Rail Closure Set to Complicate Christmas Travel in Northern Italy

People planning to travel by train across northern Italy over the 2025 Christmas and New Year holidays may need to review their routes, as changes are scheduled on the Milano–Domodossola line. From 26 December to 6 January, train services between Rho and Gallarate will be suspended, directly affecting routes used by holidaymakers heading toward Lombardy, Piedmont, and cross border destinations. The timing places the disruption squarely within one of the year’s busiest travel windows.

The suspension is part of a wider programme of rail upgrades that will reshape how this corridor operates once works are completed. Several projects are being carried out at the same time, including adding extra tracks between Rho and Parabiago, upgrading station control systems, and creating a new surface level rail link that improves connections toward Malpensa Airport. These changes are designed to support modern signalling and more efficient train movements in the future.

What to expect when travelling during the closure

The changes will be felt most clearly by travellers who already have holiday trips planned during this period. Journeys that usually pass smoothly through Gallarate may take extra time during this period, with some travellers needing to follow different routes or rely on replacement services. Those travelling with luggage, families, or tight schedules will need to allow extra time and avoid assuming that usual connections will operate as normal during this period.

This period will require extra attention from travellers who are combining train journeys with flights or long distance rail services. Leaving more time between connections, checking schedules shortly before departure, and being open to travelling on different days may help avoid unnecessary delays. Those who do not know the area well should also expect that transfers and wayfinding may take longer when replacement transport is involved.

This news goes beyond a routine rail update and has a direct impact on how holiday trips across the region will unfold. The closure is likely to complicate festive travel, especially for people who rely on trains to reach their destination. Travellers are best served by adjusting plans early, allowing more time than usual, and treating this period as an exception rather than a typical travel window.