Day Trips from Milan recommendations

[Iskra]

Next January I’ll be having a week in Milan and I’m looking for some recommendations of rail day trips from there please. We’ll be staying near Milano Centrale although we can use other stations if necessary.

So far we have planned:

- Bernina Express
- A day trip to Turin as we’ve never explored that city. I’ve done the classic line between the two cities on a TGV so I’ll probably try do it on a Freccia service for something different.

Beyond the above, are there any trips from Milan anyone would recommend? We’ve done all the major cities in Northern Italy now apart from Turin and Genoa, so ideally looking for something different. Are there any loco hauled services that go anywhere interesting from Milan, perhaps Trenord ones? Would Como be worth a trip in January or is that better done in times of better weather? We’ve done Garda and Maggiore.

Thanks in advance.

 

[StephenHunter]

Lake Iseo is very nice, although check the ferry timings as they're less frequent in winter.

 

[Iskra]

Lake Iseo is very nice, although check the ferry timings as they're less frequent in winter.

A good looking option. I could head up to Edolo and then do the lake on the way back

 

[eastwestdivide]

Domodossola - Centovalli - Locarno circuit maybe? Longish day but possible. You'd need to have a reliable weather forecast!

 

[nwales58]

Beyond the above, are there any trips from Milan anyone would recommend? We’ve done all the major cities in Northern Italy now apart from Turin and Genoa, so ideally looking for something different.

Depending where 'major cities' end, I would go onto to smaller places. E.g. Bergamo is pleasant, light rail runs about 15km up a valley. A bit further afield, Parma (churches, trolleybuses, food ...), Mantova (massive palace, was unbelievably wealthy once) and so on.

Or just set out towards an interesting looking town, linger or if boring carry on to another.

Travelling within Lombardy the day regional ticket covers bus, tram, metro, regional trains, some funiculars and the boats on Lago d'Iseo. 1 day Eur 17.50, 2 days 29, 3 days 35, 7 days 46.50. Recent thread where @rvdborgt found the validity map:

io viaggio ovunque in Lombardia

Con l’abbonamento integrato Io viaggio ti muovi su tutti i mezzi pubblici della Lombardia a un prezzo vantaggioso.

www.regione.lombardia.it

 

[D6130]

Pavia: Historic city on the River Po about half-an-hour South of Milano. Time it right and there are a few Inter-Cities pushed or pulled by single cab class E401 locos. (Lombardy day pass not valid, but Trenitalia tickets are very cheap).

Cremona: Despite it's industrial surroundings, the historic centre is very pleasant and interesting. You could also visit the nearby small city of Crema, which is very pleasant and sees few tourists.

Bologna: for architecture and gastronomy....and it's bustling major railway junction.

Genova: for it's bustling old port city atmosphere and fascinating funiculars connecting with the affluent suburbs on the hills above.

Bear in mind that the weather in Northern Italy - especially the Po Valley - can often be pretty miserable in January. Expect cold, damp conditions - often with freezing fog - and then if you get an unexpected sunny day, it will be a pleasant surprise.

If you want to impress Ms Iskra, take her for dinner on the historic restaurant tram around the city centre in Milano.

 

[nwales58]

Crema reminded me that Lodi is worth a stop too. Which is why I like wandering around a few places that look on a map to have an old centre then catch the next train if uninteresting or lingering longer. Most regionals are hourly, though always check to avoid getting stranded because morning gaps of up to 4 hours in an otherwise regular service happen in Italy.

Final point: check for strikes which are usually known 2-4 weeks in advance. The national ministry runs a spreadsheet:

Scioperi - mit2

scioperi.mit.gov.it

If 24 hours or longer at least a minimum service runs. 4 hour local transport strikes seem to be total.

 

[JB_B]

Nothing I can really add to the above. Turin and Genoa you're already doing and are a must ( Genova might not quite be "La Superba" these days but a trip down La Strada Nuova with the palazzi stretching up the hill will give you an idea.) Certainly you can't miss Bologna if you've never been.

The point made up-thread about checking the weather is right - we did the Centovalli line in 2023 and only saw different shades of fog. ( Although the people at S. Maria Maggiore where our train finally conked out were very friendly.)

I'd add a +1 for Bergamo - fewer tourists and a bit of fog would be great up in the old town.

Otherwise suggest for a short trip maybe Brescia (which looks very unpromising to start off with from the station but gets better when you reach the twin cathedrals.)

 

[alex397]

I was in Milano in August. I had a day trip to Lugano, Switzerland. Very do-able for a day trip - I can’t remember how long it took, but it was something like 1hr/1hr30. Lugano is a beautiful city to visit. I managed to catch the tram service to Ponte Tresa, as well as the double funicular up to Monte Brè where I had lunch at the cafe there. The views across Lake Lugano were spectacular.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Como is pleasant enough for a short excursion from Milan - you can go out by one route on the main line (Milan Centrale - Como San Giovanni) and return by the other (Como Nord Lago - Milan Cadorna) - or v.v. There are (limited) ferry services on the lake even in January. There is also quite a long funicular to Brunate from which there is a good aerial view of the lake.

