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Planet Rail · Luxury rail holiday

A Trio of the Best Italian Lakes via Locarno by First Class rail

First Class rail tour through Lake Como, Garda, and Maggiore from London

Illustration of A Trio of the Best Italian Lakes via Locarno by First Class rail

Planet Rail's 15-day independent rail holiday departs London St Pancras and ends in Lausanne, taking you through three of northern Italy's most celebrated lakes. The journey combines first-class rail travel across multiple European services, including the high-speed TGV, scenic EuroCity trains through the Gotthard Pass, and the distinctive Centovalli Railway through Italian valleys, with stays at four-star lakeside hotels. You spend four nights each at Lenno on Lake Como, Desenzano on Lake Garda, and Locarno on Lake Maggiore, with stops in Zurich and Montreux. Days are structured around relaxation: you have full days to explore each lake by ferry, visit towns like Bellagio and Sirmione (ferries payable locally), and use your included Ticino Ticket to travel freely around the Locarno region. The package is designed for independent travellers who want luxury accommodation and first-class rail comfort without a guide, making it ideal for couples seeking a self-paced Italian Alpine and lake experience.

What to know before you look closer

  • Lake ferries, cruises, and some day excursions (such as the Day 11 Stresa outing) are payable locally and not included in the package price.
  • The journey from Como station to Lenno requires either a taxi or ferry, both payable locally; similarly, the taxi transfer from Desenzano station to the Lake Garda hotel is included, but not all local transport on arrival.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    By rail to Switzerland

    Your holiday to the Italian Lakes begins at London St Pancras International. Board the Eurostar to Paris, savouring the light meal and drinks served at your seat in Standard Premier Class as you reach speeds of up to 186mph. On arrival in the French capital you are transferred across the city by private taxi to the Gare de Lyon, where you connect with the high-speed TGV service to Switzerland, travelling through undulating countryside to the attractive lakeside city of Zurich. Your hotel for tonight is the popular Hotel Helmhaus (4 star). After settling in, take a whistle-stop tour of the compact Old Town either side of the River Limmat: the baroque Rathaus, the Grossmünster, Fraumünster and St Peterskirche, whose clock face is the largest in Europe, plus the elegant shops along Bahnhofstrasse.

  2. Day 2overnight: Lenno, Lake Como

    Through Switzerland to Lake Como

    After a leisurely breakfast in the hotel, make your way back to Zurich station and join the comfortable Euro City service along the spectacular Gotthard route, past soaring mountain peaks and through the Gotthard Tunnel into Italy. On arrival at Como station this afternoon, either take a taxi or enjoy a picturesque ferry journey (both payable locally) along the lake to Lenno, where you spend four nights at the highly-rated Hotel Albergo Lenno (4 star), ideally situated with glorious views over Lake Como.

  3. Day 3overnight: Lenno, Lake Como

    Exploring Lake Como

    Three full days to relax at your hotel or stroll around Lenno. Take a ferry to nearby Bellagio with its narrow cobbled streets and glorious villas, or visit Villa Carlotta, a perfect combination of luxurious interiors, including an Eros and Psyche by Antonio Canova, and gardens with over 500 species of plants. Travel by ferry to the lovely walled town of Como with its fascinating Duomo, or to picturesque Varenna with its steep winding alleys, the ancient castle above the town, Villa Cipressi and Villa Monastero. Ride the funicular up to Brunate for breath-taking views of Lake Como and the distant Alps, or visit medieval Bergamo with its Piazza Vecchia.

  4. Day 4overnight: Lenno, Lake Como

    Exploring Lake Como

    Three full days to relax at your hotel or stroll around Lenno. Take a ferry to nearby Bellagio with its narrow cobbled streets and glorious villas, or visit Villa Carlotta, a perfect combination of luxurious interiors, including an Eros and Psyche by Antonio Canova, and gardens with over 500 species of plants. Travel by ferry to the lovely walled town of Como with its fascinating Duomo, or to picturesque Varenna with its steep winding alleys, the ancient castle above the town, Villa Cipressi and Villa Monastero. Ride the funicular up to Brunate for breath-taking views of Lake Como and the distant Alps, or visit medieval Bergamo with its Piazza Vecchia.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lenno, Lake Como

