Summer disruptions expected for rail journeys linking Switzerland and Milan
Heads Up, Travelers! Disruptions on the Tracks Ahead
Got some exciting plans between June and September 2025? Well, hold on to your luggage, because there's a massive rail overhaul on the horizon! SBB, Switzerland's national rail company, has announced that work on railroad tracks will shut down the routes between Italian cities of Domodossola and Milan.
This roadblock will knock out EuroCity (EC) trains between the two cities from June 8th until July 27th, and again from August 30th until September 13th. That's right, no trains for over a month! Brace yourselves, as this will impact the Basel-Bern-Milan and Geneva-Lausanne-Brig-Milan lines.
Fear not, Trenitalia will provide replacement buses between Domodossola and Milan, although they'll be squeezed with a limited capacity and will add at least an hour to your journey compared to the train ride.
Transfer Troubles
From Monday to Friday, only one EC train in each direction to and from Basel, and one train to and from Geneva will make it all the way to Milan. The rest will end their journey in Domodossola. But don't worry, services remain unchanged on weekends, with four Eurocity trains on these two lines.
SBB and Trenitalia are also planning additional replacement buses between Geneva and Milan, with an intermediate stop in Martigny (VS). They're shooting for two daily connections in June and September, and three in July.
More troubles on the Simplon Axis
If that wasn't enough, services on the Simplon axis will also be reduced "for several years, at least until summer 2027". The construction in the Simplon Tunnel is causing a disturbance in the train schedule between Brig and the Italian city of Iselle. During the works, BLS car trains will run every two hours, instead of every 90 minutes.
So, be prepared for some significant travel changes, longer journeys, and potential train cancellations if you're planning a trip between Switzerland and Italy through the Simplon axis during this period. For more info on upcoming disruptions, check out this article. Happy travels, and may the tracks be ever in your favor!
[1] Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) – information on works and disruptions[2] Renfe – information on international trains
- In 2025, travelers should be aware of impending disruptions on the EuroCity (EC) trains between Domodossola and Milan due to a rail overhaul, affecting the Basel-Bern-Milan and Geneva-Lausanne-Brig-Milan lines from June 8th to July 27th and August 30th to September 13th.
- Trenitalia will offer replacement buses for the affected EC trains, but with limited capacity and extended journey time, adding at least an hour to the usual travel duration.
- From Monday to Friday during the same period, only one EC train in each direction will make it to Milan on the Basel and Geneva lines, while the rest will end in Domodossola.
- SBB and Trenitalia are also arranging additional replacement buses between Geneva and Milan, with two daily connections in June and September, and three in July, including an intermediate stop in Martigny (VS).
- Furthermore, services on the Simplon axis will also be reduced for several years, at least until summer 2027, resulting in BLS car trains running every two hours, instead of every 90 minutes, causing significant travel changes, longer journeys, and potential train cancellations for those traveling between Switzerland and Italy through that route.
