Looking to see if anyone can help me understand what the process is to Pre-Purchase tickets to do the Centovalle Railway Loop on Lake Maggiore. We would like to do it on May 28th, 2026. We are staying in Stresa so looking at going from Stresa to Domodossola by train, Domodossola to Locarno by Centovalli, Locarno to Stresa by boat. I've been to numerious sites now so a bit confused on which one(s) is the correct one to use? If I am seeing things correctly, schedules are not yet available (?) and I think I read someplace that the boat from Locarno to Stresa may only run 4-times a week? Three things I read on the Centovalle Railway is to reserve your seat, purchase either the Panoramic or Panoramic Plus time, and getting a "tourist" ticket allows you to hop off and on if you want. Any experience with this?
Thanks for any light you can shed.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
17511 posts
Not published yet, and it doesn't run in winter.
However it is true that the boat from Locarno to Stresa runs only 4 times a week, on Wed, Thu, Sat, and Sun. and the only run in the afternoon is at 4pm. There is one in the morning (around 9 or 10) but that wouldn't work for you.
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
36434 posts
I've not done that circuit but I have done parts of it.
I had no concept of needing any advance tickets, certainly not more advance than a few minutes ahead. The train - train - boat is highly advertised in hotels and on tourist literature.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
17511 posts
You can also take the Centovalli train back to Domodossola in the afternoon, if the boat doesn’t run on the day you go.
Posted by
Wengen
3714 posts
There is no need to pre book anything. Those trains are mass transit, used by people to go about their daily business, and the ticket price is the same a year or a second before departure. And tickets are in principle unlimited.
Posted by
OP
Seattle
32 posts
Thank you so much, just so happens the day we have earmarked to do this is on a Thursday, so that would work perfectly. I'll keep an eye out for when the new schedule comes out sometime in March and make a decision then if we want to pre-purchase. Only reason is if we wanted reserved seats on the Centovalle. I read a couple reports that folks were able to get on but they had to stand?
I'm still investigating the difference between the "Centovalli Express", "Panoramic" and the "Panoramic Plus", which is there newer train. Looks like they charge more for the "Panoramic".
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32622 posts
Bob,
I've done the exact trip you described. I happened to mention to the hotel owner at breakfast that I was thinking of taking the trip, and he had the tickets for me within about half an hour. I'm not sure where he got them?
You may get some good information on this website - https://www.seat61.com/places-of-interest/centovalli-railway.htm .
This website shows sales points for tickets - https://www.lagomaggioreexpress.com/en/ .
Tickets for the Centovalli and boat do not include the trip from Stresa to Domodossola. Those are easily obtained at the station in Stresa, at a staffed ticket office or kiosk. One of the shortest trips for 28 May appears to be a departure at 08:37, arriving Domodossola at 09:04 (time 27M). That's a Trenord Regionale so no reservations necessary. If you buy the tickets locallly, don't forget to validate! There are earlier and later departures, and travel time is ~40M for those. One point to note is that the Centovalli FART station is underground in Domodossola, and also in Locarno.
You should be able to buy boat tickets at the Navigazione Laghi office in Stresa. As I recall, there's a small office close to the waterfront with a gelato shop close by. Ask the staff at your hotel where to buy the boat tickets. The boat makes many stops on the way back to Stresa at some scenic small towns.
Have you researched what you plan to tour in Locarno?
Posted by
OP
Seattle
32 posts
Thank you everyone for all the information. A lot of my confusion is definitely removed. @ Ken: have not done too much research on Locarno, was not sure how much time we would have there but thanks to the 4:00 sailing time Roberto provided, I see we should have time beyond just getting something to eat.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32622 posts
Bob,
If you take an early train from Stresa, you should have the better part of a day to spend in Locarno. Some of the sights I've enjoyed on my visits.....
- Cable car to Cardada / Cimetta - https://www.cardada.ch/en . There's a nice restaurant at the top next to the cable car station, and the views are great.
- I made a short visit to the historic Madonna del Sasso church, just up the hill from the city - https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ca/experiences/sacred-mount-madonna-del-sasso/ .
- There's a viewpoint a short walk from the restaurant that extends out from the mountain. Great place to get photos! - https://www.cardada.ch/en/cardada-cimetta/panoramic-viewpoints .
- You may find something else of interest on the Locarno tourist website - https://www.ascona-locarno.com/ .
You might want to take your Passports with you, since you'll be in a different country.