Scenic train rides Zurich-Lucerne-Wengen-Zermatt-Lugano-Zurich
Angela and her husband are planning a 16-day trip to Switzerland in July, visiting Zurich, Lucerne, Wengen, Zermatt, Lugano, and back to Zurich. They seek advice on which trains to take between destinations for the best scenic views.
- Sit on the left side of the train from Zurich to Lucerne for great views of Lake Zurich and Zug.
- Use the Luzern-Interlaken Express, and sit on the right to enjoy panoramic views during the journey.
- For scenic travel from Domodossola to Locarno, take the Centovalli train.
- Consider the Treno Gottardo for scenic routes, but remember reservations are not needed.
- Check the Swiss timetable for accurate train schedules, especially between Lugano and Zurich.
AI-generated summary-
Hello,
My husband and I will be travelling in Switzerland for 16 days in July 2025. Our itinerary is as follows:
1. Fly into Zurich and travel to Lucerne
2. 3 nights in Lucerne
3. 4 nights in Wengen
4. 3 nights in Zermatt
5. 3 nights in Lugano
6. 2 nights in Zurich
What trains should we take between each destination to get the best scenic views?
Thanks!
Angela
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Hello Angela
Welcome to MySwissAlps
Thank you for sharing your travel plans with us.
From Zurich (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/zurich/) to Lucerne there is only one reasonable route (that via the town called ZUG), and it is quite scenic. Almost all the trains on this route are double deck. Make sure that on leaving Zurich main station you are sitting upstairs on the left hand side of the train. You will get good views over Lake Zurich and then Lake Zug.
From Luzern (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lucerne/) take the Luzern-Interlaken express. On leaving Luzern sit on the right, and do NOT change your seat when the train changes direction at Meiringen. At Interlaken Ost change to a local train bound for Lauterbrunnen. At Lauterbrunnen change to the Wengernalpbahn train to Wengen (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/wengen/).
From Wengen go back to Interlaken. Catch any train to SPIEZ. There change to the RE1 train to Brig via KANDERSTEG (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/lotschberg-mountain-railway/). If this train is going through to Domodossola, stay on the train. If the train terminates at Brig, get the next train (of whatever kind) to Domodossola. From Domodossola get the CENTOVALLI train (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/centovalli-railway/) to Locarno. From Locarno get a local train to Lugano.
From Lugano catch any train for the short journey to Bellinzona. Even if the train is bound for Zurich (it may well be) GET OFF AT BELLINZONA. Catch the hourly TRENO GOTTARDO service which heads north along the old Gotthard main line (opened in 1882) via Airolo and Goschenen. If this train is bound for Zurich, stay on it all the way. If the train is bound for Basel, you will need to change at Arth-Goldau.
Best wishes for your detailed planning.
Roger
Thank you for the detailed plans! I’m not seeing the description for getting to Zermatt after Wengen. Do you have some specific suggestion for that part of the trip? And then from Zermatt to Lugano?
Thanks!
Hello Angela
My apologies for missing out Zermatt! For Wengen to Zermatt go as follows:
From Wengen go back to Interlaken. Catch any train to SPIEZ. There change to the RE1 train to Brig via KANDERSTEG. Then take the narrow gauge train from Brig to Zermatt (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/zermatt/).
From Zermatt take the narrow gauge train down to Brig. From Brig take any train to Domodossola. From Domodossola get the CENTOVALLI train to Locarno. From Locarno get a local train to Lugano.
Very best wishes
Roger
Thank you so much Roger! This is super helpful. What is the best route to get back to Zurich from Lugano at the end of our trip?
Hello again
With reference to your reply 4
From Lugano catch any train for the short journey to Bellinzona. Even if the train is bound for Zurich (it may well be) GET OFF AT BELLINZONA. Catch the hourly TRENO GOTTARDO service which heads north along the old Gotthard main line (opened in 1882) via Airolo and Goschenen. If this train is bound for Zurich, stay on it all the way. If the train is bound for Basel, you will need to change at Arth-Goldau.
Best wishes for your detailed planning.
