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Planet Rail · Tailor-made escorted rail holiday

Lake Como - Jewel of the Italian Lakes by First Class Rail

Seven-day First Class rail journey from London to Lake Como and back

Illustration of Lake Como - Jewel of the Italian Lakes by First Class Rail

Planet Rail's Lake Como journey is a 7-day, 6-night First Class rail holiday that departs London on Eurostar, travels via Paris and the Swiss Alps to Lake Como, and returns through the Simplon Pass to Montreux and London. The trip emphasizes leisurely exploration: after a night in Zurich, travellers spend four nights based in the village of Lenno on Lake Como with three full days of free time to visit Bellagio, the town of Como and its cathedral, the gardens of Villa Carlotta, and the mountain hamlets of Monte Bre and Brunate. The journey itself forms part of the experience, with First Class rail throughout eight train legs, including the Gotthard Base Tunnel and the dramatic Simplon Pass. The itinerary suits couples seeking a romantic lake holiday, repeat rail travellers who appreciate named First Class trains across multiple countries, and independent explorers who value the flexibility of unguided days combined with the convenience of included accommodation and transport between regions.

What to know before you look closer

  • Ferry or taxi transfers from Como to Lenno on arrival and departure days are payable locally and not included in the from-price.
  • Meals beyond breakfast are not included; lunch and dinner must be arranged and paid separately.
  • Optional attractions such as Château de Chillon, the cog railway to Monte Bre, and the funicular to Brunate incur separate costs.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    By rail to Switzerland

    Depart London on the Eurostar service to Paris in Standard Premier Class. A taxi transfer takes you across Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon for your connecting TGV service to Zurich. Watch Paris' urban skyline give way to lush green pastures and the foothills of the Swiss Alps before arriving in Zurich. Take the tram or stroll to the Hotel Helmhaus (4 star) for your overnight stay.

    Meals: Breakfast not included, Light meal on Eurostar

  2. Day 2overnight: Lenno, Lake Como

    Free time in Zurich – Through the Swiss Alps to Lake Como

    After breakfast, explore Zurich's Old Town, the elegant Bahnhofstrasse, the Grossmünster, Fraumünster and St Peterskirche churches, and the shores of Lake Zurich. Return to Zurich station for the scenic journey along the Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps, through the Gotthard Base Tunnel (the world's longest tunnel), across the Swiss border and into Italy, arriving at Como. Take the ferry or taxi (payable locally) to Lenno and check in to the Hotel Albergo Lenno (4 star) for four nights.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Lenno, Lake Como

    Lenno, Bellagio, Como, Villa Carlotta, Varenna, Monte Bre, Brunate & Bergamo

    Free days to explore at leisure. Visit Bellagio ('la perla del lago'), the town of Como and its Duomo, Villa Carlotta with its art collection and gardens, picturesque Varenna, the mountain village of Monte Bre by cog railway, Brunate by funicular, or medieval Bergamo.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Lenno, Lake Como

    Free time on Lake Como

    Continue to explore Lake Como and its surroundings at leisure. Enjoy relaxing at the hotel or visiting nearby attractions including Bellagio, Varenna, Villa Carlotta, Monte Bre, Brunate or Bergamo.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: Lenno, Lake Como

    Free time on Lake Como

    Final full day to enjoy Lake Como. Stroll around Lenno along the Tremezzina coastal stretch, take a ferry across the lake, or revisit favourite spots.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Montreux

    Lake Como to Montreux on Lake Geneva

    Bid farewell to Lenno and travel by ferry or taxi to Como, then board the Euro City service to Milan Centrale. Change trains for the Euro City service through the Simplon Pass, through valleys and across mountain peaks, arriving at Montreux on Lake Geneva. Check in to the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior). Enjoy an evening stroll along the flower-lined promenade. Optionally visit Château de Chillon (payable locally).

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7rail

    Montreux to London – Homeward bound

    After a leisurely breakfast, return to Montreux station for the Inter Regio service to Lausanne, connecting with the TGV through France to Paris. A taxi transfer takes you back to Gare du Nord for the Eurostar to London St. Pancras International, enjoying a light meal and drinks on board.

    Meals: Breakfast, Light meal on Eurostar

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar departs London St. Pancras to Paris in Standard Premier Class, with a TGV connection from Paris Gare de Lyon to Zurich in First Class as the urban skyline gives way to the Swiss Alps.
  • Day 2The scenic Gotthard route from Zurich travels through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest tunnel, and descends into Italy to arrive at Lake Como.
  • Day 3Free days on Lake Como include optional visits to Bellagio, Villa Carlotta with its art collection and gardens, the town of Como and its Duomo, and the mountain villages of Monte Bre and Brunate.
  • Day 6The Euro City train from Milan crosses the Simplon Pass through valleys and mountain peaks to reach Montreux on Lake Geneva, where an evening stroll along the flower-lined promenade follows check-in to the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic.

Included

  • Eurostar Standard Premier Class London to Paris
  • Taxi transfer across Paris (Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon)
  • TGV First Class Paris to Zurich
  • First Class rail Zurich to Como via Gotthard Pass
  • Euro City First Class Como/Milan to Montreux via Simplon Pass
  • Inter Regio First Class Montreux to Lausanne
  • TGV First Class Lausanne to Paris
  • Taxi transfer across Paris (Gare de Lyon to Gare du Nord)
  • Eurostar Standard Premier Class Paris to London
  • 1 night B&B at Hotel Helmhaus Zurich (4 star)
  • 4 nights B&B at Hotel Albergo Lenno, Lake Como (4 star)
  • 1 night B&B at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, Montreux (4 star superior)

Not included

  • Ferry or taxi from Como to Lenno (payable locally)
  • Ferry or taxi from Lenno to Como on departure day (payable locally)
  • Château de Chillon entrance (payable locally)
  • Trolley bus to Château de Chillon (payable locally)
  • Cog railway to Monte Bre (payable locally)
  • Funicular to Brunate (payable locally)
  • Meals not specified as breakfast
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenditure

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
Planet Rail includes Eurostar (London to Paris and return, Standard Premier Class), TGV (Paris to Zurich and Lausanne to Paris, First Class), Swiss Federal Railways (Zurich to Como via Gotthard Base Tunnel, First Class), Euro City (Como to Milan and Milan to Montreux via Simplon Pass, First Class), and Inter Regio (Montreux to Lausanne, First Class).
What is included in the price?
The from-price of GBP 1,595 includes all named First Class rail journeys, taxi transfers across Paris, one night B&B at Hotel Helmhaus Zurich (4 star), four nights B&B at Hotel Albergo Lenno Lake Como (4 star), and one night B&B at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic Montreux (4 star superior). Breakfast is included daily.
Is the tour escorted or independent?
Planet Rail describes this as a tailor-made escorted rail holiday. Days 3, 4, and 5 on Lake Como are free time at leisure; the itinerary does not mention a guide or group activities on those days.
How much free time is there?
Three full days (Days 3, 4, 5) are free time based in Lenno. Visitors can explore Bellagio, Como, Villa Carlotta, Varenna, Monte Bre, Brunate, or Bergamo at their own pace.
What is not included?
Not included: ferry or taxi from Como to Lenno on arrival and departure days, Château de Chillon entrance and trolley bus, cog railway to Monte Bre, funicular to Brunate, meals beyond breakfast, travel insurance, and personal expenditure.
When does it depart?
Planet Rail lists departures throughout the year at the from-price of GBP 1,595.

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