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Alternative to the Gothard Express

Posted by (Grand Rapids, MI, USA) on

I need help understanding how to book the route of the Gothard Express on regular trains and boats. Several have suggested this as a viable alternative with more flexibility and better ferry options across Lake Luzern.

My questions:
1. How do I book these options? Online or in person once we are staying in Lucerne? Is it better to book ahead or doesn't it matter? Are the ferries and the train tickets booked in the same place?

  1. What exactly am I looking for or asking about? Since there are several train routes between Lucerne and Italy, how do I identify a scenic route (which is what we would like)? I am uncertain about the locations along the way--ferry route from Lucerne to ??/ which train locations are along the preferred train route?

If it matters, we are moving from our stay in Lucerne to next destination which is Bellagio.

Thank you for any help those more knowledgeable than I am are able to share!

Posted by
20205 posts

To get the scenic route between Luzern and Lugano, simply put "Goeschenen" in the "Via" box on the SBB route planner. www.sbb.ch/en

If you want to take the lake boat from Luzern, it meets the Gottthard Panoramic Express at Flüelen. You can also get other trains on that scenic route from Flüelen.

Still not clear from your post if you want to take the actual Gotthard Panoramic Express, or just trains that follow the same route. For the GPE, https://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/trains-trips/rail-travel-specialtrains/panoramareisen/gotthard-panorama-express.html

To get to Bellagio from Lugano, take a continuing train to Como S. Giovanni station. You can get a bus from the station, or bus or taxi to the water front and take a boat.

Posted by
6919 posts

If you use the Swiss Railways (SBB) journey planner for trains from your chosen ferry port (Flüelen for the longest cruise and shortest walk to the train) to Como San Giovanni station, specify "via Goeschenen" and you will find the routes that use the scenic Gotthard railway (the regular train is called "Treno Gottardo" You will need to change trains in Bellinzona, and sometimes in Lugano too.

Posted by
180 posts

I appreciate this specific reply. It is exactly the information I need.

We are still open to either the actual Gothard Panoramic Express or just regular trains. We initially were thinking we would book the actual GPE but have been told that doing it with regular trains was fine too. Bottom line--we are still looking for advice about the two options.

Thank youl

Posted by
20205 posts

The GPE train is 1st class only. It only goes once a day 6 days a week (no Monday train), but goes all the way to Lugano. Regular trains are available with 2nd class, and there is a train (with connections) every hour. Trains from Luzern are at 18 past the hour, at odd hours, (9:18 eg) only one connection is required at Bellinzona, at even hours, (10:18 eg) an additional connection is required at Arth-Goldau.

Posted by
4436 posts

also look for videos from the Man in Seat 61 about this route

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