Roger
Hi angela,
Direct train service between Zurich and Lugano operates at regular intervals. The journey takes 2 – 3 hours. Please use the Swiss timetable (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/) to check train schedules.
Regards,
Anna
Hello Angela
There are indeed trains which go from Lugano to Zurich in just two hours. BUT, and it as very bIg BUT, these fast trains go through the Gotthard base tunnel. This tunnel is 57 kilometres (35 miles) long, and deprives you of an enormous amount of scenery. For the scenic route to Zurich via Airolo and Goschenen you MUST take the brown-painted Treno Gottardo. These trains leave Bellinzona at 59 minutes past each hour. The journey from Bellinzona to Zurich will take just under three hours. If the Treno Gottard is bound for Basel (those leaving Bellinzons at 07 59, 09 59, 11 59, 13 59, 15 59, 17 59) you change at Arth-Goldau for Zurich.
Very best wishes
Roger
Thank you Roger! This is exactly the information that I was looking for!!
Hi Angela! The scenic route used by the Treno Gottardo is the one also used by the Gotthard Panorama Express. You can learn all about the route, and about the Treno Gottardo, here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/gotthard-panorama-express/.
Hello again,
What is the difference between taking the Treno Gottardo versus the Gotthard Panorama Express? Do you recommend it over the Gotthard Panorama Express?
Thanks,
Angela
Hi angela,
The Treno Gottardo requires no seat reservation. All you need is a valid ticket or railpass.
To travel on the Gotthard Panorama Express, you will need to pay for a seat reservation in addition to having a valid ticket or a railpass. The train is 1st class only and if you have a 2nd class ticket or railpass, you will need to pay for an upgrade as well. You can find further information about the Gotthard Panorama Express from the link in Annika’s post above.
Regards,
Anna
Thank you Anna,
I read the post and found the information very in depth and helpful.
I have a couple more questions:
1. For our trip back to Zurich from Lugano, is there a way to incorporate part of the trip to include the Glacier Express with a stop in Moritz? And then which route would be the most scenic to Zurich from there?
2. We are thinking about taking the Golden pass route (using the Belle train) to go from Interlaken to Montreux, visiting Chillon Castle while there, and then taking the train to Zermatt from there. Is that doable in a day and if so, which train is the most scenic from Montreux to Zermatt?
Thank you so much for all of your advice and amazing website. I also love watching your videos!
Angela
Hello again Angela
This is getting very complicated.
Regarding your question 1 you could travel north from Bellinzona on the Treno Gottardo and get off at Goschenen. From there take the short ride up to Andermatt. From Andermatt GLACIER EXPRESS trains leave at 11 54, and 12 54. They take a bit under five hours to get to St Moritz. But note that you will have to pay a very high reservation charge. Do you want details of a journey from Andermatt to St Moritz using the ordinary hourly regional trains?
Spend the night in St Moritz. To reach St Moritz you will have travelled via Filisur and the Albula line. So leave St Moritz on an RE3 train bound for Landquart going via the Engadine line and Klosters. At Landquart you change onto a fast train to Zurich. Sit on the right.
Regarding question 2, what do you mean by the ‘Belle’ train? Do you mean the ‘Belle Epoque Train’? If you do mean that train, then your plan is not really doable. The Belle Epoque train leaves Zweisimmen at 12 02 and reaches Montreux at 14 17. Not enough time for a decent visit to Chillon and then the journey on to Zermatt. (There is only one route from Montreux to Zermatt. That is via VISP. The journey takes about 2 hours 40 minutes.)
Best wishes
Roger
Hi Angela,
Information regarding the Glacier Express and the GoldenPass route can be found in the links below.
- Glacier Express: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/glacier-express/
- GoldenPass: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/goldenpass/
Regarding question 2. I agree with Roger, I don’t think there will be enough time to enjoy Montreux and Chillon Castle, if you are heading to Zermatt afterwards.
It maybe a good idea for you to research a few of your train journeys so you can gauge journey times. That way you can see what you think is doable for yourself and your husband. Here’s the link to the Swiss timetable:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Thank you so much for all of the information!
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