Start your train travel to Milan at Geneve Cff, the main train station in Geneva and western Switzerland.
Take a direct train from Geneve Cff to Milano Centrale, northern Italy's most central train station, and one of the primary crossroads for the entire 'boot' of Italy. The direct route takes about 4.5 hours.
Take a connecting train from Geneve Cff to Brig, and then on from Brig to Centrale Milano. This is the second most efficient way to reach Milan from Geneva, taking roughly 5.5 hours to complete.
Consider an even longer route through the Alps and stop at places like Bellinzona and Morithy to really get an eyeful. Train routes through the Alps offer unprecedented views of the range's splendor, and only add between two and three more hours to your journey.
Book a sleeper car for you and your family to catch up on a little sleep before arriving in Italy. The trip is long enough to make it worth considering the added investment.
Upgrade from economy to first class to secure a good meal during your journey. First class compartments feature an a la carte menu that actually has some tasty dishes from which to choose.
Keep yourself entertained in the business section of the train. You'll be able to plug in your electronics, and the fare is the same as economy class.
To book tickets, contact Eurail at 1-866-638-7245 or visit their Web site (see Resources, below). Look on the left hand side of the site's home page and click on 'Train Tickets and Schedules.' Insert the required information to generate sample itineraries.
Book multiple tickets at once and you'll often receive a discount. This is particularly true when you couple train travel with accommodations at major hotel chains at your destination.
Take advantage of your student pass when you book travel from Geneva to Milan. Discounts between 20 and 40 percent are not unheard of.
Have your tickets delivered to your home or pick them up at the station. Either service is available for people who book their tickets online.
Invest in a Eurailpass before you book your train travel from Geneva to Milan. You'll be given a discount on your ticket, as well as unlimited usage for the period during which your pass is valid.