    Exploring Lake Como

    Three full days to relax at your hotel or stroll around Lenno. Take a ferry to nearby Bellagio with its narrow cobbled streets and glorious villas, or visit Villa Carlotta, a perfect combination of luxurious interiors, including an Eros and Psyche by Antonio Canova, and gardens with over 500 species of plants. Travel by ferry to the lovely walled town of Como with its fascinating Duomo, or to picturesque Varenna with its steep winding alleys, the ancient castle above the town, Villa Cipressi and Villa Monastero. Ride the funicular up to Brunate for breath-taking views of Lake Como and the distant Alps, or visit medieval Bergamo with its Piazza Vecchia.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Desenzano, Lake Garda

    Lake Como to Lake Garda

    Bid farewell to charming Lenno as you make your way back down the lake to Como station (payable locally). Join the train for the brief journey south to Milan, change at Milan's art-deco Centrale station and continue on the Eurostar Italia service to Desenzano on the shores of Lake Garda. Your private taxi transfer takes you to your hotel for the next four nights, the stylish Park Hotel (4 star), ideally located overlooking the lake in the heart of the town.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Desenzano, Lake Garda

    Exploring Lake Garda

    Three full days to explore Lake Garda and its surrounding attractions. See the lake at its best on a relaxing cruise (payable locally), with ferries to Limone, Riva del Garda or Malcesine in the north, or Torri del Benaco, Lazise and Sirmione in the south; Sirmione is well worth a visit, with its narrow medieval streets and 13th century castle. Relax in Desenzano itself, with its inter-connected squares, shops, ice cream parlours and pavement cafés, its medieval castle and the ruins of a Roman villa. Alternatively use the local rail network to reach timeless Venice, the charming walled city of Verona or Bolzano in the heart of the Dolomites.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Desenzano, Lake Garda

    Exploring Lake Garda

    Three full days to explore Lake Garda and its surrounding attractions. See the lake at its best on a relaxing cruise (payable locally), with ferries to Limone, Riva del Garda or Malcesine in the north, or Torri del Benaco, Lazise and Sirmione in the south; Sirmione is well worth a visit, with its narrow medieval streets and 13th century castle. Relax in Desenzano itself, with its inter-connected squares, shops, ice cream parlours and pavement cafés, its medieval castle and the ruins of a Roman villa. Alternatively use the local rail network to reach timeless Venice, the charming walled city of Verona or Bolzano in the heart of the Dolomites.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Desenzano, Lake Garda

    Exploring Lake Garda

    Three full days to explore Lake Garda and its surrounding attractions. See the lake at its best on a relaxing cruise (payable locally), with ferries to Limone, Riva del Garda or Malcesine in the north, or Torri del Benaco, Lazise and Sirmione in the south; Sirmione is well worth a visit, with its narrow medieval streets and 13th century castle. Relax in Desenzano itself, with its inter-connected squares, shops, ice cream parlours and pavement cafés, its medieval castle and the ruins of a Roman villa. Alternatively use the local rail network to reach timeless Venice, the charming walled city of Verona or Bolzano in the heart of the Dolomites.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Locarno, Lake Maggiore

    Lake Garda to Lake Maggiore

    Today you leave Lake Garda behind as your private taxi transfer returns you to the station. Join the Trenitalia Frecciarossa service and travel in First Class to Milan, change at Milan's stunning art-deco station and join the comfortable First Class regional train as it winds northwards to Switzerland and the attractive town of Locarno, nestled on the shores of Lake Maggiore. On arrival make your way the short distance to your hotel for the next four nights, the charming and stylish Hotel Belvedere (4 star superior).

  11. Day 11railovernight: Locarno, Lake Maggiore

    Lake Maggiore and Stresa (supplements apply)

    Enjoy a truly unforgettable day as you head south by ferry (payable locally) to the charming Italian resort of Stresa. Visit Lake Maggiore's stunning islands on a relaxing lake cruise (payable locally), including Isola Bella and the gorgeous Borromeo Palace with its lovely Italian gardens. When you are ready to return to Locarno, travel back along the lake, or head north to Domodossola and experience the eastbound journey along the narrow gauge Centovalli Railway back into Switzerland, a stunning, slow journey between villages and nature across bridges, viaducts and valleys. Alternatively relax at your hotel and enjoy its excellent facilities, including the indoor and outdoor pools.

