How does Rest Less make money
We make money through advertising and commission from affiliate links, which enable us to offer Rest Less as a free service to our users. The content on this page may use affiliate links, which track traffic from our website to a third party provider and enable us to receive a commission or payment from any traffic we refer.
* Affiliate links on this page have an * next to them. We place enormous importance on our editorial independence and the integrity of our content which means that we will never change how we write about something as a result of an affiliate link.
From the magnificent glaciers and lakes of the Swiss Alps to the delights of Tuscany and the Italian Riviera, Italy and Switzerland are some of the most beautiful and diverse holiday destinations. Whether you’re after a sunny coastline, a cultural city, or snowy mountains, these countries offer something for everyone.
And, home to some of the most magnificent rail routes in the world, there’s no better way to experience the magic of Italy and Switzerland than aboard a scenic train.
To help inspire your next adventure, here are nine stunning train holidays in Italy and Switzerland.
You can also browse the full range of rail holidays available through our website using the button below. Our holiday itinerary helper can also help you plan your trip.
1. The Golden Pass
If you’re drawn to the towering mountains and pristine lakes of Switzerland, there’s no better way to explore these beautiful landscapes than aboard one of Europe’s newest and most high-tech trains.
Connecting the towns of Montreux, on the shoreline of Lake Geneva, and Interlaken, not far from the summit of Jungfrau, a ride on the Golden Pass Express is an experience like no other.
With floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the turquoise lakes, towering peaks, and vast meadows, you can sit back, relax, and take in your surroundings. You’ll cross three passes and eight lakes, including Lake Lucerne and Lake Geneva, where you can spend time exploring, too.
The medieval castle Château de Chillon that sits on the shores of Lake Geneva is Switzerland’s most-visited historic building, while the quiet town of Interlaken is perfect for souvenir shopping, and a cable car up Harder Kulm rewards with breathtaking views.
2. The Italian Riviera
The Italian Riviera is famed for its pastel-coloured houses that sparkle beside Mediterranean waters. Tourists are often drawn to the region’s mild climate, laid-back vibe, and unique blend of culture and natural beauty.
Here, you can travel through the cascading villages of Cinque Terre on the Cinque Terre Express, which connects all five iconic, colourful villages in minutes. In picture-perfect Portofino, which has long attracted the elite and famous, you access the stunning cove of San Fruttuoso, which is perfectly peaceful. A 10th-century Benedictine abbey dominates the cove, and an underwater statue, ‘Christ in the Abyss’, is said to protect local sailors.
For more exploration, you can reach the historic town of Sestri Levante in less than 30 minutes by train; get lost in the romantic Old Town, take a stroll down to its charming port, and dip in and out of independent boutiques, restaurants, and cafes on Via XXV Aprile, the area’s main street. Known as the ‘City of Two Seas’, Sestri Levante is perched beautifully between two bays – ideal for soaking up the sun and tranquil atmosphere.
3. Lake Iseo, Italy’s Secret Lake
Italy is known for its collection of beautiful lakes. And while Lake Garda and Lake Como may be better known, the unspoilt corner of Lake Iseo in northern Italy is just as stunning, and significantly less busy. Lombardy’s fourth-largest lake is dotted with medieval villages and has a world-class food and drink scene.
A journey on the vintage Treno dei Sapori (the ‘Train of Flavours’) will introduce you to the region’s finest tastes, as well as its spectacular scenery and wildlife. Just south of the lake, you can also indulge in a three-course dinner and wine tasting at a family-run Franciacorta winery, where you can learn more about the region’s history over delightful flavours.
When you’re not indulging in Lake Iseo’s exquisite cuisine, the region’s fantastic collection of towns and cities beckons. Take a walking tour of the medieval city of Bergamo, perched at the foothills of the Alps, or immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere of car-free Monte Isola, Europe’s tallest lake island. Here, you’ll find pathways lined with olive trees and houses adorned with bright bougainvillaea.
4. Classic Jungfrau Express & Swiss Alps
The Swiss Alps are famous for their otherworldly landscapes, boasting magnificent glaciers, cosy chalets, and serene lakes. And a journey aboard the Jungfrau Express is a fantastic way to get right to their beating heart.
Jungfrau is the highest railway in Europe. On board, you can soak up incredible panoramic views of the Alps, including the iconic Mönch, Eiger, and Jungfrau peaks. You can also access viewpoints such as Jungfraujoch, nicknamed the ‘Top of Europe’, where bright blue skies contrast beautifully with crisp white snow and rugged peaks that point towards the celestial Aletsch Glacier, a UNESCO-protected natural wonder.
When considering where to stay, the quaint village of Meiringen in the eastern part of the Jungfrau region makes an ideal base. Here, you can tour the Sherlock Holmes museum, opened in 1991, on the anniversary of his death; or visit the nearby Aare Gorge, a stunning 200m-deep limestone canyon. Other highlights include boat cruises on Lake Brienz, riding the Brienz Rothorn steam train, and taking a cable car ride to Schilthorn’s revolving restaurant (as seen in James Bond).
5. Tuscany
Riding the rails between some of Tuscany’s most beautiful spots is an unforgettable experience. And the spa town of Montecatini Terme, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ideal base for exploring this magical region.
Said to have healing water, a trip to the town’s 18th-century drinking spa is a must. From here, you can reach Florence by train in under an hour and spend days exploring magnificent architecture – such as the Santa Maria del Fiore, one of the world’s largest churches – and discovering iconic art; head to the Uffizi Gallery to admire works by Botticelli and Da Vinci.
