What to expect with a Regional train

I looked up the routing for seven regional trains from Milan to Domodossola on the Trenitalia website. All originate in Milan, so if you get to the station when the train is brought to the platform, you usually should not have trouble finding seats together.

Donna, Lee makes a good point-the traii originates in Milan so if you board as soon as they pull it into the platform you should have no trouble finding seats together. Otherwise, you might indeed find it crowded. At least our experience with regional trains (la Spezia to Manarola and Vernazza to Milan) was thet they can be very crowded at mid-day in high season. On the first we had to stand in the entryway with about 15 other people, on the second we had to move someone's luggage off the seats so we could sit (she refused to move her luggage and told us to sit elsewhere but there were no other seats in that car!) But given your concerns, have you looked at going the other route, via Luzern? You should be able to get a Smart Fare of 19 euros from Milan to Arth-Goldau, and use your Half-Fare Card from there. Depart Milan at 15:10, arrive A-G at 18:09. You only have 5 minutes to change to the train to Luzern, so if you don't have time to buy tickets before boarding find the conductor right away and explain so you don't get charged extra for the tickets. Just buy as far as Luzern, as you'll have 14 minutes there and can buy the rest of the way from a machine or at a window. You'll get to Lauterbrunnen at 21:22. You'll need to purchase your Half-Fare Cards ahead of time.

Regional trains are fine. They are just usually smaller and they stop more frequently. Whether or not you have trouble finding 4 seats together very much depends on the day and time and where the train originates and ends. Odds are you will find seats in the same carriage. I haven't had to stand yet on a regional train. I wouldn't worry about pickpockets on the train. They are more likely to be hanging out near tourist sites as opposed to on a regional train. Secure your belongings as you would on any train. Usually the regional trains have luggage racks above the seats. If it were me, I'd take a regional train to avoid a 3 hour layover.

It all depend on time you are travelling, day of the week etc. Regional trains don't have guaranteed seating. If you are taking a train near peak time, you can find yourself in a trains as packed as a subway, wrestling luggage around. This route is a commuter route of of Milano, gets busy on late afternoons.

Thanks for the replies :) Not really sure what we will do....taking everything into consideration. I don't really want to take the regional train, but I suppose it might be ok since it originates in Milan. We will be travelling on a Friday around 15:20 - probably the busiest time! Thanks Lola about the Arth-goldau idea - I like it, but again concerned about the 5 minute transfer time - is this a small and easy to manage train station? If I miss it, we will have to wait a full hour. It does sound like a nice option except for that one detail.... Thanks all for being so patient with me....my husband thinks I'm crazy for stressing over all this, but I really want it to go smoothly and I am a controlaholic :)
Donna

I think I agree with your husband. Part of the problem is that American tourist have no experience with train travel so use our airlines as an example. Which is horrible. We have ridden dozens of regional trains with never a problem. Have had to stand a couple of times until a seat became available. But they will because people are getting on and off all the time. In 18 plus years of European travel we have never had any problem with our luggage. We do take the precaution of using a cable lock to secure our bags to each other or to something more solid. If we put a bag on the overhead will rap a strap around the rib of the rack. There are stories about luggage being taken and I am sure it has happened but we have never seen it and don't know anyone has had a problem either. The problem is rare, not frequent. However, if control is a big issue for you, be prepared for some frustrations. It is Italy and not everything goes according to plan. So what if you miss a train? Just get on the next one. Regional trains are far easier to ride since you just get on and go. If you had a reserved seat and missed the train you have go through the hassle of getting a new reservation. With a regional train be absolutely certain that you VALIDATE YOUR TICKET in the little yellow box at the beginning of your trip. Once you have been on two trains you will be fine.

Donna, I wouldn't have any concerns with travel on the Regionale trains. BE SURE to validate your tickets prior to boarding! I've travelled that route, and it's quite pleasant, and I've never found it that crowded (of course that could vary at times). Some EuroCity trains are used on that route, and those require compulsory reservations. The shortest travel time is 1H:18M with the EC train, and the Regionales take considerably longer (2H:48M - 3H:01M). The luggage won't be "problematic" but of course there are no Porters so you'll have to haul your kit (whatever it weighs) on and off the trains. Any luggage the size of a small SUV will have to be placed in the racks at the end of the car. Be sure to watch this closely, as bags can "disappear" (I've seen that happen in Italy, Germany and Switzerland). Smaller items can be taken either into your compartment or to your seat (depending on the configuration of the train). There are usually racks over the seats. I'd suggest being vigilant regarding Pickpockets regardless of whether you're on the train or not, but don't worry about it too much. I've seen examples of people who "let their guard down" and were robbed (which in one case in the C.T. involved the loss of a Passport). I'll likely be travelling that route again in the fall, from the C.T. to Lauterbrunnen, and I'll be curious to see if it's much the same as I remember. Cheers!