15471 posts
Hi Miguel, welcome to MySwissAlps!
You’ll find this explained here: myswissalps.com/ wilhelmtellexpress/ tickets.
72625 posts
Hi Miguel, I was working on same issue. If you booking in US, Rail Europe’s the only reseller. They wanted a reservation fee of around$70-$75 per person on top of travel pass(includes lunch aboard the boat) and fee of upgrade to 1st class on train option paid locally in Fluelen. Second class Swiss Travel Pass requires upgrade to 1st class. for Wilhelm Thell Express Ride. We have first class Travel Pass, but our problem was early last departure of boat Willhelm Thell) from Lucerne to Fluelen: 11;15am and we wanted to spend at least 1/2 day in Lucerne.
On Arno’s suggestion, doing same trip, not under “willhelm Thell” by taking other boat from Lucerne to Fluelen (last boat 3:15pm), then taking one of trains to Lugano. both are free with any Swiss travel Pass. Not sure if Fluelen to Lugano train requires reservation.
15471 posts
That will indeed work, and you don’t need any reservations. It will even work on the “official” Wilhelm Tell Express. Reservations are not required there either. The upgrade is optional, see the page I linked to.
Enjoy the ride!