  12. Day 12overnight: Locarno, Lake Maggiore

    Locarno, Ascona, Bellinzona and Lugano with your Ticino Ticket

    Two further days to explore the pretty lakeside town of Locarno with its charming mix of Swiss and Italian cultures, or venture along Lake Maggiore to the charming town of Ascona with its lakeside promenade. Use your Ticino Ticket to travel free on public transport throughout the canton of Ticino. Head to Bellinzona, arguably the most Italian city in Switzerland, with the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and the UNESCO World Heritage Fortress of Bellinzona, or make your way south-east to the delightful lakeside city of Lugano with its sunny Mediterranean feel, the Piazza della Riforma, Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore, and Lake Lugano cruises to Gandria or Morcote. For a slice of culture visit the Hermann Hesse museum in nearby Montagnola.

  13. Day 13overnight: Locarno, Lake Maggiore

    Locarno, Ascona, Bellinzona and Lugano with your Ticino Ticket

    Two further days to explore the pretty lakeside town of Locarno with its charming mix of Swiss and Italian cultures, or venture along Lake Maggiore to the charming town of Ascona with its lakeside promenade. Use your Ticino Ticket to travel free on public transport throughout the canton of Ticino. Head to Bellinzona, arguably the most Italian city in Switzerland, with the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and the UNESCO World Heritage Fortress of Bellinzona, or make your way south-east to the delightful lakeside city of Lugano with its sunny Mediterranean feel, the Piazza della Riforma, Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore, and Lake Lugano cruises to Gandria or Morcote. For a slice of culture visit the Hermann Hesse museum in nearby Montagnola.

  14. Day 14railovernight: Montreux

    Lake Maggiore to Montreux on Lake Geneva

    Today you leave Italy behind as you make your way to Locarno's F.A.R.T. station and board the narrow gauge Centovalli Railway for a truly unforgettable journey across viaducts and bridges through, as the name suggests, a hundred different valleys. Alight at Domodossola and journey into the Alps for the spectacular ride through the Simplon Pass to the pretty lakeside town of Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva. Your hotel for the night is the belle époque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior), located right next to the station. Take a stroll alongside Lake Geneva and visit this elegant lakeside town, home to the famous jazz festival.

  15. Day 15rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast and time for some last-minute sightseeing in Montreux, join the Inter Regio train to Lausanne, then connect with the TGV to whisk you back to Paris. Your private taxi transfer takes you to the Gare du Nord, where you board the Eurostar and savour the light meal and drinks included in your Standard Premier service, returning to London St. Pancras International for the final leg of your journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The EuroCity train travels the spectacular Gotthard route from Zurich to Como, passing soaring mountain peaks and through the Gotthard Tunnel into Italy.
  • Day 14The narrow-gauge Centovalli Railway departs from Locarno, crossing viaducts and bridges through a hundred valleys, then climbs to Domodossola before the spectacular Simplon Pass ascent to Montreux.
  • Day 3From Lenno, ferries (payable locally) connect to nearby Bellagio with its narrow cobbled streets, and to Villa Carlotta with its Canova sculpture and 500-species gardens.

Included

  • 1st class rail travel throughout
  • 4 star accommodation throughout (14 nights)
  • Lake view rooms at all hotels on Lake Como, Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore (subject to availability and prices)
  • Private taxi transfers across Paris between Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon
  • Private taxi transfers between Desenzano station and your Lake Garda hotel
  • Ticino Ticket giving free public transport throughout the canton of Ticino

Not included

  • Taxi or ferry between Como station and Lenno (payable locally)
  • Lake ferries and cruises on Como, Garda and Maggiore (payable locally)
  • Day 11 Lake Maggiore and Stresa excursion (supplements apply)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. First-class rail throughout is included, from London St Pancras to Lausanne on named trains including Eurostar, TGV, EuroCity, Trenitalia Frecciarossa, the Centovalli Railway, and regional services.
Is this an escorted tour?
No. Planet Rail operates this as an independent, self-guided tailor-made holiday with no tour manager or escort.
What accommodation is provided?
Fourteen nights in four-star hotels: Hotel Helmhaus in Zurich (1 night), Albergo Lenno on Lake Como (4 nights), Park Hotel in Desenzano on Lake Garda (4 nights), Hotel Belvedere in Locarno on Lake Maggiore (4 nights), and Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic in Montreux (1 night). Lake-view rooms at the three lake hotels are included subject to availability.
What is not included?
Lake ferries and cruises on Como, Garda, and Maggiore are payable locally. The taxi or ferry between Como station and Lenno is payable locally. Some optional day trips (e.g., to Venice, Verona, or Milan) and the Day 11 Lake Maggiore and Stresa excursion carry supplements.
How much walking is involved?
Days involve strolling around lakeside towns and ferries to nearby destinations; the itinerary suggests relaxation and optional exploration rather than strenuous activity.

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