Switzerland’s SBB Adds Summer Train ‌Routes Amidst ‍Travel Disruptions

⁣ ​ ⁤ ‌ Updated May 28,2025
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Switzerland’s national railway,SBB,is expanding ⁢its summer train travel⁤ schedule with new ⁤routes to popular destinations in ⁣france and Italy. ​However, travelers shoudl prepare for potential complications along the ‍way.

For those seeking ‍the sun in southern France, ⁤the TGV Lyria will offer direct ⁢service from Lausanne and⁣ Geneva to Avignon and Marseille between June 28 ‍and Aug.24. SBB notes ‍that these‌ routes will supplement existing year-round services to Paris, Lyon, and Dijon. From Avignon and Marseille, travelers can easily connect⁣ to other‌ destinations, such as⁢ Antibes, via local trains. Geneva also offers a route to Antibes via ​Lyon Part⁤ Dieu.

The journey to Italy‌ may ‌present more challenges. ‌While​ a direct train will operate daily from June 1 to‌ Sept. 28,connecting Zurich,Genoa,and ⁣Sestri‌ Levante on the⁢ Italian Mediterranean coast,meaningful construction work on Italy’s rail ⁣infrastructure could cause disruptions. The Eurocity⁢ (EC) train from‍ Zurich to Bologna will be suspended from June 1 to Sept. 28 due to roadwork. However, from June 8 to Sept. 28, the EC⁤ train ⁤will ⁣extend daily to Pisa, linking ​Genoa ⁣and Sestri Levante.

Further complicating matters, the simplon line between Domodossola and Milan will ‌be closed between ​June​ 8 and July 27, and again from Aug. 31 to Sept. 12. During these closures, the section between the‌ two cities will be⁣ inaccessible.

To mitigate the ‍impact on travelers, ​SBB, in​ collaboration with Trenitalia,‌ will operate ‍replacement ⁤buses from Geneva ‌to Martigny to Milan. SBB advises ⁢passengers to travel on weekdays when possible‍ and to book seats ⁤in advance.

Other‍ disruptions to anticipate this summer ⁤include the closure ⁢of the Bern–Fribourg line in Switzerland from June 27 to Aug. 25, with replacement bus‌ service available. Additionally, buses ⁣will replace​ trains between Aesch and Laufen on the Basel-Biel/bienne ‍line⁤ until the end of September. In Lombardy, interruptions between⁤ Camnago and Seregno on⁢ Aug. 16 and 17 will lead to‍ the cancellation of ‌EC trains between⁢ Chiasso and Milan⁣ on those days.

What’s next

Despite these challenges, SBB aims to⁤ expand its international ‍train travel routes beyond neighboring ⁢countries, offering more options for European train travel.