Scenic train route from Lugano to Lucerne or Lugano to Wengen?

I was planning on riding the Gotthard Panorama Express from Lugano to Lucerne, but it doesn't run on Sundays.

It does run on Sundays, it does NOT run on MONDAYs.
https://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/trains-boats/panorama-trains/gotthard-panorama-express/gotthard-panorama-express-timetable.html

• Also, I was planning on taking the train from Lucerne to Interlaken Ost. via the cogwheel train over the eponymous pass, but i've heard this is out b/c of the floods? Is this the same as the Golden Pass Panoramic train via the Brunig Pass?

Yes, they are the same trains, just different ways of describing them. If the repairs are not complete by your time of travel, they will simply put you on a replacement bus at Brienz for the rest of the way to Interlaken Ost, You will still be able to do the scenic section over the Brunig Pass.

Sam - Thank you for the information. I meant to say "Monday" on the Gotthard Panorama Express. I need to travel on Monday...any suggestions? Thank you.

You can do this without the panoramic cars (and no reservation fee) and one extra train change. Train to Bellinzona, change to the Treno Gottardo to Luzern, riding the same rails as the Gotthard Panorama Express. If you want to do the boat experience, just get off at Fluelen and transfer to the boat to Luzern.

Treno Gottardo:

https://www.travelswitzerland.com/en/experiences/scenic-routes/treno-gottardo/

Same tracks and scenery as the Gotthard Panorama Express for a much lower cost. And as Sam says, if you want the boat journey across Vierwaldstättersee (lake Luzern), you get off the train at Flüelen and walk to the boat dock 5 minutes away for the next boat.

We did this in reverse (southbound, Luzern to Milan) last September with our family, and everyone loved the experience.

As for Bern vs. Zurich, we much prefer Bern. The lovely Altstadt is tucked into a horseshoe bend of the river and is very nice in terms of architecture, shops, restaurants, and ambiance. Einstein and Paul Klee museums are worth visiting, and the clocktower and Minster spire offer nice views if you like climbing stairs to viewpoints. My husband enjoys swimming in the river, but one must exercise care in choosing the spot.

Bern is a lovely city that other Swiss choose to visit for a mini-vacation, according to the people at the next table at the Krone restaurant when we were there last September. (I highly recommend this restaurant, sitting outside on a summer evening). Zurich is very business-oriented, with banks and big insurance companies based there.

The Luzern - Interlaken train will now be replaced on the Meiringen - Interlaken segment till at least sep. 29. Until that there will be busses. Unfortunately the bus runs along the south side of the lake, taking the motorway.

However the boats should be operating, so you could do a Luzern - Interlaken by train till Meiringen, then a short bus ride to Brienz, and get on the boat to Interlaken there.

Thanks for the train info and for the preference on Bern/Zurich. I think I will lean towards Bern!

Has anyone done a train from Lugano to Wengen ?