International Summer Rail Expansion by Switzerland's SBB: New Global Connections unveiled
Starting from June 28th, 2025, TGV Lyria trains will provide direct travel from Lausanne and Geneva to Avignon and Marseille in France, extending the standard year-round routes between Switzerland and Paris, Lyon, and Dijon. Passengers can then easily catch local trains to other destinations in the South of France, as per SBB.
For instance, reaching Antibes requires a change in Avignon or Marseille, while Geneva travelers can arrive in Antibes via Lyon Part Dieu.
Travel toward Italy may face some disruptions. Despite ongoing construction work on the rail infrastructure in Italy, direct trains will still operate, albeit with potential delays. Specifically, a daily train will run between Zurich, Genoa, and Sestri Levante on Italy's Mediterranean coast from June 1st to September 28th. However, the EC train from Zurich to Bologna will be suspended during this period, and EC trains will be extended daily to Pisa, connecting Genoa and Sestri Levante instead.
Additionally, works on the Simplon line between Domodossola and Milan will lead to a closure of the section between the two cities from June 8th to July 27th and from August 31st to September 12th, 2025. As an alternative, SBB, in cooperation with Trenitalia, will operate replacement buses from Geneva to Martigny to Milan during those dates.
SBB encourages passengers to travel on weekdays and to reserve their seats well in advance.
In Switzerland, the Bern-Fribourg line will be closed from June 27th to August 25th, with buses providing alternative transportation. On the line between Basel and Biel/Bienne, trains will be replaced by buses between Aesch and Laufen until the end of September.
Interruptions between Camnago and Seregno in Lombardy will take place on August 16th and 17th, causing the cancellations of EC trains between Chiasso and Milan on those days.
Despite these disruptions, SBB is aiming to offer more international train routes both to neighboring countries and farther afield.
Regarding the planned purchase of 40 high-speed trains to boost international connections, readers can find more information here: [Link to the source, if provided]
Swiss and Italian rail services are anticipating several disruptions for the summer of 2025, impacting both passenger and freight traffic. Passengers are advised to check schedules and seek alternative transport options during these periods.
[For additional, detailed information about the Swiss rail disruptions, the Italian rail disruptions, and a summary table of affected areas, please refer to the provided Enrichment Data.]
- Future travelers should take note that direct TGV Lyria trains will extend their standard routes to include Avignon and Marseille in France, while also providing easy transportation to other destinations in the South of France.
- Despite summer construction work in Italy affecting some international rail services, SBB is still working to offer more international train routes both to neighboring countries and distant locations, such as direct trains between Zurich, Genoa, and Sestri Levante on Italy's Mediterranean coast.
