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Train question for May 17

Hi everyone, I have been reading the Forums for years but this is my first time posting! I wondered if there was any advice anyone can offer about train travel from Milan to Montreux on May 17th.

We are doing a split stay starting in Varenna in Lake Como and then a week in Switzerland with our first stop being Montreux.

It seems like many of the non direct and pretty much all of the direct routes are not currently available on Trenitalia or not available for purchase on SBB on May 17th. I was aware of the service change due to the derailment on the Gotthard line but this specific set “lack of availability” looks to be specific to the week starting on May 17th.

My question is whether this is an anticipatory hold on these days to confirm the schedule due to work on some part of the line (which is what I think I have discovered from SBB although the dates don’t exactly match). Which, might mean that direct trains might be available closer to the date? Or, if this means what we see is what there will likely be, which is fine, but we’d need to adjust our plans a bit to allow for a somewhat later arrival into Montreux…..since the only options seem to be later in the evening.

Anyway, thanks so much for any insight! And, I have benefited from reading comments and questions from others so thank you for that too.

Posted by
2492 posts

It is just to early. Trains on that route indeed often only become available for booking relatively late, because there are lots of schedule changes due to engineering etc...
Look again late April or so.

Posted by
10 posts

Thanks! I was a bit concerned because the trains past May 25 are all there and available for booking. However, happy to just monitor if you think there will be an update closer to the date. It looks like it is May 17-May24 that is currently affected. Thanks again.

Posted by
21140 posts

Note on SBB site:

Limitted train service between Milano Centrale and Domodossola (I) are subject to restrictions.
This is due to construction work.
The restriction lasts from 15.05.2024 to 24.05.2024.
You have to expect changed timetables.
We recommend you to check your timetable online shortly before travelling.
The online timetable will be updated.
Purchasing international tickets or saver tickets and making reservations is currently not possible.

Posted by
17417 posts

Which route are you looking at?

If I look at Milan to Montreux via Brig (the shorter route) on 17 May, on SBB.ch, this message appears:

Limitted train service between Milano Centrale and Domodossola (I) are subject to restrictions.
This is due to construction work.
The restriction lasts from 02.04.2024 to 30.04.2024.
The restriction lasts from 15.05.2024 to 24.05.2024.
You have to expect changed timetables.
We recommend you to check your timetable online shortly before travelling.
The online timetable will be updated.
Purchasing international tickets or saver tickets and making reservations is currently not possible

And if you want to go the longer route via Luzern and the Golden Pass trains, you will see this:

The timetable for Ascension and Pentecost (08.05. - 12.05.2024 and 17.05. - 20.05.2024) has not yet been updated and will be adjusted at a later date.

All Information, connections and adherence to the timetable are given without guarantee. Please check for possible changes shortly before departure.

So for either route, you will need to wait a bit to see the final schedule and trains to book.

Edit: posting at the same time as Sam!!!

Posted by
10 posts

Thanks so much. At this point, we are looking at both routes! There is a single direct train Milan to Montreux that is currently bookable but it gets in after 10 pm so will hold tight and see what happens. I would hate to miss any scenery by travelling in the dark!