[Anonymous]

19 December 2019 at 6:52:30 #824690

I am going to be staying in Lucerne from February 14th thru the 17th, 2020. I want to take a scenic train on Sunday the 16th. I am choosing Sunday mainly because I understand that a lot of stores are closed on that day making it the best day to take a train ride. What is the best same day round trip scenic train to take??? How many hours would the ride take?

Thank you!

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[rockoyster]

Reply 1 of 6 • 19 December 2019 at 9:47:17 #926622

Hello TrainMe,

Go from Luzern to Bern via Meiringen and Interlaken and come back via Langnau.

Or just go to Interlaken and head to Lauterbrunnen. From Lauterbrunnen a very nice circuit to do is to Grütschalp (cable car), Mürren (train), Gimmelwald (cable car), Stechelberg (cable car), Lauterbrunnen (bus). From Mürren you can easily visit Schilthorn (don’t miss The Thrill Walk at Birg).

I recommend using the SBB Mobile app (bit.ly/2ICIUHi) for checking train, bus, boat and cable way timetables, finding fares* and buying tickets on-line if required. In the unlikely event you don’t have a device capable of running the app then you can use the timetable on the SBB website (bit.ly/2HH1U7B). If you are not familiar with using the SBB timetable it is worth first reading the instructions at http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable.

* The SBB website shows half-fare prices by default, the mobile app allows you to nominate whether to show full or half-fares (by editing the passenger details in settings) and is also smart enough to offer you the Saver Day Pass (http://www.myswissalps.com/saverdaypass) if that offers the best fare. The app can also display a platform map (at least at the larger stations) to help you make connections. You can also easily filter modes of transport (eg bus or ship).

The app (or website) will always show the fastest, most direct routes unless you tell it you want to go a longer way round by including other stations to go VIA. For example, if you wanted to follow the Golden Pass route you would need to search the SBB app looking for Luzern to Montreux via Interlaken and Zweisimmen.

[Thereseanne]

Reply 2 of 6 • 19 December 2019 at 14:58:37 #926623

I agree with Rockoyster, and you could also add Wengen, a quaint walking town and UNESCO site, once back in Lauterbrunnen. The cog wheel ride is very short, but beautiful, and gives a sense of the valley from another perspective.

[Anna]

Reply 3 of 6 • 20 December 2019 at 9:08:25 #926624

Hi TrainMe1966,

Welcome to MySwissAlps!

For sightseeing tips in Lucerne, do visit this page: http://www.myswissalps.com/lucerne/activities

For information on scenic trips: http://www.myswissalps.com/activities/scenictrips. You can narrow down your search to the Lucerne area using the drop-down menu options provided.

Hope that helps!

Regards,

Anna

[User]

Reply 4 of 6 • 20 December 2019 at 19:10:34 #926625

Thanks everyone for the replies and ideas. Going to Bern sounds like a good option. Is it possible to go to Lugano and back on the Bernina Express from Luzern in one day? We were in the Geneva and Interlaken area on our last visit, it is very GORGEOUS but I was hoping to go in the direction of Lugano. We already have our hotel booked in Luzern and we do not want to change that. If it is not an easy day trip please let me know.

thank you!!

[rockoyster]

Reply 5 of 6 • 20 December 2019 at 19:36:12 #926626

You can go from Luzern to Lugano for a day trip. But going via the Bernina Express (which would be a very long trip) is a problem because the bus from Lugano to Tirano does not commence operations until 20 February.

If you do go to Lugano go one way via Göschenen so you cover the same route as the Gotthard Panorama Express. Return via the direct route via the Gotthard Base Tunnel (default route offered by timetable search).

Another day trip option is to go via Göschenen to Andermatt. Then follow the Glacier Express route to Chur and return to Luzern. You will go over the Oberalp Pass which should be impressive in February snow.

[Anna]

Reply 6 of 6 • 20 December 2019 at 20:37:31 #926627

Hi TrainMe1966,

I would go with rockoyster’s first suggestion: take the regular train to Lugano via Göschenen (about 3.5 hours) and come back via the tunnel (roughly 2 hours). It’s probably not as scenic as Bernina Express but you spend less time on the train and more time exploring Lugano, maybe go on boat rides on the lake and visit the local mountain Monte San Salvatore. Perhaps you could even make a short stop in Bellinzona on the way back.

• Lugano: http://www.myswissalps.com/lugano
• Boat trips on Lake Lugano: http://www.myswissalps.com/boatlakelugano
• Monte San Salvatore: http://www.myswissalps.com/montesansalvatore
• Bellinzona: http://www.myswissalps.com/bellinzona

Regards,

Anna