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Voralpen Express Questions.

Posted by on

I have read many good things about the Voralpen Express trip from Luzern to St. Gallen. They all speak of getting off at Rapperswil and/or other locations along the way, mentioning that you can get off and continue the journey at your own speed allowing for hourly trains arriving and departing at these locations. When looking online to purchase tickets it looks like you can purchase true "express" tickets with no stops and then I see other tickets with "one stop".

What I am looking for is two first class tickets from Luzern to St. Gallen with the choice to get off at any of the stops along the way and then get back on a later train to continue on to St. Gallen. Then return later the same day to Luzern. Where do I go to purchase such a ticket and what do I look for? Also, can it be purchased with a 1/2 fare card?

TIA! Lorrie

Posted by
21855 posts

All the Voralpen Express trains make stops along the way. There are no nonstop trains between Luzern and St Gallen. Just buy a return ticket and get on board and stop off anywhere you like along the way, as long as you complete the journey by the end of the day.

You can buy tickets on-line, with the SBB app, from a ticket machine or from a human at a ticket window any time before the train departure. Yes, the Half Fare Card gets you half fare, and you do not need to have the card when you buy the ticket, just when you travel.

Posted by
38 posts

Thanks Sam! I am booking the tickets now and it has me booking my return trip at a specific time. Can I board and return earlier or later as long as I have a return ticket?

Posted by
21855 posts

I guess I am wondering why you feel the need to book these so far in advance. It is just the hourly train between Luzern and St Gallen. Since you intend to hop off and on, no point in seat reservations and the train price is always the same. I'd say just buy it when you get to Luzern. It can't sell out.

Posted by
6119 posts

Trainline is a third party broker. Buying direct is the best recommendation. Have a great trip!

Posted by
1070 posts

As I live not far from Luzern I often take this train for a day trip:

  • It is just an ordinary Swiss train, used by the locals and is very frequent throughout the day
  • You can just by a day return on the day of travel like everyone else, there is always plenty of space on board
  • I see no need for first class tickets, I'd save the cash and spend it on a nice meal in St. Gallen

Enjoy the trip.

Posted by
38 posts

Thanks to all for the excellent help. we will just wait and buy tickets there day of. Appreciate all the advice!

Posted by
2796 posts

Tickets in Switzerland are for a route, not a train. You start the process with the selection of a train from a schedule, but that is only used to determine the route the ticket needs to be issued for. Standard tickets are good for any train on the route, and allow you to stop over as much as you like.

What you need to be aware of is the the fastest route from Luzern to st. Gallen is via Zurich. But that is a longer route, so slightly more expensive. So pay attention that you buy your ticket for the correct route.

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