Hello!
I will be in Luzern for three nights and then will be traveling to Milan, Italy. I only have two nights in Milan so I would like to at least have part of a day when I get there but I'm also somewhat interested in taking the Gothard Panorama Express train to see the scenery between Fluelen and Lugano. Does anyone have an opinion on this train ride? I have one of Rick's older Switzerland books and when it was called the William Tell Express, he recommended skipping the "official" (panorama) train and just buying tickets for the same route because the scenery is the same. I don't mind adding and hour or two to my trip to see great scenery but if the scenery is close to the same regardless, I'd rather take a shorter route. Does anyone have any suggestions on what my best option might be? Thanks!
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
There are now less trains traveling over the mountain passes because of the tunnel. I believe they have just one daily Gotthard Panorama train, what makes it interesting is the offer that couples the train ride with the boat ride from Fluelen to Luzern. Else you can just ride regional trains.
This being said, another option you might consider is to take a train Milano - Spiez (there are some daily trains stopping there en route to Bern, Basel and Frankfurt) combined with a scenic ride on the Interlaken - Luzern "Golden Pass" (it also requires a short Spiez - Interlaken Ost ride on regional trains).
Posted by
OP
Ypsilanti
146 posts
Thanks for the information! There appear to be trains going from Luzern to Milan with just a stop in Arth-Goldau. I'm assuming that route is less scenic with the tunnel? I would like to take a boat ride while I'm in Luzern anyway so maybe I won't do that part on the way to Milan.
Posted by
OP
Ypsilanti
146 posts
I'm be traveling to Milan on a weekday so that won't work. I guess I'll have to decide if the extra time for some good scenery is worth it! Thanks!!
Posted by
Green Bay
21160 posts
If you want to travel that route, just specify "via Goeschenen" on the SBB trip planner. You will see routes that take you up the through the old Gothard Tunnel and down through the loops to Italy. One train change at Erstfeld for trains leaving Luzern at 9:20, 11:18, 13:18, and 15:18. Trains at other times with more changes.
Posted by
Kansas City
454 posts
Sam's advice is spot on in terms of finding the trains that use the old route. I'd 100% recommend going the old (non-Gotthard Basis Tunnel) route on your way to Milan - the route over the pass on both sides of the "old" tunnel is gorgeous and for the time you sacrifice you gain some insanely beautiful scenery. On top of that, the trains will be less full (some of the trains on the Milan-Luzern/Zurich route can get really crowded). Also, I'd scratch taking the boat as part of your route or doing the Gotthard Panorama Express. While Lake Luzern is beautiful, being on a boat for multiple hours with all your luggage all the way to Fluelen will begin to get a little tiresome. You're better off doing a day trip with the boat out of Luzern (try and ride one of the vintage steamers if you can). A really nice trip is riding the steamer as far as Brunnen and taking the train back to Luzern or just riding the steamer over to Vitznau and taking the Rigi bahn up to the top of the mountain.
Posted by
OP
Ypsilanti
146 posts
Great advice! Thanks so much!! I was thinking the same thing about the boat ride. I'd like to take a boat trip during my stay in Luzern but maybe not as part of my trip to Milan. I will definitely check on that train route.
Posted by
Vancouver, BC
381 posts
I'm so glad you posted this question. I'm planning a trip from Lucerne to Locarno in May and I don't want to just be in a tunnel! I want to see Switzerland from a train! I had planned to do the boat trip, but now maybe not. But probably, as our 5 days in Lucerne are probably already booked by my hosts with other things. That's fine--we have all day to get there.