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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Lake Maggiore & Locarno by First Class Rail

Eight-day first-class rail loop from London to Turin via Swiss and Italian lakes

Illustration of Lake Maggiore & Locarno by First Class Rail

Planet Rail's Lake Maggiore and Locarno holiday is an independent eight-day rail journey from London to Turin across four countries in first-class comfort. You depart London St Pancras on the Eurostar, change to the TGV Lyria in Paris, and arrive in Montreux on the shore of Lake Geneva for two nights at the four-star Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic. On Day 3, you board the scenic narrow-gauge Centovalli Railway from Domodossola, crossing viaducts and bridges through a hundred valleys to reach Locarno on Lake Maggiore's northern shore. Four nights at the Hotel Belvedere give you days to explore Locarno's Swiss and Italian cultures, visit the UNESCO fortress in Bellinzona, or take a lake cruise to Stresa using your included Ticino Ticket for free regional transport. On Day 7, the regional service and Eurostar Italia carry you to Turin for an overnight stay at the five-star Grand Hotel Sitea. Day 8 returns you by TGV and Eurostar to London. This trip suits repeat rail travellers, couples, and independent explorers who want first-class comfort and the freedom to shape their own days.

What to know before you look closer

  • Most optional activities and sightseeing (lake cruises to Stresa, entry to Borromeo Palace, cogwheel trains) are payable locally; confirm costs before you travel.
  • Day 8 return transport from your Turin hotel to Porta Susa station is not included and must be arranged by taxi or public transport at your own cost.
  • The Ticino Ticket covers only the Locarno region during those four nights; travel elsewhere in Switzerland or Italy requires separate payment.
  • Planet Rail publishes no current departure dates in this pack; confirm availability and seasonal pricing with the operator before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Montreux (Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic)

    By rail to Switzerland

    Begin at the wonderfully restored London St Pancras station and board the Eurostar service, with a complimentary light meal and beverages in Standard Premier Class as you travel to Paris at speeds of nearly 300km/h. A private taxi transfer meets you at the Gare du Nord and takes you across central Paris to the connecting TGV Lyria service at the Gare de Lyon. Change trains at Lausanne for the next stage through Switzerland, alongside Lake Geneva, to the lakeside town of Montreux. The Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior), opposite the train station, is your hotel for the next two nights.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Montreux (Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic)

    Montreux and the surrounding area

    A full day in the cosmopolitan resort of Montreux, best explored on foot from your hotel along the lakeside promenade of cypresses, magnolias and palm trees. Options include a visit to the Château de Chillon, one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe, the cogwheel train up Rochers-de-Naye for panoramic views from 2,042m, the Golden Panoramic Express towards Interlaken, the mountain train to 'Glacier 3000' via Aigle and Les Diablerets, or a steamboat cruise on Lake Geneva.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Locarno (Hotel Belvedere)

    Montreux to Locarno via the Simplon Pass and the Centovalli Railway

    Some time to enjoy Montreux before returning to the station for the scenic rail journey along the Simplon Pass to Domodossola. Board the narrow gauge Centovalli Railway for an unforgettable journey across viaducts and bridges through a hundred valleys, arriving in Locarno on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore, Italy's second largest lake. Your hotel for the next 4 nights is the Hotel Belvedere (4 star superior).

  4. Day 4railovernight: Locarno (Hotel Belvedere)

    Lake Maggiore and Stresa (supplements apply)

    Head south by ferry (payable locally) to the Italian resort of Stresa. Visit Lake Maggiore's islands, including Isola Bella and the Borromeo Palace with its Italian gardens, on a lake cruise (payable locally), then rejoin the ferry back to Locarno. Alternatively, take the westbound Centovalli Railway journey to Stresa via Domodossola, or relax at the hotel's indoor and outdoor pools.

  5. Day 5overnight: Locarno (Hotel Belvedere)

    Locarno, Ascona, Bellinzona and Lugano with your Ticino Ticket

    Explore Locarno's mix of Swiss and Italian cultures, or the lakeside town of Ascona further along Lake Maggiore. Use your Ticino Ticket to travel free on public transport throughout the canton of Ticino, perhaps to Bellinzona to stroll the old town, visit the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, or the UNESCO World Heritage Fortress of Bellinzona.

