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One of Europe’s most spectacular rail journeys is quietly threading its way through deep gorges and stone villages between Switzerland and Italy, as the Centovalli Express links lakeside Locarno with Domodossola across a 52-kilometre ribbon of track that is increasingly drawing international travellers in search of slow, scenic rail adventures.
A Historic Alpine Route Recast as a Slow-Travel Icon
Running between Locarno in Switzerland’s Italian-speaking canton of Ticino and Domodossola in Italy’s Piedmont region, the Centovalli Express follows the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway, a narrow-gauge line that has connected the two countries for more than a century. The two-hour journey covers around 52 kilometres, crossing more than 80 bridges and plunging through over 30 tunnels as it navigates its way along the wild Centovalli, or “Hundred Valleys,” and the high meadows of the Vigezzo Valley.
In recent seasons the line has gained renewed international attention after being highlighted by major travel guides among Europe’s most scenic railway routes. Passengers ride in relatively compact trains that move at a measured pace, allowing ample time to absorb views of chestnut forests, waterfalls, stone-built hamlets and vertiginous ravines framed by the distant peaks of the Swiss-Italian Alps.
Border controls between Switzerland and Italy are handled on board, and the railway functions as both a local lifeline and a tourist showcase. Commuters, hikers and schoolchildren share the carriages with visitors to the region, reinforcing the sense that this is a living railway rather than a purely tourist-oriented attraction.
Despite its growing fame, the Centovalli Express remains relatively intimate compared with larger Alpine panoramics, something operators and regional tourism boards are keen to preserve even as they promote the line as a flagship slow-travel experience.
New Rolling Stock Elevates Comfort and Views
To keep pace with steadily rising demand, the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway has begun rolling out new, modern trainsets designed specifically for the route’s mix of local and leisure traffic. The latest units offer brighter interiors, larger windows and more spacious seating layouts, with capacity ranging from around 109 to 142 passengers per train. The design focuses on accessibility, including low-floor entrances and dedicated spaces for wheelchairs, as well as areas that can accommodate prams and strollers.
Onboard, multilingual audio information systems provide real-time updates and contextual commentary, detailing the history of the line and pointing out landmarks across both sides of the border. Digital displays show live journey data and connections, while climate control and improved suspension systems make the twisting mountain ride noticeably smoother in both summer heat and winter cold.
The new rolling stock is also geared toward active travellers. Each train can carry several bicycles, opening up one-way rail and return-by-bike excursions through the valleys. Future timetable upgrades announced by the operator include more frequent services on the Swiss side of the line from 2025, with hourly trains planned between Locarno, Intragna and Camedo, and denser services on the busiest segment in later years to help disperse crowds in peak seasons.
Railway officials say the investment is aimed at securing the long-term viability of the cross-border route while enhancing comfort for an increasingly international clientele, without losing the slower rhythm and intimacy that define the Centovalli experience.
Seasonal Highlights: Foliage, Festivals and Christmas Markets
While the Centovalli Express operates year-round, demand spikes in specific seasons as the landscape and nearby towns stage dramatic natural and cultural spectacles. In autumn, the line brands its most sought-after departures as the Foliage Train, running intensive services between October and mid November, when larch and beech forests on both sides of the border turn vivid shades of gold, copper and crimson.
Special round-trip foliage tickets typically cover the full route between Locarno and Domodossola, including one intermediate stop that allows passengers to disembark in villages such as Santa Maria Maggiore, Malesco or Re before rejoining later services. Tickets include seat reservations on designated panoramic departures, reflecting the strong interest from photographers and leaf-peepers travelling from across Europe.
Winter brings a different kind of appeal as the valleys transform under snow, and the train becomes a sustainable link between some of the region’s most atmospheric Christmas markets. Domodossola, at the Italian terminus, hosts large festive markets in December, while Santa Maria Maggiore’s historic streets fill with stalls selling local crafts, cheeses and cured meats. On the Swiss side, Locarno turns its Piazza Grande into a seasonal village with ice rinks, food chalets and light installations, easily reached by train from the mountain stations.
Tourism boards in both countries increasingly package the Centovalli Express with regional events, encouraging travellers to base themselves in Locarno or Domodossola and use the railway for day trips to markets, festivals and winter walking trails, rather than relying on cars to navigate the narrow valley roads.
Practical Travel Details for Planning the Journey
The Centovalli Express runs several times daily in both directions, with the full journey between Locarno and Domodossola taking just under two hours. Seats on standard regional services are generally unreserved, but advance booking is strongly advised for high-demand periods such as autumn foliage weekends and key December market dates, when special panoramic trains and event tickets include compulsory reservations.
Fares for dedicated experiences like the 2025 Foliage Train are set as inclusive round-trip bundles, priced in both euros and Swiss francs, reflecting the line’s binational character. Children under six usually travel free if they do not require their own seat, while discounted rates apply for older children and teenagers. Outside of special events, the route is integrated into the wider Swiss and Italian rail systems, allowing holders of certain regional and international passes to travel with minimal surcharges, although some panoramic supplements may still apply.
Travellers are advised to check current timetable information and any operational notices, particularly in summer when infrastructure works on adjacent main lines can affect connections to and from Domodossola. From the Swiss side, Locarno is well linked by frequent regional trains to Bellinzona and beyond, making the Centovalli Express easy to slot into longer itineraries through Ticino, the Bernese Oberland or central Switzerland.
Given the growing popularity of the route, railway staff and tourism officials recommend targeting midweek departures outside of major holidays for a quieter experience, especially for photographers or families hoping to sit together near windows without competing for space on the busiest trains.
Locarno and Domodossola: Gateways to Lakes and Valleys
At either end of the Centovalli Express, travellers find compact, walkable towns that serve as ideal bases for extended exploration. Locarno, located on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore, blends Mediterranean-style arcades and palm-lined promenades with Swiss efficiency. The town has recently been lauded in national rankings for its quality of life and cultural vibrancy, thanks in part to marquee events such as the Locarno Film Festival and open-air summer concerts on Piazza Grande.
From Locarno, visitors can connect boat services on Lake Maggiore with the Centovalli railway as part of day-long loop itineraries that combine lake cruising with the mountain railway, linking destinations such as Ascona, the Brissago Islands and the Borromean Gulf with high-altitude villages in a single journey.
On the Italian side, Domodossola has repositioned itself as a cultural gateway to the Ossola valleys, marketing its historic centre as the Borgo della Cultura. Cobbled streets radiate from Piazza Mercato, framed by arcaded buildings, artisan shops and cafes serving local specialties. The town is a departure point not only for the Centovalli Express but also for regional lines and bus routes that fan out toward high mountain passes and hiking areas.
Together, Locarno and Domodossola underscore the cross-border character of the Centovalli Express, offering contrasting yet complementary atmospheres at each end of the line. For travellers seeking a single, richly layered day trip or a longer Alpine stay, the route now stands out as one of the most compelling ways to traverse the Swiss-Italian frontier by rail.