travel
February 3, 2026
Slow train to Turin: a winter journey through the Swiss Alps to Italy
By travelling during the day on scenic routes, travellers can soak up spectacular landscapes before taking in Turin’s cultural heritage
TL;DR
- Train travel is experiencing a resurgence, with a notable rise in passengers.
- A slow-train journey across five countries offers a scenic alternative to flying, with easy border crossings.
- The Swiss Alps provide spectacular views via historic routes like the Matterhorn Gotthard railway, with its famous spirals.
- The journey moves from Switzerland to Italy, with a notable drop in costs for items like coffee.
- Lake Como and Lake Lugano are highlighted for their beauty and tranquility.
- Turin is presented as an underappreciated city with a unique blend of historical architecture and modern evolution.
- The city offers attractions like the Museo Nazionale del Cinema in the Mole Antonelliana and the repurposed Fiat test track, now a garden walk.
- Piedmontese cuisine is recommended, with specific mentions of Osteria Rabezzana.
- The return journey involves a TGV to Paris and then the Eurostar back to London.
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