Best scenic train route from Zermatt to Lucerne ?
A traveler from Australia is planning a Christmas trip to Zermatt, then traveling by train to Lucerne, Montreux, and ending in Geneva. They want advice on the best scenic route from Zermatt to Lucerne, considering they might not have time for the Glacier Express.
- Travel from Zermatt to Lucerne via Kandersteg to enjoy scenic views and avoid long tunnels.
- Use the Swiss railways timetable to plan your trip effectively and consider the Golden Pass route for beautiful scenery.
- The Swiss Travel Pass Flex allows you to hop on and off trains without fixed reservations, ideal for flexible travel.
- Consider a 15-day Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited travel on most days, providing better value if you plan to see multiple areas.
AI-generated summary-
My Family from Australia will be in Zermatt for Christmas then we will travel by train to Lucerne then on to Montreux then finish in Geneva. We’re wondering which is best scenic route from Zermatt to Lucerne – not sure have time for Glacier Express?
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Hi SueHerb3 and welcome to MySwissAlps!
The Glacier Express (http://www.myswissalps.com/gl acierexpress/gettingth ere) doesn’t go to Lucerne or very close to it so I would try and do that trip.
You will be on part of the Glacier Express route between Zermatt and Brig and from there I’d head up to Lucerne via Kandersteg on the Lötschberg Line. Once in Spiez take the Golden Pass route to Lucerne via Interlaken.
Use the Swiss railways timetable to plan the trip. Enter Zermatt to Lucerne VIA Kandersteg. Going via Kandersteg keeps you out of a very long tunnel which limits what you will see. 🙂 http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable. Also add VIA Meiringen for the Golden Pass route. Ignore any connections with buses, take the train only option.
In Zermatt you are closer to Geneva and Montreux, so your trip to Luzern will be going East to come back west – is this a deliberate plan?
Would it be possible to do Luzern first then Zermatt Montreux – Geneva?
Thank you for suggestions. Yes I agree going to Lucerne before Zermatt would have been a better option but meeting family in Zermatt on 21st and don’t have time to do Lucerne first – I was originally going to go from Lucerne back to Zürich but plans have changed. Read that could go from Zermatt to Andermatt then Andermatt to Goschenen on cogwheel train then Goschenen to Lucerne ? Would this be worth doing and how long would this take? Also will be in Switzerland about 2 weeks so was thinking of getting 4 day Flexi pass does this mean I can travel for free on 4 days don’t need to lock in times or book trains? Will we get a seat easily?
Hi Sue,
Yes, when traveling on the Swiss Travel Pass Flex most routes are fully covered and you just hop on and find a seat. If the route is only discounted then a ticket needs to be bought before boarding. See coverage areas here: http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpassflex/vali dity
Reservations are very uncommon on Swiss trains, except on panoramic trains:
- http://www.myswissalps.com/ac tivities/scenictrips/t rain
- http://www.myswissalps.com/tr ain/reservations
I’d also look at other rail pass options for a 2 week trip. Unless you are not traveling by public transit except for those 4 days on the STP Flex. But I would guess that is unlikely.
A 15 day Swiss Travel Pass (consecutive) is an extra 175chf but then you get free trips on most train, bus and boat routes as well as discounts on others (mountain cable cars) every day you are in Switzerland.
Read more about choosing the best rail pass here: http://www.myswissalps.com/tr ain/ticketspasses/prac tical/chooserailpass
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