[Swede4life]

7 April 2022 at 16:36:07 #826797

Hi, we will traveling by train (with Swiss Travel Pass) from Luzern to Zermatt on the morning of July 16th. Option 1 includes traveling through Bern with a stop at Visp and overall trip taking 3 hours 14 minutes. Option 2 is to through Andermatt, Visp to Zermatt taking about 5.5 hours.

When we arrive in Zermatt is not important. We want the most scenic route. Which is the most scenic route and also which side of the train should we sit on? Do regional trains have open windows to take photo’s? Thanks. Larry

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[User]

Reply 1 of 6 • 7 April 2022 at 17:35:18 #940226

Hi Larry,

From Andermatt to Zermatt – that is part of the Glacier Express route, you can read about it here: http://www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress/gettingthere.

If you choose the first option, do not travel via the Lötschberg-Basistunnel, try to avoid it. If you travel via Kandersteg and Brig, your route will be longer but also more scenic, search for that route in the timetable. Details are herre: https://www.myswissalps.com/lotschberger.

Regarding the photography, this older thread might be useful for you: http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/photo-buff-best-scenic-train-without-glare.

Ildiko

[User]

Reply 2 of 6 • 8 April 2022 at 0:40:56 #940227

There are three or four practical ways from Luzern to Zermatt

1) Direct inter city route via the Swiss plateau (Mittelland)

Luzern – Bern (change)

Bern – Visp (change)

Visp – Zermatt

1a) as above but Bern – Kandersteg – Brig over the BLS Lotschberg mountain route, then Brig – Visp – Zermatt

2) The ‘Lakes / Berner Oberland’ route

narrow gauge Luzern – Interlaken express (change Interlaken Ost)

main line train Interlaken – Spiez (change)

Inter city Spiez – Visp (change)

Visp – Zermatt

2a) as above but Spiez – Kandersteg – Brig via BLS; Brig – Zermatt

3) ‘Gotthard/Goms’ route

Luzern – Goeschenen (Treno Gottardo Inter regional train)

Narrow gauge SchoellenenBahn gorge railway Goeschenen – Andermatt

MGB regional train Andermatt – Brig – Visp – Zermatt

The only trains on any of the above routes that still has opening windows is the regional train Goeschenen – Andermatt – Brig

[BibiL]

Reply 3 of 6 • 8 April 2022 at 12:14:24 #940228

Dear 1960man,

Would you have the approximate total travel duration of the 4 options that you outlined – from Lucerne to Zermatt?

Thanks

[Swede4life]

Reply 4 of 6 • 8 April 2022 at 13:01:15 #940229

1960 Man and Ildiko. Thank you. I have played with The SSB Timeline several times. I am still thinking about which route we will take: Since it appears scenery is good on all the routes; do I select speed (3 hrs 14 minutes) Bern-Visp-Zermatt or some other route. I have to think about this unless you have a perspective about most scenic.

[Anna]

Reply 5 of 6 • 8 April 2022 at 21:08:50 #940230

Hi BiBiL,

These are the approximate travel time for each route suggested by 1960man.

1. Lucerne – Zermatt via Bern fastest option 3 h 15 min

2. Lucerne – Zermatt via Bern and Kandersteg 4 h 50 min

3. Lucerne – Zermatt via Interlaken Ost 4 h 8 min

4. Lucerne -Zermatt via Interlaken Ost and Kandersteg 5 h 30 min

5. Lucerne – Zermatt via Andermatt 5 h 50 min

You can use the SBB timetable to check for suitable departure times.

Regards,

Anna

[BibiL]

Reply 6 of 6 • 9 April 2022 at 6:17:22 #940231

Many thanks, Anna.