Then there’s Lucca – a peaceful, pedestrian-friendly city renowned for its fully intact Renaissance walls used as a promenade – and Pisa, famous for its iconic leaning tower, both of which are less than two hours away by train.
A final rail journey from either Lucca or Pisa will take you to Siena, Tuscany’s second-largest city, home to a stunning cathedral, the alluring church of San Domenico, and the magnificent Piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval squares.
6. The Glacier Express
When it comes to the Swiss Alps, you’d be hard-pushed to find a more iconic mode of transport than the bright red Glacier Express. With an average of 24mph, the Glacier Express is the ‘slowest express train’, stopping at several sought-after sites. And, the train’s large panoramic windows are designed to help you experience the best of it.
Peer out from the 65-metre high Landwasser Viaduct; breathe in the drama of the Rhine Gorge, the ‘Swiss Grand Canyon’; and explore Brig, one of the route’s largest and oldest towns. The historic town of Brig, where green valleys and mountain vineyards begin to descend into the ice of the High Alps, is a fantastic base for hiking around the Aletsch Glacier, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Glacier Express runs between Zermatt and St. Moritz – both of which are also great places to stay – with key regular stops at Brig, Andermatt, Chur, Filisur, and Samedan.
In traditional, car-free Zermatt, you can enjoy incredible views of mighty Matterhorn Mountain, explore stunning skiing and hiking routes, and wander peaceful streets lined with upscale boutiques, restaurants, and hotels. Meanwhile, the world-renowned alpine resort of St. Moritz is popular for its luxurious, glitzy feel, fantastic skiing terrain, and year-round sunshine.
7. The Lago Maggiore Express
The Lago Maggiore Express offers an unforgettable full-day journey by train and boat, looping through Italy and Switzerland via Lake Maggiore, the Vigezzo Valley, and the Centovalli Mountains. Running from April to October, the excursion offers two route options that can be travelled in either direction – we’ll look at one of them here.
Starting from Arona, a charming lakeside town at Lake Maggiore’s southern tip, you’ll cruise north across the lake by ferry, passing the magical Borromean Islands with their Baroque palaces and terraced gardens, before reaching Stresa. This elegant resort town has drawn visitors since the Belle Époque era – grand hotels line the waterside promenade, with the Alps rising dramatically behind. Mountain trails reward hikers with sweeping views over the deep blue lake.
The boat continues across the Swiss border to Locarno, a sun-soaked resort town in Switzerland’s Italian-speaking Ticino region. Blessed with Switzerland’s warmest climate, Locarno offers a Mediterranean-style lakeside promenade and a Grand Piazza lined with cafes.
Just a short distance away, the neighbouring village of Ascona charms with narrow, colourful streets in its Old Town, while boat tours depart for Brissago Island’s botanical gardens.
From Locarno, you’ll board the narrow-gauge Vigezzina-Centovalli railway for a scenic mountain journey back to Italy. The train winds through the untouched landscapes and breathtaking gorges of the Centovalli Valley before descending through the Vigezzo Valley to Domodossola, a historic market town in Piedmont, completing the loop.
8. Puglia
If you’re looking for a cultural break that offers both adventure and relaxation, exploring Puglia by train could be for you. Balancing culture with natural beauty, a Puglia train tour offers everything from rolling olive groves and sunny coastlines to beautiful villages and impressive city architecture.
In Lecce, you can explore the city’s famous Baroque architecture and traditional cuisine, before using local trains to travel north into the beautiful Itria Valley and its hilltop town of Locorotondo. Here, charming, whitewashed alleyways are dotted with small artisanal shops, cafes, and restaurants, and traditional trulli (circular houses topped with conical slate roofs). Itria Valley’s unique town of Alberobello, home to over 1,600 drystone trulli, is also worth a visit.
To venture further north, local trains will transport you to the beautiful coastal city of Trani, where a magnificent castle, extensive gardens, and bustling harbour await. If you manage to drag yourself away from Trani’s relaxed vibe, the local towns of Barletta (north) and Molfetta (south) are also just a 15-20 minute train ride away.
9. The Mont Blanc Express
If you’re drawn to the picture-perfect mountain towns of the Alps, a journey on the Mont Blanc Express could be for you. Connecting the small Swiss town of Martigny with the French resort town of Chamonix, the Mont Blanc Express traverses some of Europe’s most fantastic mountain scenery.
History buffs can enjoy Martigny’s collection of museums and Roman ruins before exploring the town’s highly regarded culinary scene. Meanwhile, Chamonix offers a unique blend of alpine charm and cosmopolitan flair, featuring bustling streets and exceptional outdoor activities. Home to Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest peak, Chamonix’s mountain views are unrivalled. You can catch the historic Montenvers Railway towards Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice) glacier, France’s largest glacier.
Along the way, the Mont Blanc Express offers dramatic, slow-paced views of gorges, waterfalls, and alpine peaks. Journey through the Trient Gorge, a 200-metre deep narrow fissure carved into crystalline rock; explore one of the highest alpine zoos in Europe; and peer out at the beauty of the Rhone Valley, a prestigious wine-producing region.
Final thoughts…
From the coastal paradise of Puglia to the stunning landscapes seen aboard the Glacier Express, Italy and Switzerland are home to several beautiful train routes.
For more inspiration, head over to our travel section, or use the button below to browse our many rail travel deals.
What are your travel plans for this year? Have any of the tours on this list sparked your interest? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Read our full commenting terms and guidelines