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Cross-border route · Europe
Zurique–Milão via the Gotardo
By train from Suíça to Itália across the Alpes: from Zurique to Milão via the túnel de base do Gotardo, with Lucerna, lago de Como and, for those with time, the old panoramic mountain line.
Switzerland
Italy
4 cities 2 countries
In the photo: Igreja de São Galo, Wassen
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The route
What is Zurique–Milão via the Gotardo
EuroCity trains of the ferrovias suíças (SBB) and Trenitalia link Zurique to Milão in about 3 hours 20 minutes, with no change. The train departs from Zürich HB, goes under the Alpes through the túnel de base do Gotardo, 57 km long, and through the túnel do Ceneri, stops in Lugano in Italian Suíça, crosses the border at Chiasso, stops in Como and arrives at Milano Centrale.
There are two ways to cross the mountain. The fast one is the túnel de base, almost entirely flat, used by the EuroCity trains. The other is the old panoramic line, which climbs the Reuss valley in curves and spirals, passes the church of Wassen seen from several angles and crosses the massif via the túnel de cume, higher up. The Treno Gottardo runs on this route year-round, and from April to October the Gotthard Panorama Express operates, combining a boat on the lago dos Quatro Cantões from Lucerna to Flüelen and a panoramic train to Lugano or Bellinzona.
Suíça and Itália are in the Schengen area, but Suíça is not part of the European Union: there is no routine passport control, but customs checks may occur on the train near Chiasso, and the currency changes from franco suíço to euro. The most common approach is to split the trip: two days in Zurique, one or two in Lucerna, a crossing of the mountain, a stop in Lugano or Como and the end in Milão.
The map
4 cities in 2 countries
Outlines: Natural Earth, public domain. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
The journey
City by city
Distances and times are approximate: check before you set out.
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1 · Switzerland
Zurique
The route begins at Zürich HB, in the centre, a short walk from Bahnhofstrasse and the old town on the banks of the Limmat and the lake. From the station EuroCity trains depart for Milão and the Treno Gottardo to the Ticino via the panoramic line.
→ Lucerna cerca de 45 min Trens das ferrovias suíças, várias vezes por hora; o Treno Gottardo também liga as duas cidades.
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2 · Switzerland
Lucerna
Lucerna is about 45 minutes from Zurique and is not on the EuroCity line, but it is the start of the panoramic crossing: the Gotthard Panorama Express boat leaves from the quay in front of the station, and the Treno Gottardo stops there. In the town, the Ponte da Capela, the Monumento ao Leão and the mounts Pilatus and Rigi.
→ Como de cerca de 2h30 a mais de 5h Pelo túnel de base, trem até Lugano e EuroCity ou trem regional até Como. Pela linha panorâmica, Treno Gottardo até Bellinzona, ou o Gotthard Panorama Express (barco até Flüelen e trem até Lugano), e depois trem até Como.
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3 · Italy
Como
Como San Giovanni station is the first stop in Itália, a few minutes after Chiasso. Before that, still in Suíça, the train stops in Lugano, the town on lago de Lugano with a centre of arcaded streets and the monte San Salvatore. In Como: the catedral, the funicular to Brunate and the boats to Bellagio and the lakeside villas.
→ Milão cerca de 40 min EuroCity até Milano Centrale; também trens regionais, mais lentos.
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4 · Italy
Milão
The end of the line is Milano Centrale, connected to the metro. Milão deserves at least two days: the catedral (Duomo) and its roof terrace, the Galeria Vittorio Emanuele II, La Scala, the Castelo Sforzesco and A Última Ceia de Leonardo da Vinci (buy in advance on the official website).
How to travel
The way and the tickets
By train. The EuroCity has reserved seating included in the international ticket and there is no check-in: just arrive at the station, find the train on the departures board and board. Within Suíça, trains of the ferrovias suíças and the Treno Gottardo do not require reservations; the Gotthard Panorama Express requires a reservation.
Best time to go
When to go: month by month
From May to September: long days, lakes with seasonal boat services and more chance of clear skies in the mountains. The Gotthard Panorama Express runs from April to October. In winter the EuroCity runs normally, and the old line passes through snowy scenery.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Planning
Planning the trip
How many days
The EuroCity covers the entire route in about 3 hours 20 minutes; via the panoramic line the crossing takes much longer. To visit Zurique, Lucerna, lago de Como and Milão, allow 7 to 10 days; with 5 days, stay in Zurique, Lucerna and Milão.
Who it is for
For those who want to travel from Suíça to Itália without flying, for fans of trains and mountain scenery, and for couples and families who want to combine lakes, the Alpes and a big city in a single trip.
Your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Zurique–Milão via the Gotardo
Quanto tempo leva o trem de Zurique a Milão?
Cerca de 3 horas e 20 minutos no EuroCity direto, de Zürich HB a Milano Centrale, pelo túnel de base do Gotardo. Até Lugano são cerca de 2 horas.
Qual é a diferença entre o túnel de base e a linha panorâmica?
O túnel de base é a passagem rápida, quase plana, por baixo da montanha: é por onde vão os EuroCity. A linha panorâmica é a antiga, que sobe o vale em curvas e espirais e atravessa a montanha mais alto, com vista dos Alpes. Por ela passam o Treno Gottardo, o ano todo, e o Gotthard Panorama Express, de abril a outubro.
Precisa reservar lugar?
No EuroCity entre a Suíça e a Itália, o lugar marcado já vem com a passagem. Nos trens dentro da Suíça e no Treno Gottardo, não é preciso reservar. O Gotthard Panorama Express exige reserva e, no trem panorâmico, costuma ter só 1ª classe.
Posso descer em Lucerna, Lugano ou Como e seguir viagem depois?
Sim, com passagens separadas para cada trecho. É a forma mais comum de fazer a rota, com um ou dois dias em cada lugar.
Vale usar o passe Eurail ou o Swiss Travel Pass?
O passe Eurail vale nesses trens, mas no EuroCity a reserva é obrigatória e paga à parte. O Swiss Travel Pass vale nos trens e barcos dentro da Suíça, inclusive no Treno Gottardo, mas não no trecho italiano. Confira as condições no site das ferrovias suíças.