centovalli-vigezzina railway

Tailanim

We took the train in March 2015 from Locarno to Domodosola and return. The view is nothing special. There is a lot of tunnels so a lot of in and out. The view is not special. If you can, take the mountain Funicolare and take a good look of the view from there. NO TO MENTION WE HAD TO TAKE THE RIDE BACK..... oghhhh.....The cities in the middle are boaring. nothing to see.If you have to do it to get to Domodosola, than do it, otherwise, find soething else to do.

Maryiajee

enjoyed a halfday trip during a rainfull day, was amazing toobserve the lushy greenery. Take your picnic on board and spend a great time in this romantic train.

pamelap300

This narrow gauge railway from Locarno to Domodossola, named after the so-called hundred valleys through which it passes was spectacular. Passing over viaducts, bridges and deep ravines, forests and tiny villages clinging to the mountain sides is great and well worth a visit.

TraceyT162

We did the journey from Locarno to Domodossola as an excursion as part of our coach tour. (We travelled to Locarno on the ferry from Stresa which was beautiful and well worth doing). Unfortunately the 2 hour train journey as the return part of the excursion was very disappointing. Mainly due to sitting on the right side of the train where all we could see was trees and mountain sides. If we had sat on the left hand side we may have got better views and therefore enjoyed the journey more, unfortunately for us it was a very long 2 hour journey, we would have rather returned on the ferry even if it would have taken 3 hours. MAKE SURE YOU SIT ON THE LEFT IF TRAVELLING FROM LOCARNO.

AvidKLTraveller

I was going to make a special trip on the railway as part of my stay in Locarno but thankfully a previous reviewer had pointed out that this trip could be done as part of travel to the Bernese Oberland region, which was exactly where I was heading to after Locarno. So, I saved CHF48 per person (train and boat package). The views on board are beautiful - and before you realise it, you cross over to Italy - there is no distinct border - just the Italian flag on the railway stations. However, having been to Bernese Oberland and the Jungfrau region where the views on the trains are just spectacular, I wouldn't make a special train journey on the Centovalli Railway. At Domodosolla, the train ends underground. To catch a connecting train to the Bernese Oberland, walk upfront until you reach stairs on your right. Go up the stairs or catch the connecting train.

arnoldj297

approx 2 hours to Locarno through valleys and peaks stopping off at lots of little stations en routethe scenery is magnificent there is a loo on the train but no refreshments so stock up before boarding

NannySquirrel

After seeing so many outstanding views on other railways I was disappointed. There were so many trees lining the tracks that it was very difficult to get any views at all and it was a long 2 hour journey.

Lorna-Joelle

The original route till the final station is long (2 hours) the views are magnificent although half way is enough. Ask for the tourist ticket it is cheaper than the regular one

EUReviewer

We had been looking forward to this trip for a long time and were not disappointed. It exceeded our expectations, offering some beautiful views of the Piedmont countryside and that of Ticino. In the same day we travelled from Domodossola to Locarno and back, as part of the SBB RailAway "Cardada/Cimetta" special offer (which also included the Madonna del Sasso funicular, the Cardada cable car and the Cimetta chairlift, as well as the journey from within Switzerland, which was fantastic value. The trains are of a high standard with large clear windows. We did not bother with the panoramic train, which cost a supplementary fare, as it didn't seem worth it to sit on a busy train with the same views. Definitely one of the best railway journeys around - highly recommended.

472marcd

When you take a one-day ticket for the round trip Locarno - Domodossola (by train) - Stresa (by train) - Locarno (by boat - with possibility of stops on various islands incl. Isola Bella) one may benefit of a reduced price for parking on the parking lot close to the station. It is not publicized anywhere. One has to go to the cafe bartender with his ticket and get from him a card that allows for a 10 Euro payment instead of 30 - 40 Euro.When arriving in Stresa by train, one has to go to the promenade along the lake. Then the embarcadero for the boat trip is on the right. Don't look for signs, there aren't any.

Randoman1

Starting underground the train travels beneath Locarno before busting into the sunshine and following the course of the river up into the mountains. It can be hard to appreciate the view in places as the track side trees have reached dense proportions. We only went as far as the border, a charming little village but at a slight distance from the station. Instead we sunbathed before going a short distance back down the line in order to take a trip up the mountain.We enjoyed our day and enjoyed the views.

FrancescaBelgirate

Even on a rainy day at Lago Maggiore this proved a great day out. Either start from Locarno in Switzerland to Domodossola or like us start in Domodossola and travel to Locarno, in both cases return to your starting point by boat on the lake.Mountain villages completely unseen by normal road, high peaks with refuges, waterfalls and sheer drops await on this railway trip.There is a very welcome Swiss food trolley with hot and cold drinks and various local biscuits.

Andrew764

Picturesque Swiss and Italian towns, snow capped mountains, waterfalls. This is an amazing train ride. This ride is must if you are going to Europe.

AnotherEngineer

We took this trip as part of the Lake Maggiore Express package. We first had to travel to Domodossola on an Italian train that some vandals had spray-painted so that we could not see out of the windows. It was, therefore, a breath of fresh air to get onto the Swiss Centovalli train. It was much larger than it appears on the advertising. I believe that this was a special train as an announcement said that there was a supplement but no-one asked for it.The enormous windows allowed full views of the spectacular scenery as we crossed from Italy into Switzerland and finished at Locarno.

briant438

first tip, if travelling from locarno to domodossola sit on the left side and of course if travelling form dom to locarno then sit on the right! the ride takes you through beautiful open countryside then on suspended track above spectacular gorges, we had lovely sunny weather which makes all the difference,at times seemingly suspended in mid air.A must when in the area.