Most scenic train route Brienz-Locarno?

P.S. I should add that decent time between connecting trains is a bonus. Some of them are tight on parts of these routes, but perhaps with certain stations, it really is just a stress-free hop over the platform. So am hoping to hear from someone who knows both routes and how smooth the changes are, with suitcases and companions who don't like rushing/cutting it fine!!!!

You can get there with only 1 change at Luzern. The train to Luzern is very scenic over the Bruenig Pass. There is an hourly direct train from Luzern to Locarno that uses the old high Gotthard Tunnel route that is very scenic. They even run one of those tourist scenic trains on that route, the Gotthard Panoramic Express, but you don't need that. Its all 1st class plus a reservation fee. The regular trains run the same route and have low occupancy normally.

The connection in Luzern is from Track 13 to Track 7 and you have 23 minutes to make it, which is a lifetime by Swiss standards. Since Luzern is a terminal station, just walk to the head of the platform, hang a left and walk 100 feet to the new platform and walk out to the train.

When you book it, make sure you put "Goeschenen" in the Via box to see this direct train. Otherwise SBB will show you the fastest way to Locarno, which uses the Gotthard Base Tunnel that has a 50 km tunnel completely under the mountains. Not only is there no scenery in the tunnel, you have 2 extra connections at Arth-Goldau and Bellinzona.

I've taken the Centovalli Express from Domodossola to Locarno a few times and really enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the way, and would certainly recommend that. I vaguely recall that I've travelled the other route as well, but I can't remember any of the details.

• https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Locarno-FART/Domodossola .

Thank you both. Very useful!

Take a look at the Swiss rail map linked below and view the two routes. Note that tunnels are indicated by dashed lines.

The Spiez-Domodossola route to the start of the Centovzlli railway involves two long tunnels—the Lötschberg Basistunnel to Visp and the Simplon tunnel between Brig and Domodossola. You can avoid the deep Basistunnel if you route through Kandersteg but it takes longer and there is still a tunnel, just shorter. An you cannot avoid the Simplon tunnel.

Most trains heading south into Italy from Luzern also use a deep tunnel, the Gotthard Basistunnel, under the Alps. You will see this on the map, ending near Bellinzona. But the route suggested by Sam, using the direct train between Luzern and Locarno, uses the older Gotthard Pass route which you will see as a squiggly line to the west of the deep tunnel. Those are switchbacks and a spiral the tracks use to lose altitude. There is still a short tunnel near the top, but most of the way you have great views on this route. So I think it is your best choice if you want scenery.

https://cdn-doc.myswissalps.com/docs/default-source/rail-network-maps/swisstravelpass.pdf?sfvrsn=7788603a_56

Brilliant, thank you. REALLY appreciate this level of detail.

GJ

Hi!
I am also trying to decide on best/quickest route in September to Locarno from Interlaken Ost, Either via Luzern or Spiez/Brig/Domodossola on Regio Lotschberger Express & Centovalli railway. However, I’ve read posts on another forum about some issues on the Centovalli line that may or may not require taking a bus from Domodossola to Belliinzona/Locarno. I’ve considered the fast train going thru the GBT (newer base tunnel) from Luzern but there are those 2 changes to do and some scenery obstructed. I do like the suggestion here of the old Gotthard tunnel on regular trains from Luzern to Locarno via Goschenon (sp.) It seems that either way the travel time with either route is approximately 4.5 hours. Is this correct? Thanks, anyone, for your thoughts. Bebe

The route via Luzern appears to be about 1/2 hour longer than the route using the Centovalli line, but the following statement does not give me confidence.

Locarno FART - Domodossola (I): The rail traffic between Camedo and Re is interrupted.
International trains PE + RE are cancelled between Locarno FART and Re.
Replacement buses are operating between Locarno 7:48, 12:48, 17:48 (except on Fridays and Sundays), 18:48 (only Fridays and Sundays) and Domodossola (nonstop).
Replacement buses are operating between Domodossola 10:25, 15:25, 19:36 (except on Fridays and Sundays), 20:36 (only on Fridays and Sundays) and Locarno (nonstop).
The regional trains Locarno - Camedo are running on schedule.
Duration: from 18.05.2022 10:00 for an undefinite time.
The online timetable will not be adapted. Please pay attention to the information in this announcement.
Further information is available at https://www.vigezzinacentovalli.com/

Thanks, Sam. Yes, it’s very confusing - and I wanted to go thru a part of Italy on way to Locarno. Traveling in northerly direction to Luzern from Interlaken to go to southern Switzerland seemed odd. I contacted Italian rail about the disruption and change at Domodossola and all they sent back was a one line email saying the Centovalli route would be ready by September. I have the STP paper ticket and I guess the older Gotthard Pass route might be the better way to travel even if it takes a little longer. I have seen extensive posts about the different routes on myswissalps.com. Just want to make sure I choose the right train. Bebe

Hi again, just to say that in the end we took the 11.25 Brienz-Luzern (takes .1.5 hours arriving 12.55), then the 13.18 old scenic high route (the 3-hour one with fewer tunnels but lots of village stops ) to Locarno, arriving 16.25 - all very easy and smooth. And yes it does go North to go South, but that's just the way it is.

From Locarno it was a 10 min taxi (27 CHF, so about £23) to Ascona. Ascona (where we stayed up on on the hill via Air BnB) was stunning and for future ref. is well worth a visit in June when the jazz festival is on.

For the record though, when we returned home on 2 July, we went Locarno to Basel (then Basel-Paris and Paris-London). I noted that the route to Basel (after a quick pause to change trains at Bellinzona, all on Platform 1) was also via Lucerne, and actually that was very beautiful and hugged the lake a lot. So that's the faster Gotthard route that we chose not to take on the way down.

So, although the high scenic route Lucerne to Locarno is lovely, in a way I preferred the faster route (on return) as i was more struck by the Lucerne images than the high mountain route, which, after having stayed in Brienz and been amazed by the stunning views up and down the Brienzer Rothorn steam train, was not actually as spectacular as i'd imagined!

Hope that helps. Feel free to ask more qu's.