We have a choice between Cisalpino and Eurocity trains. I've done a little reading but nothing that tells me one is better than another.

Can you help?

Thanks

www.cisalpino.com

Cisalpino trains are able to tilt on curves which allows them to go somewhat faster..but that depends on the route you are speaking of.

Milan, Italy to Interlaken, Switzerland

All crossborder trains between Italy and Switzerland are run by Cisalpino, which is a joint-venture of SBB and Trenitalia. Some of these trains are tilting trainsets, others are conventional trains with an electric engine pulling cars.

> but nothing that tells me one is better than another.

That's an easy question.
The train that fits into your time planning frame is better than the train that doesn't. I fail to see which other criteria would matter in this case. Yes, some trains need 20 min less than others - but waiting 2 h to save 20 min is somewhat self-defeating.

Mainly I wanted to be sure it was comfortable and clean. I had read in more than one place that some lines of trains are not.

Traveling between Milan and Basel SBB.

There are two route choices. While travel times are different, they are close enough to be interchangable for my purpose.

Route 1: eastern route via Luzern
Route 2: western route via Brig and Bern

What are the differences? I think both are scenic routes.

Connie, I think you'll find the trains are all pretty much "comfortable and clean"

the difference is speed and on many routes the speed difference probably isn't worth the time and trouble.

>What are the differences? I think both are scenic routes.

Since last december the Brig route goest through the new base tunnel. It cuts the travel times by almost an hour but you pass a kilometer below most of the scenery. There are still trains on the old scenic line but they are local, requiring you to change in Brig.

The Gotthard line via Luern is very scenic, but in about 8-9 years the same will happen there as well.