Train From Cinque Terre to Domodossola

Where are you looking at schedules? I do not see a 7:15 departure from Corniglia on Trenitalia.

You can avoid that change at Genoa if you take the 7:19 train from Corniglia (Regionale 12216) and get off at Levanto, 12 minutes later. Wait for the IC 662 train which stops at Levanto at 7:57 and goes all the way to Milano Centrale with no further changes. The IC trains have reserved seating and first class carriages if you want.

You will arrive at Milano Centrale at 10:55 and can continue to Domodossola at 11:15 on a train that avoids the bus link in place from Arona to Domodossola.

I am thinking that Domodossola is not your final destination, correct? Probably someplace in Switzerland, and you want to take advantage of the pass coverage that starts at Domodossola? If so, depending on your final destination in Switzerland, you might consider taking the other route, via the Gotthard route. Pass coverage will kick in at Chiasso on the Italian-Swiss border, and if Luzern is your destination there are a few trains that cover that with no changes, others with a single change at Lugano or Arth-Goldau. If Interlaken is your destination there may be one additional change.

I LOVE the suggestion on the trains from Cinque Terre through Levanto and onward to Milano then Domodossola. I noticed the bus option and DO NOT want that, so thank you for reminding me. I will look into reserving soon. We are stopping in Domodossola for a couple days to decompress from Cinque Terre before we head to Murren. We plan to use the Berner Oberland Pass from Domodossola through the Jungfrau Region where we stay for 6 days. I will buy a Swiss 1/2 Fare Card online then the Berner Oberland at a discount. When we leave Domodossola, we want to get to Kandersteg and see/hike Lake Oeschinensee before we head to Murren. Thank you again for your EXPERT advice!!

When I go to the Trenitalia site, and put in Cinque Terre to Domodossola, I see the 7:14 route, but it takes me to Genoa where I change. I love changing at a smaller station but would I have to book separate tickets, Corniglia to Levanto, then Levanto to Domodossola? Or, can I just change trains on that day without penalties and purchase a ticket from Corniglia to Domodossola through Genoa as Trenitalia shows?

First of all the 14 minute change in Genoa is not a big issue. Railways do not propose you impossible changes. I would expect you to be able to make the change in just a few minutes.
But changing to the IC at an earlier station does have the advantage of a more comfortable ride. So do book from Levanto, and buy a separate ticket from Corniglia. When you book combinations of regional and IC trains you get separate tickets anyway.

Note that the "all train" solution to Domodossola is via Novarra. That is the line that passes lake Orta. That might be a nicer place to break your journey than Domodossola.

If you want to take the IC train from Levanto, you will have to buy a ticket from Levanto to Domodossola, and a separate ticket from Corniglia to Levanto. The IC has required reserved seats, so you need to buy a ticket from Levanto. You cannot just switch on your own.

Trenitalia is not as flexible in their website as others, like DB or SBB, where you can tailor your connections as you like and get a price and ticket.

hank you Wengen. I will purchase separate tickets for the Corniglia to Levanto, then go from Levanto to Domodossolo. I like your idea of changing trains at the smaller station. On the Domodossolo vs Lake Orta suggestion, it is something we will look at, I knew nothing about Lake Orta, so it is a nice surprise!!