Train from Lugano to Zermatt or St. Moritz to Zermatt

I have an unusual suggestion. We went from Brig to Disentis and then reversed. We had to get back to the Berner Oberland and it would have been much longer from St. Moritz. Here's the suggestion to consider. Take the train from Lugano to Andermatt. You'll change at Goeschenen and backtrack a bit to Andermatt. Next, I would suggest taking the Glacier Express east to Disentis. This will take you over the Overlap Pass and down much of the other side. This is nice. Now, you reverse and take the Glacier Express to Zermatt. Overall, you will lose about 3 hours on the reverse journey from Andermatt to Disentis and back. But, you don't have to go all of the way to St. Moritz. Next, take the train from Zermatt to Spiez. Pick up the Golden Pass train to Montreux. You'll change trains at Zweisimmen to the more scenic train. This way, you get to ride on two scenic trains.

Debbie, See my reply in your other Thread. I hadn't seen this one at the time I posted.

You can go from Lugano to Zermatt in a little over 5 1/2 hours, using the Glacier Express route from Goschenen onward. You would change trains, at a minimum, at Bellinzona and Goschenen. You will however, miss what is reputed to be the most scenic portion, which is between Andermatt and Disentis. Larry has provided a way to include that, by adding an out-and-back from Goschenen to Disentis that would add about 3 hours to your journey. This is 3 hours that you could be spending on the ground in Zermatt, walking or taking lifts to viewpoints, assuming the weather is nice. Which is better depends entirely on your preferences. Another option, which is a variation of what Ken suggested on your other thread, would be the Bernina Express, which is the most scenic of the "scenic" routes. If you do this, I would sugget you skip Lugano and go directly to Tirano from Varennait is a short train trip. Transfer there to the Bernina Express and ride as far as Pontresina (or St. Moritz if you prefer) to spend the night. The next day you can ride the whole length of the Glacier Express and still get to Zermatt with some (but not much) daylight left if you start early. But this option has you spending a lot more time on the train. From Zermatt, Larry's suggestion of the trturn to Brig and picking up the Golden Pass route at Spiez is a good one-you'll get more lovely mountain scenery before heading down to the lake at Montreux.

Thanks Larry & Lola. Question on the trains. We have decided to take your suggestion to take the Bernina Express. We want to go directly from Varenna to Tirano. Will this train be easy to find when we get to the station at Varenna? Is there a name for the train, or is there a website for it? Do I need to get tickets in advance? How long is this train ride? Then the same day - when we get to Tirano we will transfer to the Bernina Express and ride as far as Pontresina to spend the night. Do we need to get tickets for the Bernina Express in advance? Will that train be easy to find at he Tirano station? How can I find out what time the first train from Varenna will arrive in Tirano so that we can pick up the next departing Bernina Express train? The next day we want to pick p the Glacier Express. Can we get on it in Pontresina, or do we have to get it in St. Moritz? We will be on the Glacier Express all day that day, and spend the night in Zermatt. Any good hotel suggestion that's nice but not too expensive? The next day we will leave Zermatt per Larry's suggestion - by returning to Brig and picking up the Golden Pass route at Spiez and arriving in Montreux. What is the name of the train that will take us from Zermatt to Brig? Will it be easy to find at the Zermatt station? Then when we arrive Spiez, will it be clear which train is the Golden Pass route? Is there a website for that? I'm concerned about having to wait a long time for the GP train once we arrive in Spiez. Thanks, appreciate all your help!

From Varenna to Tirano is an easy trip of 1 hour 16 minutes with no changes. Right now that train runs every two hours, leaving Varenna at 9:24, 11:24, 13:24, etc. Varenna is a very small station and there are only two tracks, one for each direction. Just make sure you know which dirrection-it is to the left (north) as you face the tracks! There will lilkely be other people there so you won't make a mistake. The Varenna station is unmanned and the ticket machine usually doesn't work (if there even is one). Everyone buys their tickets at the travel agent that is clearly marked on the path to the station (if you appropach on foot), a few blocks away. If you are taking a taxi to the station, get your tickets beforehand. And be sure to stampt them before boarding the train. In Zermatt, it is hard to find moderately priced hotels. I would love to stay at the Coeur des Alpes, but couldn't afford it with my whole family. for just 2, it might work. You can also check the listings on www.zermatt.ch, it will show price and availabliity for your date. From Zermatt to Spiez you do not need to return to Brig. You can go from Zermatt to Visp on the only train that leaves Zermatt, and change there for a train directly to Spiez. This one goes through a longer tunnel than the Brig route but it is faster. You can see all of these routes and schedules on the Swiss rail site, www.rail.ch

Thanks for your help, Lola. One more question - could you tell me approximately how long it will take on the train from Zermatt to Visp to Spiez to Montreux? how many total hours that is? We will leave Zermatt as early as possible in the morning, and wondering if we can arrive in Montreux before noon?

Debbie As Lola said above, if you put in your times into www.rail.ch you can get all those times.