The classic is the Bernina Express to Tirano (122 km, 55 tunnels, 196 bridges) — ride it from Milan or Lake Como; in 29 Oct–13 Nov 2026 RhB reroutes it via the Vereina tunnel. The Vigezzina–Centovalli links Domodossola and Locarno (52 km, 83 bridges). In Sicily the Circumetnea circles Etna — no trains on Sundays and public holidays. Sardinia’s Trenino Verde and the FS Fondazione historic trains run only on published dates, never daily.
Checked 2026-09-24 · Italy · Itineraries
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Bernina Express | 122 km · 55 tunnels · 196 bridges · Italian end: Tirano |
| Centovalli | Domodossola–Locarno · 52 km · 83 bridges |
| Circumetnea | Around Etna · no trains Sundays/holidays |
| Trenino Verde | Sardinia · calendar dates only |
| Historic trains | Event dates only · from €7.50 |
The scenic railways
Bernina Express: Chur/St. Moritz–Tirano
Bernina: 29 Oct–13 Nov 2026
Vigezzina–Centovalli: Domodossola–Locarno
VisitOssola · Vigezzina–Centovalli ↗ · Vigezzina–Centovalli · official ↗
Circumetnea: Catania–Giarre/Riposto
FCE · lines and timetables ↗ · FCE · timetable from 16 Mar 2026 ↗
Trenino Verde (Sardinia)
Sardegna Mobilità · Trenino Verde ↗ · Trenino Verde · official ↗
FS Fondazione historic trains
Fondazione FS · historic trains calendar ↗ · Fondazione FS · Binari senza Tempo ↗ · Fondazione FS · LocoMonferrato 2026 ↗
More scenic lines
| Line | Why ride it | How to book |
|---|---|---|
| Cinque Terre line | Levanto–Monterosso–Vernazza–Corniglia–Manarola–Riomaggiore–La Spezia; pairs with hiking | Regional timetable · Cinque Terre Treno MS Card |
| Merano–Malles (Val Venosta) | Regular scenic regional line; pairs with Merano, Bolzano and the wine road | Regional timetable — check replacement buses |
| Porrettana (Pistoia–Porretta) | Historic railway between Bologna and Tuscany | Only on dates in the FS historic calendar |
| Coastal lines | Ligurian, Tyrrhenian and Adriatic stretches | Plan as scenic day links, not one named route |
Quick answers
Can I do the Bernina Express from Italy without a car?
Yes — Tirano is the Italian end; get there by train from Milan or Lake Como and book the seat reservation for your date.
Does the Circumetnea run every day?
No — the railway service is suspended on Sundays and public holidays; check the FCE timetable for your date.
Is there one ticket for Italian historic trains?
No. Each FS Fondazione historic train is a separate event with its own date and ticket.
Can I ride Sardinia’s Trenino Verde any day?
No — it runs on a set calendar; private charters can be requested separately.
Go deeper in our guides
Related answers
Sources: RhB · Bernina Express ↗ · RhB · 2026 sales manual (PDF) ↗ · VisitOssola · Vigezzina–Centovalli ↗ · FCE · lines and timetables ↗ · FCE · timetable from 16 Mar 2026 ↗ · Trenino Verde · official ↗ · Fondazione FS · historic trains calendar ↗