For a longer excursion you could try Lugano in Switzerland - an attractive lakeside city in the Italian speaking part - and there is now a decent joint SBB/FS regional service from Milan. This saves the hassle of booking EC express services.

 

[D6130]

Verona is another beautiful historic city only about an hour from Milano. Like Brescia, initial impressions on leaving the station are not promising....but you only have to walk three or four blocks and you come to the huge and very well-preserved Roman amphitheatre, which is used for open air opera performances in the Summer. You can visit Juliet's balcony (as in Romeo!) and climb the huge Lamberti tower next to the market place for superb views across the city....and of the Alps and Dolomites if the weather is clear.

Like Bologna, Verona Porta Nuova Is a major railway junction with endless traffic and ample opportunities for photography and videos.... including of ÖBB 'Taurus' locos working to and from Austria via the Brenner Pass.

 

[boiledbeans2]

See my post here for railways in Milan as well as Genoa and Bernina Express:

Milan recommendations

Ever since I read Railway Holiday in Switzerland back in the 60s - finally did the route in Spring 2023, though but the weather rather spoilt the view. The considerable saving on IR was a bonus. 3 trains a day now not 2 - but I was many years too late for the Ex-TEE units that finished their...

www.railforums.co.uk

The classic line from Milan to Turin still uses E464 locos, but takes 2h (twice the high speed line time). It is significantly cheaper though: ~10 Euros one way from Milano Rho Fiera (Possibly use a day pass to get to Rho Fiera from the city centre).

In Turin, there is a Line 7 tram route which runs Sundays only, which uses classic trams, see my post here:

European cities with ‘classic’ bus/tram still in service

As far as I know, Turin still has one or more ancient trams on one of its routes. On Sundays, there is a special heritage tram route 7, with a tram every hour. Some photos can be found here: https://www.gtt.to.it/cms/turismo/linea-7-storica Normal tram fares apply. Every Sunday, they run a...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[rf_ioliver]

Trip up to Como to the Como Lago station, have a wander through the old town and then back via Como San Giovanni (or even from there into Switzerland)

 

[Porty]

Nothing I can really add to the above. Turin and Genoa you're already doing and are a must ( Genova might not quite be "La Superba" these days but a trip down La Strada Nuova with the palazzi stretching up the hill will give you an idea.) Certainly you can't miss Bologna if you've never been.

The point made up-thread about checking the weather is right - we did the Centovalli line in 2023 and only saw different shades of fog. ( Although the people at S. Maria Maggiore where our train finally conked out were very friendly.)

I'd add a +1 for Bergamo - fewer tourists and a bit of fog would be great up in the old town.

Otherwise suggest for a short trip maybe Brescia (which looks very unpromising to start off with from the station but gets better when you reach the twin cathedrals.)

Ditto re. Brescia.

Trip up to Como to the Como Lago station, have a wander through the old town and then back via Como San Giovanni (or even from there into Switzerland)

Or in reverse, to avoid the uphill walk. Take a short trip on the lake or walk around to the funicular and find an out of the way quiet place for lunch.

 

[MrsCake21]

Last week we flew into Bergamo airport with Ryanair. Got the bus upto the old town, castle ruins amazing views over the mountains and an amazing old cathedral with internal decor to die for., There are 2 funiculars which take you upto the castle ruins. Easily pass a day there. Anyway it's 40 minutes on the train from Milan. We did it in reverse you see, because we went to Milan afterwards. To see the the cathedral there and the biggest starbucks in italy... lol

 

[Alfonso]

If you like wallowing in hot water there are several places in Northern Italy with "terme" in the name, and Brigerbad between Brig and Visp in Switzerland is now open year round

 

[Bungle158]

Another vote for Verona, beautiful city, walkable, or take the hop on/off tourist bus. Juliet's house is a fake though

 

[newmilton]

Bergamo and its Città Alta are well worth a visit, as is Verona. Turin is a favourite of mine; I've been there half-a-dozen times, but there is really too much to do in a single day. Depending on your interests there are the various Savoy palaces, the Egyptian Museum (second biggest in the world), the Cinema Museum in the Mole Antonelliana, and the Automotive Museum in Lingotto - not far from the former Fiat factory with the roof-top test track made famous by The Italian Job - though to get up there you actually buy a ticket to the Agnelli's private art gallery on the roof.

 

[Iskra]

Thank you all for the abundance of recommendations- really helpful stuff!

We have previously enjoyed Bergamo and Verona so we'll probably try somewhere new.

The weather will be a factor, but as we are there for a week we can alter our plans to match the days with the least worst weather. The main goal of the trip is the Bernina Express, which I'm reassured has a high number of days of sunshine per year, so anything else is just a bonus.

 

[D6130]

Thank you all for the abundance of recommendations- really helpful stuff!

We have previously enjoyed Bergamo and Verona so we'll probably try somewhere new.

