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Planet Rail · Independent tailor-made rail holiday

Lake Como – Jewel of the Italian Lakes via Locarno by First Class rail

First Class rail loop through Swiss Alps and Italian lakes, Zurich to Montreux

Illustration of Lake Como – Jewel of the Italian Lakes via Locarno by First Class rail

Planet Rail's 7-day independent rail holiday circles the Italian lakes and Swiss Alps from London to Lausanne, combining First Class train journeys with lakeside leisure. The trip departs London on the Eurostar through Paris, then the TGV crosses to Zurich for one night. Day 2 brings the scenic Gotthard route through the Alps and into Italy, arriving at Lake Como, where you spend four nights based at the Hotel Albergo Lenno on the Tremezzina shore. Days are free to explore by ferry: visit Bellagio's cobbled streets and villas, tour Como's Duomo and historic centre, or ride the funicular to Brunate for mountain views. On Day 6, the narrow gauge Centovalli Railway carries you across a hundred valleys to Domodossola, then the Simplon Pass service delivers you to elegant Montreux on Lake Geneva for a final night at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic. The journey home on Day 7 is by Inter Regio and TGV to Paris, returning by Eurostar to London. This suits couples and independent rail travellers who relish both scenic train routes and the freedom to set their own daily rhythm.

What to know before you look closer

  • Como station to Lenno requires a locally-paid ferry or taxi; this is not included in the package price.
  • The trip is independent and self-guided; you navigate between stations and hotels on your own, not with a tour guide.
  • Days 3, 4, and 5 are free time in Lenno; the itinerary lists options (Bellagio, Como, Varenna, Monte Bre, Brunate, Bergamo) but does not confirm which activities are available or require separate admission.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    By rail to Switzerland

    Board the Eurostar to Paris, reclining with a drink and light meal in Standard Premier Class. At the Gare du Nord your taxi transfer whisks you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon for the connecting TGV to Zurich, watching the urban skyline give way to lush pastures and the foothills of the Swiss Alps. Overnight at the Hotel Helmhaus (4 star), a tram ride or stroll from Zurich main station.

  2. Day 2overnight: Lenno, Lake Como

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

    A free morning in Zurich: the Old Town, Bahnhofstrasse, the Grossmünster, Fraumünster and St Peterskirche, or the shores of Lake Zurich and the Lindenhof viewpoint. Then the scenic Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps and the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world’s longest tunnel, into Italy. From Como station take the picturesque ferry or a taxi (payable locally) to Lenno, for four nights at the friendly, highly-rated Hotel Albergo Lenno (4 star) with glorious views over Lake Como.

  3. Day 3overnight: Lenno, Lake Como

    Lenno and Bellagio

    Relax at your hotel or stroll around Lenno on the Tremezzina shore; perhaps visit Bellagio, la perla del lago, with its narrow cobbled streets, breath-taking views and glorious villas.

  4. Day 4overnight: Lenno, Lake Como

    Como and Villa Carlotta

    Travel by ferry to the lovely town of Como to visit the Duomo and the walled historic centre, or to Villa Carlotta with its stuccos, ceiling frescoes, Canova’s Eros and Psyche, and gardens of over 500 plant species.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Lenno, Lake Como

    Varenna, Monte Bre, Brunate and Bergamo

    Options include picturesque Varenna with its winding alleys, ancient castle, Villa Cipressi and Villa Monastero; the cog railway to Monte Bre for views of Lake Lugano; the funicular to Brunate for views of Lake Como and the Alps; or medieval Bergamo and the Piazza Vecchia.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Montreux

    Lake Como to Montreux on Lake Geneva

    Head to Como town by ferry or taxi and board the regional service north to Locarno, then the narrow gauge Centovalli Railway across viaducts and bridges through a hundred different valleys to Domodossola. Continue along the Simplon Pass to elegant Montreux on Lake Geneva. Overnight at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) opposite the station; stroll the flower-lined promenade or take the trolley bus to the medieval Château de Chillon (payable locally).

  7. Day 7rail

    Montreux to London - Homeward bound

    After a leisurely breakfast, the Inter Regio service to Lausanne connects with the super-fast TGV to Paris in 1st Class comfort. A taxi transfer returns you to the Gare du Nord for the Eurostar to London St. Pancras International, with a light meal and drinks at your seat.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Gotthard route climbs through the Swiss Alps and descends through the world's longest tunnel into Italy, arriving at Lake Como.
  • Day 6The Centovalli Railway, a narrow gauge line, crosses viaducts and bridges through a hundred valleys between Locarno and Domodossola.

Included

  • First Class Rail travel throughout your journey (Standard Premier on Eurostar)
  • 1 night B&B in a double room at the Hotel Helmhaus (4 star), Zurich
  • 4 nights B&B in a double room at the Hotel Albergo Lenno (4 star), Lenno
  • 1 night B&B in a double room at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior), Montreux
  • Taxi transfers across Paris between Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon (both directions)

Not included

  • Como station to Lenno ferry or taxi (payable locally)
  • Château de Chillon trolley bus and entry (payable locally)

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included?
Yes. Planet Rail includes First Class rail on the Eurostar (Standard Premier), TGV, Gotthard route service, regional service Como to Locarno, Centovalli Railway, Simplon Pass service, and Inter Regio. Taxi transfers across Paris are included; ferry or taxi from Como station to Lenno cost extra.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Independent and self-guided. You make your own way between stations and hotels. Days 3 to 5 in Lenno are entirely free to structure as you wish.
What hotels are included?
Hotel Helmhaus (4 star) in Zurich for 1 night, Hotel Albergo Lenno (4 star) in Lenno for 4 nights, and Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) in Montreux for 1 night. All rooms are doubles and include breakfast.
How much free time is there?
A free morning in Zurich on Day 2. Days 3, 4, and 5 in Lenno are completely free; Planet Rail suggests visiting Bellagio, Como and its Duomo, Villa Carlotta, Varenna, Monte Bre, Brunate, or Bergamo, but you choose the activities.
What is not included in the price?
Ferry or taxi from Como station to Lenno, entry to Château de Chillon, and trolley bus fare to Château de Chillon in Montreux.
When does this trip operate?
Planet Rail has not published specific departure dates in the information available. Contact the operator to check availability.

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