Train travel between Zermatt and Lake Como

Rich, The route that I'd use from Zermatt to Bellagio, would be a train departing Zermatt at 07:39, with arrival at Milano Centrale at 11:35 (time 3H:56M, 1 change in Brig, reservations compulsory on one leg). From Milano Centrale, take the Regionale to Varenna-Esino (time 1H:03M). When you arrive in Varenna, either walk down the hill (about 15 minutes) or take a Taxi to the Ferry docks. They're located in front of Albergo Olivedo (large mustard-coloured building). The Ferry ride to Bellagio is about 20 minutes. For the trip from Bellagio to Zürich, travel in the reverse direction and take the train from Varenna to Milano Centrale. There appears to be a direct train (no changes) departing Milan at 11:10, arriving Zürich HBf at 14:51 (time 3H:41M, reservations compulsory). One additional point to mention. You could buy the tickets for your trip to Zurich when you arrive at Milano Centrale (usually a long queue at the ticket office or use the Kiosks). You could also buy them when you arrive in Varenna at the I Viaggi del Tivano travel agency below the station (you have to walk right past it on the way to the Ferry dock). I've always found that they provide great service. You may be aware of this, but when travelling on Regionale trains (ie: Milan to Varenna or reverse), ALWAYS BE SURE TO VALIDATE in the yellow machine prior to boarding the train (but only validate tickets on the day of travel). Reserved seating tickets (ie: Milan to Zürich) don't usually need to be validated (but I sometimes do anyway). Be sure to check the rail links on the bahn.de website prior to your trip, to make sure there are no changes. Happy travels!

If you can buy that ticket from Milano Centrale to Zurich well in advance ( like 2 months) on SBB (rail.ch) you may save 59 CHF per ticket. The Special Offer price is 23 CHF instead of 82 CHF. You have to picknthe tickets up in Switzerland,mat any railnstation. You can do that in Zermatt or elsewhere in Switzerland before you head to Italy.