Specific train info for Lugano to Strasbourg needed!

Those all follow the same route (Lugano-Arth- Goldau-Basel-Strasbourg) and use the same types of trains. The first is a EuroCity and the ones after that are regional or Regional Express.

The only difference is in the departure times and number of changes. I would choose the one with the fewest changes (1, at Basel) , and pick the most convenient departure time for you (9:42 or 11:42).

The online train schedules will normally route you by the fastest trains, especially if there's a lot of service offered by those trains, and so no "need" to show slower options. The direct Lugano-Arth Goldau train goes through the new, long Gotthard tunnel. If you want a more scenic route, it will take more connections and travel time. On a regular schedule search, you can enter one or two "Via" or "Stopover" midpoints to define the detour you want. Requesting a route via Airolo will take you through the old, shorter Gotthard tunnel, and more mountain scenery. That gives you these results with only one additional connection:

Lugano Tu, 15.05.18 dep 09:19, RE 4308, Regional-Express Direction: Erstfeld

Erstfeld Tu, 15.05.18 arr 11:24

Transfer time 10 min.

Erstfeld Tu, 15.05.18 dep 11:34, IR 26, Interregio Direction: Basel SBB

Basel SBB Tu, 15.05.18 arr 13:55

Transfer time 26 min.

Basel SBB Tu, 15.05.18 dep 14:21, TER96226, Train Express Regional Direction: Strasbourg, 2nd class only

Strasbourg Tu, 15.05.18 arr 15:39

Duration: 6:20

An identical schedule runs two hours later, starting at 11:19.

It would also be possible to detour further via a portion of the Glacier Express route (seat reservation fee if you want the named "express" departure), if you didn't mind spending the whole day.

Last December, Switzerland opened the new Gotthard Base Tunnel on the rail line between Lugano and Zurich which is a 30 mile (or so) straight under the high Alps. Fast, efficient, and eliminating all that alpine scenery. You can still travel the old route with all the loops, switchbacks, and the shorter old Gotthard Tunnel. It will take longer and you will have to change trains more often, but more scenery. To see this route, just specify "via Goeschenen" on the SBB trip planner. It takes 6 hours and 20 minutes to get to Strasbourg, rather than 5 hours using the new tunnel. There is a 9:19 departure with only 2 changes, at Erstfeld and Basel.

Since you are using a Eurail Pass, you can make up your mind at the last minute. Nice day? Take the slow scenic route. Rotten day? Take the fast way under the mountains.

Thank you for the AMAZING suggestions! I knew this was where I would find help. I think I will look into the slower trains and the suggestion to decide related to the weather is also a good one!

The only problem I see with your plan is your requirement for the most modern trains. What actual amenity you want the train to have?

The difficulty is that some of the newest trains use the short, fast, most popular new tunnel route in Switzerland. The trains used on the mountain route are the somewhat older ones. How will that be a problem?

The TER trains in France don't tend to be the most cutting-edge.

Nigel - good point. I did look up the trains but decided that scenery is more important than comfort. Lol

There is also a train with Panorama cars that goes at 9:23 marked as EXT. It does not stop at Erstfeld, but continues to Fluelen on Lake Luzern (Vierwaldstaettersee). Then you transfer to a train to Arth-Goldau, then a train to Basel, then to Strasbourg. This takes 7 hours and 20 minutes, due a 1 hour train connection time at Fluelen. There is a way to cut an hour off that by taking 2 buses to Luzern.

The EXT train is called the Gotthard Panorama Express, and it has a 33 CHF reservation fee required, not covered by Eurail pass. It is basically a replacement for what used to be called the William Tell Express. The idea is that when you get to Fluelen, you transfer to a classic lake steamer to Luzern. That takes some time, as steam boats are a lot slower than trains. It is an option if you don't mind getting into Strasbourg rather late. Right now, I can't seem to find the exact schedule arrival time by boat into Luzern. They don't start running this until mid April. Don't know if the boat is covered by Eurail pass.

Sam - that sounds intriguing! I am very interested in that option. I imagine those panoramic trains are in high demand and if you can't reserve until April...that could be a problem. Any suggestions re finding out exactly when to reserve, keeping in mind the time change? I'll have one piece of luggage so I hope I can manage that too.

We rode the "old" Gotthard route twice (once in each direction) in 2010 and really enjoyed the scenery, which includes alpine peaks and hanging glaciers. There are some tunnels, but they are quite short; not long enough to bother a claustrophobic like me. And some of them are actually spirals to gain or lose elevation, but the train goes so slowly here one does not become dizzy. Indeed I did not know they were spirals until I read about this and confirmed this on the rail map.

It his nice they have created the Gotthard Panoramic Express to re-create the route.