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Tailor Made Rail · Self-guided rail holiday

Sicily and the Amalfi Coast by Rail

12-day rail loop from London through Alps, Amalfi Coast, and Sicily

Illustration of Sicily and the Amalfi Coast by Rail

Tailor Made Rail's 12-day self-guided journey links London, the Alpine route, the Amalfi Coast, and Sicily entirely by train. You depart London on Eurostar, cross the Alps from Zurich to Milan on the Gotthard route, arrive at Vietri sul Mare for two nights of coastal exploration, then travel to Sicily via a train-and-boat connection across the Straits of Messina. Catania offers two full days to explore an ancient port city beneath Mount Etna, with access to Taormina and Syracuse nearby. Three nights in Palermo follow, with a free day to visit the seaside town of Cefalu. The return journey features a private sleeper compartment from Palermo to Milan overnight, crossing the Straits again and passing through Calabria and Lazio before arriving in Turin. This trip suits repeat rail travellers comfortable with independent navigation, food-and-wine enthusiasts drawn to Sicily's markets and restaurants, history lovers exploring Mediterranean cities, and explorers who want flexibility to set their own pace during full free days. All rail travel in standard class, 10 nights in hotels with breakfast, and seat reservations are included.

What to know before you look closer

  • The overnight sleeper from Palermo to Milan (Day 10) is in a private compartment with washbasin only; shower facilities are not mentioned in the evidence.
  • Hotels are listed as 'or similar', meaning your final accommodation may differ from the named properties depending on availability.
  • This is a self-guided tour with no escorted group component; you navigate stations and make connections independently.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich (Sorell Rütli Hotel or similar)

    London to Zurich

    Board a Eurostar service to Paris, then change onto a French TGV train from the Gare de Lyon. Arrive in Zurich this evening for an overnight stay.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Vietri sul Mare (Raito Hotel and Spa or similar)

    Zurich to the Amalfi Coast

    Train along the Gotthard route in the Alps to Milan, then change onto a fast Frecciarossa train down to Salerno, continuing on a regional service to Vietri sul Mare on the eastern Amalfi Coast.

  3. Day 3overnight: Vietri sul Mare (Raito Hotel and Spa or similar)

    Amalfi Coast

    Free day to explore the Vietri Sul Mare area, perhaps venturing as far west as Amalfi itself, or relaxing by the hotel pool.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Catania (Romano House Hotel or similar)

    Amalfi Coast to Sicily

    Mid-morning train from Salerno down the western coast of Italy, running onto a boat across the Straits of Messina and connecting with the Sicilian rail network to Catania.

  5. Day 5overnight: Catania (Romano House Hotel or similar)

    Catania, Sicily

    Full day to explore Catania on Sicily's eastern coastline, including the possibility to visit the nearby towns of Taormina and Syracuse.

  6. Day 6overnight: Catania (Romano House Hotel or similar)

    Catania, Sicily

    Second full day in Catania, an ancient port city dominated by Mount Etna, with a weekday fish market and seafood restaurants.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Palermo (Quintocanto Hotel or similar)

    Catania to Palermo

    Train through the interior of the island on a new Sicilian regional service to the port city of Palermo.

  8. Day 8overnight: Palermo (Quintocanto Hotel or similar)

    Palermo

    Full day to explore Sicily's vibrant capital, with world-class museums, architecture and gastronomy.

  9. Day 9overnight: Palermo (Quintocanto Hotel or similar)

    Palermo

    Second full day in Palermo, with the option to venture out to the seaside town of Cefalu and its 12th-century cathedral.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Overnight sleeper train

    Palermo and overnight to Turin

    Depart Palermo at lunchtime and settle into a private sleeper compartment for the overnight journey towards Milan, crossing the Straits of Messina again and passing through Calabria and Lazio.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Turin (Starhotels Majestic or similar)

    Arrive Turin

    Wake in northern Italy near Genoa and arrive into Milan mid-morning. Board a EuroCity train north to Turin, arriving mid-afternoon with time for a stroll around the city.

  12. Day 12rail

    Turin to London

    Make your way to Porta Susa station for a TGV service to Paris, then connect with a Eurostar from the Gare du Nord back to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: The Gotthard route train climbs through the Alps from Zurich to Milan, then the Frecciarossa descends to the Amalfi Coast at Vietri sul Mare.
  • Day 4Day 4: A regional train from Salerno runs onto a boat crossing the Straits of Messina, connecting Italy to Sicily and arriving in Catania.
  • Day 10Day 10: Board a private sleeper compartment at Palermo for the overnight journey back across the Straits of Messina and through Calabria and Lazio to Milan.

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • Overnight rail travel from Palermo to Milan in a private sleeper compartment with washbasin
  • 10 nights' hand-picked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included in the price?
Yes. Tailor Made Rail includes all rail journeys in standard class, seat reservations, and the overnight sleeper compartment from Palermo to Milan in the base price from GBP 1,599 (low season) or GBP 1,899 (high season). First-class upgrades are available for an extra GBP 300 per person.
Which trains are used on this trip?
The journey uses Eurostar (London-Paris), TGV (Paris-Zurich, Turin-Paris), a Gotthard route train (Zurich-Milan), Frecciarossa (Milan-Salerno), a Sicilian train-ferry service across the Straits of Messina to Catania, a Sicilian regional train (Catania-Palermo), an overnight sleeper (Palermo-Milan), an EuroCity train (Milan-Turin), and return Eurostar (Paris-London).
Is this an escorted or self-guided holiday?
This is a self-guided rail holiday. You receive easy-to-follow travel documentation and email delivery of all tickets, but you travel independently without a group leader or guide.
How many nights do I spend in hotels versus on the train?
You have 10 nights in hand-picked hotels (one in Zurich, two on the Amalfi Coast, three in Catania, three in Palermo, one in Turin) and one night on the overnight sleeper train from Palermo to Milan.
What is included in the price?
The price includes all rail journeys in standard class, seat reservations, the overnight sleeper compartment, 10 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast, travel documentation, and ticket despatch by email. Tailor Made Rail also offers proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions.
What is not included?
Meals beyond breakfast are not included, nor are optional extras such as first-class upgrades, extra nights in Positano or Paris, or any activities, sightseeing, or local transport at each destination.

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