We will be traveling from Milano Central to Locarno in early May and are considering taking the longer (and more scenic) route through Domodossola via the Vigenizza Centovalli railway. I am having some difficulty determining how to book tickets and/or seat reservations and wondered if anyone here could shed some light on the process. Tickets are only available through mid-March at the moment, but I can't find any info on when tickets for after that date will be made available for booking.
Posted by
Green Bay
21749 posts
Website says "in the coming weeks".
Posted by
OP
SoCal
95 posts
Yeah, I saw that, and looking at earlier dates did not help since the route is being repaired through mid March, so buses will replace the train until the work is finished.
Posted by
OP
SoCal
95 posts
FYI, I have also see a few tour operators that offer a loop trip that starts and ends in Stresa, taking a train to Domodossola, then the Centovalli railway to Locarno, returning to Stresa by ferry. That sounds like a nice day out, so I am looking into the timetables to see if this is possible using Locarno as the start/end of the loop.
Posted by
Wengen
2733 posts
The Centovalli does not require advance purchase or reservations. Just go to Domodossola, and board the train there. Regional trains from Milano to Domodossola do not require advance purchase either.
So you can just wait till you are here...
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34620 posts
that circuit needs no guide. I forget the marketing name of that triangle but it needs no reservations. It is highly marketed in the area, your hotel probably has brochures. It is easily customised... It works well...
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32419 posts
I've travelled on the Centovalli Railway a few times, and did the loop trip that you mentioned. On the first trip, I happened to mention it to the hotel owner in Stresa where I was staying, and he had the tickets for me in an hour.
As others have mentioned, you can buy tickets at the station in Domodossola or even on board the train. I believe it's also covered by the Swiss Travel Pass. Note that the Centovalli station is "downstairs" from the main station as is the station in Locarno. It's a beautiful trip!
Posted by
OP
SoCal
95 posts
Thanks for the feedback. Neither of the final timetables (Lake Maggiore ferry or Centovalli train) are available at the moment, and since advance reservations appear to not be necessary, we can make an "executive" decision on this closer to our departure day.