Gotthard v Bernina express

you make it hard for me with all the loaded questions. I know the area well, but other than using the route of the Gotthard before the deep tunnel opened I do not know the current product. I do know the RhB and their two products, Glacier and Bernina expresses, and have done the Bernina line - but never on a fancy train anywhere in Switzerland, always the local train - several times.

Which is a better train experience - I suppose it depends on what you call best or better. Me, I like the Bernina line and its component parts. On the other hand it is always good fun doing the dogbone tunnels and seeing the same church 3 times on the Gotthard. All what you prefer. Watch some Youtubes and see which appeals?

"worth seeing." It all is in my opinion - but I have no idea what worth it means to you.

Day trip from Milan - either Lake Maggiore and Stresa or Lake Como.

Since you are doing a return trip you could always take both routes and compare!

Bernina: very picturesque up over the top of the Alps. Longer journey since you will need to get to Eastern Switzerland, and then a likely delay on the Italian train from Tirano-Milan. In the summer they have open-air carriages on some of the local trains. More of a natural vibe since you are travelling through a very thinly settled part of Switzerland.

Gotthard Classic Route: Impressive mountains and many many loops to gain and lose altitude. You can do the Luzern-Flüelen section by lake steamer then switch to the train (adds a few hours but it is woth it). Stop off in Bellinzona or Lugano. More of an industrial vibe at times since this was built as a hardcore mountain freight route.

So you land in Zurich and go straight to Lucerne. How long there before you go to Italy? Do you want to see more of Switzerland or have more time to spend in Italy? Are Varenna and Milan your only overnight stops in Italy?

I know that is a lot of questions but it will help with giving your answers.

I don’t think one train experience is “ better” than the other. The Bernina is popular on this forum cuz it is in Rick’s travel book and more people have done it. The Gotthard train is newer so few people here have ridden it.

I suggest you decide based on what fits better with your plans and the amount of time you have. The Bernina will take you straight to Varenna. But you will need an extra night or 2 in Switzerland after to position yourself to take the Bernina. If you are OK with that then it is a good option.

American in CH—- I read the post as saying they will fly home from Milan, not return to Switzerland and fly from there.

Thank you all for the quick replies. I understand my questions are of a general nature and I think watching videos will help me make my decision. We are using the train to see a good representation of the mountains as we are not spending a lot of time in the country. Our time in Italy will be a few days in Varenna and then Milan before we head home. Yes, we are returning to Boston from Milan.

The Gotthard Panorama Express is all 1st class. It will cost 188 CHF per person, which is 164 for the ticket and 24 for the seat reservation. I just picked a random date, Tuesday, Sept 24, and 3 carriages are already full, but plenty of seats in the 4th carriage. So if you want to commit to it, you should buy the seat reservations now. You can save on the ticket price by purchasing Saver Day Passes now, which for Sept 24, are 88 CHF per person for 1st class, saving you considerable cash.
https://www.sbb.ch/en/tickets-offers/tickets/day-passes/saver-day-pass.html

This of course, depends on what you plans are for in Luzern. A Swiss Travel Pass is probably overkill. There is also the Tell Pass that has unlimited use of trains, boats and lifts in the Luzern district. https://www.tellpass.ch/en

Another option is to build your own "panoramic express" without the fancy train and 1st class requirements. You could leave earlier, and the cost would be 52 CHF per person with the 2nd class Saver Day Pass, or 88 CHF for 1st class. It would also include travel onward as far as Chiasso, just before Como.

Are you planning on staying on Lake Como for a few days, or are you going straight to Milan and visiting Como as day trips?

This is very helpful and I appreciate your collecting this information. We will firm up our plans this weekend. I had planned to stay in Varenna for maybe 2 nights and possibly two nights in Milan.