Scenic train routes from Interlaken to Lugano
A traveler named Dedsoccer is planning a scenic train trip from Interlaken to Lugano and is curious about the best route. They are considering the Interlaken to Brig to Domodossola then to Locarno on the Centrovalli line, and want confirmation if this route is fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass. After spending three days in Lugano, they intend to continue to Pontresina on the Bernina Express.
- You have two great scenic route options: Via Regio Lotschberger and Centovalli Railway, or via Golden Pass line and Gotthard Panorama Express.
- The Swiss Travel Pass is valid on all these routes, but for the Gotthard Panorama Express, a seat reservation is needed if you have a 2nd class pass.
- The Centovalli Railway is partly closed, so check for a replacement bus service if needed.
AI-generated summary-
I am interested in the most scenic train route from Interlaken to Lugano.
I am wondering if it is Interlaken to Brig to Domossola, then to Locarno on the Centrovalli line?
If so, is that route fully covered by the Swiss Pass?
Am I overlooking a better route? We will depart Lugano and head on the Bernina Express to Pontresina after 3 days in Lugano.
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Hi Dedsoccer,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
From Interlaken to Lugano, you have 2 scenic route options.
1. Via Regio Lotschberger and Centovalli Railway.
First you travel from Interlaken to Brig via Spiez (Regio Lotschberger), then Brig to Domodossola, then Domodossola to Locarno (Centovalli line) and finally Locarno to Lugano.2. Via the Golden Pass line and Gotthard Panorama Express.
First you travel from Interlaken to Lucerne on the Golden Pass line. In Lucerne you switch to the Gotthard Panorama Express to Lugano. This includes a boat journey from Lucerne to Flüelen, then from Flüelen to Lugano by 1st class train. If you have a tight schedule, you can skip the boat and just take a regular train to Flüelen to board the GPE train.Please click on the links for more details about each scenic train. Be sure to use the SBB timetable to check train schedules and plan your journey.
The Swiss Travel Pass is valid on all these routes. If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, all you need is just seat reservations and seat upgrade on the Gotthard Panorama Express (if you have a 2nd Class STP). Seat reservations on the other trains are optional.
Let us know if you need more info.
regards,
Anna
I agree with Anna on the two options, but just to point out that for option 2, the Interlaken – Luzern train is not the true ‘Golden Pass’ line, but rather the Brunig pass railway with an hourly service dubbed ‘Luzern – Interlaken Express’ (the true ‘Golden Pass’ is Zweisimmen – Montreux)
http://www.zentralbahn.ch/en/interlaken-express
Also from Luzern to Lugano, you don’t need to take the 1st class only with supplementary fare Gotthard Panorama Express. You can take any Treno Gottardo train across the Gotthard railway at normal prices.
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/experiences/treno-gottardo/
For option 1 (The Centovalli Railway) note that the railway is partly closed for the foreseeable future:
http://www.vigezzinacentovalli.com/en/
http://www.vigezzinacentovalli.com/en/news-eventi/Bus-sostitutivi.html
Hi 1960man,
Thanks for the heads up!
According to the website, during this interruption there will be a replacement bus service via the lake.
Regards,
Anna
Hi Dedsoccer,
Both routes would be great.
The 1st option with the northern Golden Pass leg (https://www.myswissalps.com/goldenpass/gettingthere) and the Centovalli railway (https://www.myswissalps.com/centovalli/gettingthere) will take a bit less time than the 2nd one. The entire trip Interlaken Ost-Lugano via this route would normally take about 5h25. The replacement buses along the Italian leg are mentioned in the Swiss timetable, but the exact additional time is not incorporated in it, so you’ll have to count on some extra time.
As for the 2nd option: I personally enjoyed the Gotthard Panorama Express train a lot. It was a comfortable experience with very kind staff and interesting information. You can read about panoramic trains versus the Treno Gottardo at https://www.myswissalps.com/gotthardpanoramaexpress.
If you’d like to do the full Gotthard Panorama Express boat + train experience, know that the boat leaves from Lucerne at 11:12 (see the link at https://www.myswissalps.com/gotthardpanoramaexpress/gettingthere). You’ll be in Lugano by 16:41. If you catch the 9:04 train from Interlaken Ost, you’ll be in Lucerne at 10:55. The boats leave right across the railway station, so that’s an easy transfer: https://www.myswissalps.com/boatlakelucerne/gettingthere.
You can check the Swiss Travel Pass validity by downloading the map and browsing the list of covered activities at https://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity.
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