  6. Day 6overnight: Locarno (Hotel Belvedere)

    Locarno, Ascona, Bellinzona and Lugano with your Ticino Ticket

    Make your way to Lugano with its sunny, Mediterranean feel: the historic city centre, the Piazza della Riforma, the surrounding mountains such as Monte Brè or Monte San Salvatore, or a Lake Lugano cruise to Gandria or Morcote. Visit the Hermann Hesse museum in nearby Montagnola, where the German-Swiss poet and writer created some of his most memorable works.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Turin (Grand Hotel Sitea)

    Lake Maggiore to Turin

    After breakfast, make your way to Locarno station and join the regional service to Milan, where you change onto the Eurostar Italia service directly to Turin. On arrival at Porta Nuova station, make your way to the Grand Hotel Sitea (5 star) for your overnight stay. Discover Turin, setting of the classic British film The Italian Job: the Mole Antonelliana, the Palatine Towers, Turin Cathedral, the Palazzo Reale, the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy, and the Botanical Gardens of Turin University. Choose from a wide selection of restaurants for dinner.

  8. Day 8rail

    Turin to London - Homeward bound

    After a leisurely breakfast, make your own way by taxi or public transport (payable locally) to Turin Porta Susa station to join the TGV for the first-class journey back to Paris, travelling north-west through the Alps past Mont Blanc. At the Gare de Lyon a taxi driver takes you across Paris to the Gare du Nord for the final Eurostar service, with a light meal and hot drink included, arriving back into London St Pancras International.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board the Eurostar from London St Pancras in Standard Premier Class at nearly 300km/h, then change to the TGV Lyria at Paris Gare de Lyon for the journey to Montreux.
  • Day 3Ride the narrow-gauge Centovalli Railway from Domodossola across viaducts and bridges through a hundred valleys to arrive in Locarno on Lake Maggiore.
  • Day 5Use your included Ticino Ticket to travel free on public transport to explore Bellinzona's old town and the UNESCO World Heritage Fortress.
  • Day 7Travel by Eurostar Italia from Milan to Turin, arriving at Porta Nuova station to overnight at the five-star Grand Hotel Sitea.

Included

  • First Class rail travel throughout
  • 2 nights in a double room at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) in Montreux
  • 4 nights in a comfort chic lake view room at the Hotel Belvedere (4 star superior) in Locarno
  • 1 night in a double room at the Grand Hotel Sitea (5 star) in Turin
  • Ticino Ticket for free public transport (buses and trains) throughout the canton of Ticino during the Locarno stay

Not included

  • Day 4 ferry and lake cruise to Stresa and the Borromean Islands (payable locally)
  • Entry to Isola Bella / Borromeo Palace (payable locally)
  • Taxi or public transport to Turin Porta Susa station on Day 8 (payable locally)

Questions travellers ask

Is all the rail travel included in the price?
Yes. Planet Rail includes first-class rail travel throughout the journey: Eurostar to Paris, TGV Lyria to Montreux, the Simplon Pass service, the Centovalli Railway, regional services to Milan, Eurostar Italia to Turin, and the return TGV and Eurostar to London.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is independent and tailor-made. Planet Rail arranges the rail tickets and hotels, but there is no tour guide. You choose your own activities each day, though optional extras like the cogwheel train to Rochers-de-Naye and lake cruises are available for additional cost.
Which trains am I travelling on?
Eurostar (London to Paris and return), TGV Lyria (Paris to Montreux), Simplon Pass rail service (Montreux to Domodossola), Centovalli Railway (Domodossola to Locarno), regional service (Locarno to Milan), Eurostar Italia (Milan to Turin), and TGV (Turin to Paris and return).
What hotels are included?
Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4-star superior) in Montreux for 2 nights, Hotel Belvedere (4-star superior) in Locarno for 4 nights with a lake-view room, and Grand Hotel Sitea (5-star) in Turin for 1 night.
What activities are included and what costs extra?
Included: the Ticino Ticket for free buses and trains around Locarno. Extra costs apply locally for the ferry and lake cruise to Stresa, entry to Isola Bella and Borromeo Palace, optional cogwheel trains, and your taxi or transport to Turin Porta Susa station on Day 8.
How much walking is there?
Days in Montreux, Locarno, and Turin involve walking the city centres and lakeside. Optional activities such as the cogwheel train to Rochers-de-Naye and mountain trains to Glacier 3000 are available for those who prefer them.

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