[Mermaid]

1 November 2026 at 7:46:24 #2799588

I had originally planned the EC164 panoramic car Alp view in mid November from Salzburg to Lucerne via Zurich.  However, the train has been suspended and routed through Munich which doesn’t have the Alps views.

what are my options? Should I consider the Goldenpass Express?

I will be based in Lucern for 6 days and also want to experience day trips.  I have a Swiss rail flex pass and am considering trips to mt rigi, mt palates, etc.  anything I should consider or must sees?

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[Roger Sexton]

Reply 1 of 1 • 1 November 2026 at 15:44:13 #2799596

Hello Mermaid

Welcome to MySwissAlps

Get out a good map which shows western Austria and Switzerland as far east as Zurich.

Concentrate on Scenic Routes NOT Scenic ‘Trains’.

Salzburg to Lucerne

The following routing is extremely scenic almost the whole way – and will be in daylight the whole way.

The timings I give are those for Monday 16th November.  I am HOPING that similar timings are available on your planned day of travel.

08 07 RJ551 Salzburg to Schwarzach St Veit, arrive there 09 03.

09 15 IR610 Schwarzach to Innsbruck, arriving there 11 48.

The next leg, the Austrian Arlberg Line, is the best bit of all.

Leave Innsbruck at 12 16 on RJX160 to SARGANS, arrive 14 49.  (This train crosses into Switzerland  at BUCHS.)

Cross platform change to the  14 57 ICE102 arriving Zurich at 15 53.   Sit on the right hand side of the train in the direction of travel.

At Zurich find the 16 10 IR70 train to LUZERN (the German name for Lucerne).  This will be a very long train, probably very busy.  Walk down to the front of the train and sit upstairs on the left-hand side in the direction of travel.   This train reaches Lucerne at 16 51 – still (just) in daylight

Excursions form Lucerne

I am assuming that by ‘Swiss rail flex pass’ you actually mean a Swiss Travel  Pass (Flex version).  The Swiss Travel Pass is not confined to trains.  It covers buses, boats and trams/streetcars.

https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass-flex/

Even in November there is a huge range of possible excursions from Lucerne.  The two I would particularly recommend are:

The Treno Gottardo to Locarno.  This train (IR26 every two hours) takes the OLD ‘Panoramic’ route southwards avoiding the 57 kms. Gotthard ‘Base’ tunnel.

The boat leaving Lucerne at 10 12 which goes all the way to Fluelen and back.  Arrives back at 15 47.

About the panoramic route: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/gotthard-panorama-express/

Golden Pass Express (I am assuming travel on a day around 17th November.)

Catch the 08 06 Luzern-Interlaken Express, arrive Interlaken Ost at 09 54.   Sit on the right hand side in the direction of travel , and do not change your seat when the train changes direction at Meiringen.

Catch the next available rail replacement bus for the short ride to Interlaken West.

Catch the 11 12 Golden Pass express to Montreux, arrive there 14 25.  If you want the ‘Prestige Class’ , then reservation is compulsory for that class.

https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/goldenpass/

Catch the next available train from Montreux to Lausanne (takes about 25 minutes).  Sit upstairs on the left-hand side in the direction of travel.

Catch from Lausanne the 15 40 IR15 train bound for Luzern via Bern, arriving Luzern at 18 01.  Sit on the right hand side in the direction of travel.

Kind regards

Roger