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Bernina or Gotthard Express

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This is a very last-minute posting. My wife and I will need to get from Wengen to Como, Italy, next week and my initial plan was to take the regular train to Lugano and then a local train to Como. We do have a Swiss Rail Pass, but my wife informed me that she would very much like to take a Panoramic train instead of a regular one. I hadn't anticipated that so I didn't plan for it, and now I'm scrambling to see how we can do this.

I cannot figure out if we can/should take either the Bernina or Gotthard Express. It seems to me that the Gotthard would be a better option from Wengen, as it ends in Lugano, however, my wife cannot do the 2 1/2 hour steamboat ride. I'm trying to find out if we can take a train instead to Fluelen and pickup the Gotthard there, but I have found no answer yet to that question. We also know that we would have to upgrade to 1st class seating. It also appears to be somewhat shorter in travel time.

If we take the Bernina, I guess we can take a local train from Turino to Como (please confirm if possible). It seems like a longer travel day this way, but we wouldn't need to upgrade to 1st class.

I'm just torn trying to figure out the right / best way to accomplish this. Which train has better views? I have seen comments where people say that the regular train offers wonderful views anyway along the route, so is the Panoramic train really worth it? I know that extra cost would only be for the reservation fee (and then 1st class upgrade for Gotthard). Please help!

Thank you

Jeff

Posted by
6883 posts

Hi,
So, the Bernina route is too far from Wengen to do it reasonably in one day on the way to Como Town. I mean, you could do it, but it would mean 10+ hours on the rails. I wouldn't recommend it, there's only so much scenery you can absorb in a day.

That leaves you with the Gotthard route.
And I have good news for your wife (and for you): the train from Interlaken to Luzern has big windows, of Panoramic standard really, and is very scenic. It will tick the "Panoramic train" box in style, and in second class.
My recommendation is then to take regular trains from Luzern to Erstfeld (change sometimes needed), Erstfeld to Bellinzona over the Gotthard Pass (via Goeschenen), and Bellinzona to Como.
If the Panorama express for that leg is not negotiable, then yes, bite the bullet, but it will add very little to the scenery and it will not be convenient - there is only one departure from Flüelen.

Posted by
16187 posts

But to answer your question, yes, you can reach Fluelen by train.

Posted by
12 posts

Thank you very much. Your answer was very helpful and made the decision process easier.

Probably will skip the Panorama train.

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