The weather will be a factor, but as we are there for a week we can alter our plans to match the days with the least worst weather. The main goal of the trip is the Bernina Express, which I'm reassured has a high number of days of sunshine per year, so anything else is just a bonus.

I don't think anyone has yet mentioned the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology in Milano....a good call for a rainy day. There's a very comprehensive railway section:

www.museoscienza.org

Also, on certain Sundays, FFSI - the Italian Railways historical and heritage division - run a steam special with vintage rolling stock from Milano Centrale to Paratico-Sarnico at the Southern end of the Lago d'Iseo and back again in the evening. During the day the loco and stock usually shuttle backwards and forwards from Paratico to Palazzuolo sul Oglio, the junction of the branch with the Bergamo-Brescia line:

www.fondazionefs.it

 

[W-on-Sea]

Mantova is one of my very favourite places in Italy, or indeed anywhere. It's a slightly awkward journey from Milan (generally it's necessary to change trains at Verona, although a bus might end up being more convenient from there), but it is absolutely filled with beautiful buildings and history - the Palazzo Te I found a particular highlight, maybe even more than the Ducal Palace. Excellent local food, too.

Also another +1 for Bergamo. Pavia I was slightly less taken with, somehow, although I was rather pleasantly surprised by Brescia, with its two adjacent cathedrals from different centuries each in the leading style of their times. (The newer one is baroque).

One smaller town I was pleasantly surprised by, en route to Turin (which I'd also recommend, and it is rather different in character to Milan) - not least for its art galleries - was Novara.

Verona? Hmm. The arena is worth seeing certainly. There is lot that is murky about the town, beyond that though, even when it is not overrun by Romeo and Juliet tourists, and in a less appetizing or appealing way than somewhere like Naples. Vicenza (even though the Veronese famously refer to the population there as "cat eaters" I think is rather more charming.

 

[newmilton]

I don't think anyone has yet mentioned the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology in Milano....a good call for a rainy day. There's a very comprehensive railway section:

www.museoscienza.org

Agreed. An excellent visit.

 

[Ant1966]

+1 for Iseo and Bergamo,
We spent a fantastic 2 weeks in Iseo in 2022. Very scenic, the Island in the middle of the lake is fascinating. Ferries are covered by the Lombardy regional ticket (only lake where thats true). Railway line goes right up the East shore of the lake, great views and interesting towns on the way.
Not sure how frequent the ferries are in Winter? and scenery obviously weather dependant!
Between Lake Iseo and Bergamo the Franciacorta wine region is well worth a look, if any wineries are open. Classy Italian sparkling wine, made like Champgane, if thats your thing.

 

[Usual-Commuter]

Enjoyed a day trip to Como late last year.

Not sure what ferries are available in January so would need to check.

I got the train from Milan over to Varenna, then eventually back from Como. Depending on what’s running you may be able to cross to Bellagio / Menaggio, or get a ferry directly from Varenna to Como.

Looks like the timetables are available here (for winter this year):

Search results - Navigazione Laghi

Search results - Lago Maggiore | Lago di Garda | Lago di Como

www.navigazionelaghi.it

 

[Gordon]

The weather will be a factor, but as we are there for a week we can alter our plans to match the days with the least worst weather. The main goal of the trip is the Bernina Express, which I'm reassured has a high number of days of sunshine per year, so anything else is just a bonus.

As soon as I saw the planned date for this trip I too thought 'Po Valley fog'!

If your "main goal is the Bernina Express" can I ask why you are staying for a week in Milano, rather than basing yourself in Switzerland?

back to the fog: I once travelled by train from my relatives in Geneva, via Milano, Cremona and Verona to join a school ski trip above Lake Garda. It was fog all the way (we also passed some steam trains...) across the Po basin, so much so that we triggered 'fog warning' track detonators at some stations

 

[AndrewP]

When I last stayed in the area I stayed in Bergamo and it is a lovely place I also think that Brescia is a wonderful place and well worth a visit. If visiting Turin then a visit to Lingotto is a must - an amazing place

 

[Iskra]

As soon as I saw the planned date for this trip I too thought 'Po Valley fog'!

If your "main goal is the Bernina Express" can I ask why you are staying for a week in Milano, rather than basing yourself in Switzerland?

back to the fog: I once travelled by train from my relatives in Geneva, via Milano, Cremona and Verona to join a school ski trip above Lake Garda. It was fog all the way (we also passed some steam trains...) across the Po basin, so much so that we triggered 'fog warning' track detonators at some stations

- Convenience and price of flights
- Better hotel prices and choice than Tirano
- Milan has more to do and is a better base for visiting other areas, such as Turin.
- We prefer Italian food, hospitality and prices over the Swiss equivalents.
- We generally prefer Italy over Switzerland.

I know some will disagree, but this is how we feel. If the weather is naff we can have a second go at doing the Bernina Express in the same week or otherwise change our plans. Also, poor weather isn’t the end of the world, this isn’t our annual holiday for the year and we normally do a holiday cottage in the UK in January so it will hardly be any worse than here.