Planning trip to lake maggiore, want to know if their is a train station near stresa to take the scenic ride to locarno for a day trip.
thanks
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
There is a train station in the middle of Stresa. This is on the main line from Milan to Switzerland via the Simplon tunnel.
To get to Locarno by train, Take a train to Domodossola, then change on to the Centovalli railway to get to Locarno. The Centovalli railway is a scenic route.
You can also take a ferry from Stresa to Locarno, so you could make a round trip, train one way and boat the other.
Swiss Franks are the currency in Locarno, but many shops and restaurants will take Euros, but not at the best exchange rate.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
princess,
My comments would be the same as Chris provided. I've made the trip on the Cento Valli Railway a couple of times, and it's a beautiful trip. When you arrive in Domodosssola, note that the station for the Cento Valli is underground so don't look for the train on the usual platforms. I can't remember, but the signs may indicate the FART station, and that's where the train will be departing. Many people get a chuckle out of the name, but that's what the railway network is called (the full name is Ferrovie Autolinee Regionali Ticinesi). The station in Locarno is also underground, and right beside the main station.
If you want lunch after arrival in Locarno, as I recall there's a Manor Ristorante right across from the station. It's a cafeteria style with cook-to-order food and I've always enjoyed stopping there. You could also go down to Piazza Grande, as there are LOTS of restaurants along there.
Going one way by train and then returning by boat in the early evening provides a nice contrast, as the boats stop at many of the small towns along the lake.