Switzerland train routing suggestions for about 14 nights and pass type

From Mürren the best way to get the Treno Gottardo is to head to Lucerne. The Gottardo goes to Locarno not Lugano. Spend a night or2 in Locarno and the take a direct train to Milan.

The Treno Gottardo and the Glacier Express do not actually intersect. Look at this map of the Swiss rail system with the scenic routes highlighted:

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

The Glacier Express makes only on stop between Brig and Disentis, at Andermatt. The Treno Gottardo is in a tunnel at that point, (indicated by a dashed line) making no stops between Göschenen and Airolo.

So to transfer from the Treno Gottardo to the Glacier Express, you would leave the TG at Göschenen and take a southbound train to Andermatt to catch the westbound GE heading to Zermatt. But check the schedules carefully on SBB to make sure they align.

Edit: The TG departs Luzern every 2 hours, in the mornings 9:18 and 11:18. With the change at Göschenen, those trains will get you to Andermatt at 11:06 and 13:06, respectively. The westbound Glacier Express (heading to Zermatt) stops at Andermatt at 12:08 and 14:08, which gives you an hour to spend there—-maybe lunch?

Don't confuse the Gotthard Panoramic Express train with the Treno Gottardo. Similar route. The first one ends in Lugano. The second one ends in Locarno.

Also, the Gotthard Panorama Express has a boat segment, from Luzern to Flüelen. Then it is a train from there to Lugano. (Or you could take a train to Flüelen, but it would involve a change at Arth-Goldau).

And it only runs once a day, not every 2 hours like the Treno Gottardo.

I’m now considering going to Pontresina and just pretty much following Rick Steves 14 day suggested train route but cutting off the last segments from BO TO Bern finishing in Zurich (not doing that part) and still flying out of Milan. So give me a critique of the following:

1) Basel (depart Viking Aug 15) - train to Appenzell (thru zurich if necessary) (2)
2) Train to Luzern (2)
3) treno gottardo to Bellinzona. Transfer to gotthard panorama express (or any other train) to Lugano (2). With the transfer to a regular train in Bellinzona, will we still see most of the beautiful scenery of the treno gottardo?

4) bernina express to pontresina (2)
5) glacier express to zermatt (1)
6) train to Lausanne (2)
7) golden pass to BO. Stay in Murren (3)
8) train to Spiez where we take a train to Brig/Domodossola. Up until now the Swiss pass covers all of this. From Domodossola we pay for a ticket and catch a train to Milan.

I cant see the post above but i think the commenter is saying that the glacier express doesnt go straight to zermatt but rather that is a side trip. So if i understood that correctly, we can go on the glacier express straight to Lausanne if we dont want to go to zermatt? Or if on some other train, which train from where to Lausanne?

I think there is a 15 day swiss pass that should cover all of this journey except perhaps one day. Where would you suggest that we buy an extra day ticket (we will just be sightseeing in the general area from one of these towns im sure and wont necessarily need it to “travel”)?

i think the commenter is saying that the glacier express doesnt go straight to zermatt but rather that is a side trip. So if i understood that correctly, we can go on the glacier express straight to Lausanne if we dont want to go to zermatt?

Wrong. The Glacier Express goes all the way to Zermatt. However, if you do not want to go to Zermatt, get off the Glacier Express in Brig and transfer to an IC train to Lausanne.

I would suggest simply adjusting your overnight stays so the 15-day pass is valid throughout the trip. For instance, you could cut Zermatt and then the 15-day pass would work for the whole trip. If you do not want to arrive in Milan a day early, spend the first night in Basel, which is definitely worth a day.

You can see all the train schedules at https://www.sbb.ch/en/buying/pages/fahrplan/fahrplan.xhtml

do you know about the Grand Tour?

https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/experiences/experience-tour/highlights-by-train-bus-and-boat/grand-train-tour-of-switzerland/?_gl=1*dui90w*_up*MQ..*_ga*NDAwMzY2MjM5LjE2OTk5OTI3NDg.*_ga_F6N1LVHY7B*MTY5OTk5Mjc1MC4xLjAuMTY5OTk5Mjc2NS4wLjAuMA..

You can take the Bernina Express from Pontressina straight to Tirano, Italy.
The Tirano train to Milan train goes right past the Varenna stop in Lake Como.( hint- hint).
Varenna to Milan Central is a one- hour regional train.

You may be trying to do too many beautiful train rides. IMHO, the Bernina Express route is the best! And- use the regional trains, not the panorama trains- you'll have many more schedule options.

I'll attach my 2021 Trip Report which my provide some helpful info.

Enjoy your wonderful trip!

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/lucerne-62eb4d28-60ab-4837-b4b4-91a2486eb732

I'm sorry you didn't choose to look around Basel before you head off. It has many attractions, and is a really nice place.

While in BO consider a day in outside Murren (valley) going to Brienz, Giessbach Falls, Meiringen/Aareschlucht. On your trip to Domodossola, Blausee and Oeschinensee are near Kandersteg and on the way, Adding a day to BO would allow for more wonderful mountain attractions.

Pat: I too feel like it might be too much train riding but it’s RS suggestion for 14 days of sightseeing so guess he figures it’s doable and, besides, I am hoping that even if we don’t have enough time to do much sightseeing at each stop, that seeing the beauty of the country from the train will be reward enough. Besides, if my 84 year old sister accompanies us on the trip, a train ride should be one of the least demanding on her.

I do intend to take non-panorama trains where possible.