Bring on the next few exciting months until our 1 year swiss expat anniversary! 🎉
.
.
.
.
.
#swisslife #swisslifestyle #swissexpat #expatsexploreswitzerland #togetherinswitzerland #swisslocal #ticinomoments #ticinoturismo #tessin #zermat #mygornergratmoment #gornergrat #asconalocarno #ascona #asconaswitzerland #ascona_locarno #luganoswitzerland #luganoregion #brienzswitzerland #brienz #switzerlandtravel #switzerlandphotos #switzerlandtourism #luganophotographer #cantonticino
Buon martedì a tutti 🌿 . . . . . . . .. . . .# Buon martedì a tutti 🌿
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
.
.#tessin #ticinomoments #ticinoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #tessintourismus #ticinonline #srfmeteo #asconalocarno #asconaswitzerland #ascona #lugano #magnolia #magnoliaflower #magnoliaflowers #sweetmagnolias #snowmountains #mountainslovers❤️ #cimetta #cima #switzerlandtravel #togetherinswitzerland #switzerlandpictures #swissphoto #swissphotographer #flowerphotographylove
They are magnolias, right?! 🏔️🌸 . . . . . They are magnolias, right?! 🏔️🌸
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.#tessin #ticinomoments #ticinoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #tessintourismus #ticinonline #srfmeteo #asconalocarno #asconaswitzerland #ascona #lugano #magnolia #magnoliaflower #magnoliaflowers #sweetmagnolias #snowmountains #mountainslovers❤️ #cimetta #cima #switzerlandtravel #togetherinswitzerland #switzerlandpictures #swissphoto #swissphotographer
The stone houses of Bré 🏚️🇨🇭 While vi The stone houses of Bré 🏚️🇨🇭
While visiting the viewpoint of Monte Bré, spend a little time visiting the village of Bré. 
The car-free cobblestone pathways has an art walking route around the houses. 🖼️
You can also pass by the Wilhelm Schmid Museum, which contains works by the artist. 🎨
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#bre #montebre #montebrelugano #brevillage #ticino #ticinomoments #ticinoturismo #tessin #tessintourismus #ticinoswitzerland #luganoswitzerland #lugano🇨🇭 #luganoregion #luganophotographer #switzerlandtravel #swissvillages #swisstravel #villagelife🏡 #togetherinswitzerland
Happy Thursday 🌹 We are counting down to the we Happy Thursday 🌹 We are counting down to the weekend for some hiking! 
On 1st April, many places are reopening, such as Monte Tamaro, Monte Lema and already Monte Generoso! ⛰️
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
..
.
.
.#tessin #ticinomoments #ticinoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #tessintourismus #ticinonline #srfmeteo #lugano  #mountainslovers❤️ #switzerlandtravel #togetherinswitzerland #switzerlandpictures #swissphoto #swissphotographer #flowerphotographylove
I love how we see helicopters every week flying ar I love how we see helicopters every week flying around Lugano 🚁😍 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel  #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #swisshelicopter #swisshelicopters #swisshelicoptersphotography
Fun throwback: I took this selfie in November 2021 Fun throwback: I took this selfie in November 2021 when we were visiting Ticino as tourists. I fell in love instantly as it was my first time! ❤️
Little did we know at that time, that we'd actually be moving to Switzerland only 8 months later!!
📍 Bré, Switzerland
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin
Did you know there are more than 200 species of ca Did you know there are more than 200 species of camellias? 🌺 We've already spotted a few blooming in Lugano, and look forward to seeing a lot more! 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #camellias  #camelliaflower
✈ That sweet moment you wake up on the flight ho ✈ That sweet moment you wake up on the flight home just as you're flying above home ♡
Photo one: Here you can easily spot Lake Maggiore with @ascona_locarno, @isoledibrissago, @mycardadacimetta, @montetamaro and more 🌴
Photo two: Here I was super happy to spot Lake Lugano with @lugano.region, @monte.bre, @montesansalvatore, @morcote__official and of course much more! ⛅
.
.
.
.
..
.
#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #easyjetswitzerland
Venus & Jupiter floating above Lugano last night 🪐
As of Match 3rd last night, Venus is moving away from Jupiter, as the altitude of the gas giant begins to decrease in the evening sky. 📷
Jupiter will sink into the Sun’s glare before reaching solar conjunction (on the opposite side of the Sun to the Earth) on 11 April 2023. ⭐
I personally don't do much night photography, but I'm glad to have captured both planets! ❤️
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #jupiterandvenus #srfmeteo #nighttimelapse #venusandjupiter #conjunction
Amore del cigno 🦢🤍 We love birds spotting i Amore del cigno 🦢🤍
We love birds spotting in Ticino, with swans always being a delight to watch in Lake Lugano.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
..
#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #cignobianco #cigno
Sunshine above the clouds ♡ in Lugano 🇨🇭 Sunshine above the clouds ♡ in Lugano 🇨🇭
Taken this morning 25.02.2023, the clouds are floating below Monte Bré ⛅ 
The best way to see the sunshine and low clouds is on one of the many Ticino peaks, such as;
- Monte Bré
- Monte San Salvatore (in images opposite)
- Monte Tamaro
- Cimetta 
- Monte Generoso 
📍 Lugano, Switzerland 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #srfmeteo

Footer

Recent Posts

  • Zurich Switzerland: Here’s What You Can Enjoy, See and Visit!
  • Stunning Spring Gardens In Ticino
  • Gambarogno Botanical Park In Ticino
  • All Seasons At Parco Ciani In Lugano
  • Our First Vet Experience In Lugano Ticino

Copyright

© Together In Switzerland, 2022. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Zoe and Togetherinswitzerland.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Copyright © 2023 · Your Site Name

Florence Theme by Code + Coconut