Trying to save flex days on a Swiss Rail Pass but wondering if this plan is crazy:
Catch an early boat on Lake Lucerne and then a train down to Lugano, check in (hotel near the station), then try and follow Rick's Half Day Plan in Lugano which is: 3 PM boat across Lake Lugano, stop along the way, then back on the boat to a lift to the top of San Salvatore. Take the lift back, then walk to Lugano. I'm staying 2 nights in Lugano so the alternative would be to leave the boat trip and mountain lift until the next day. But that will cost either use of a flex day or something like 46 swiss francs.
Posted by
Kansas City USA/Birmenstorf, Switzerland
453 posts
Thats way too much to do - pay outright for the boat and lift on Lago Lugano. Personally I'd catch an early boat on Lake Luzern and take it all the way to Brunnen. The views of the alps from the water are amazing if its clear. You can easily store your luggage on the boat and the walk from the landing to the station is about 10 mins and its easy. There, grab a train to Lugano. Personally I'd grab one that goes over the old Gotthard route rather than through the new tunnel (the tunnel saves you about 30 mins but you miss some gorgeous scenery). 2 nights in Lugano is plenty of time for what you describe. The tourist info booth (SBB Reiseburo) in the Luzern station can give you all the info on what I describe and even print you out an itinerary.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, California, USA
162 posts
Thanks! I'll look into that ride to Brunnen. Definitely would rather see scenery than save time with the tunnel.