Zurich, Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, Lugano, Lucerne – scenic trains
A traveler named Yoda is planning a trip to Switzerland with his 80-year-old mother and has booked several train journeys but needs advice on additional routes. They are looking for easy connections and recommendations for tourist trains, especially as they'll be traveling after a long flight and on a tight schedule.
- Use the SBB timetable to find the quickest train connections and consider longer interchange times for comfort.
- The Swiss Travel Pass covers many trains and allows for flexible travel without needing individual tickets.
- Sit on the left side of the Palm Express for the best views and bring snacks since there's limited food availability on board.
- Direct trains from Lucerne to Zurich are regional, so no reservations are needed if you have the Swiss Travel Pass.
AI-generated summary-
Hello,
I’ve booked several trains in order to create a nice itinerary for my mother, I hope. I got most of the tourist ones done but I do still need some help for some of the trains I don’t know, any advice would be greatly appreciated!
- Zurich to Interlaken: We will have just taken a transatlantic red eye flight and will just want to get there as easily as possible. What train would you recommend?
- Interlaken to Montreux: I was able to book a late afternoon seat on the Golden pass
- Montreux to Zermatt: What would you recommend for a tourist train?
- Zermatt to St-Moritz: I was not able to get a direct seat reservation on the Glacier Express so booked seats on the Glacier Express going to Chur. But after arriving in Chur I will need to get from Chur to St.Moritz that same day as we have hotel reservations that night and leave on the Bernina the next morning.
- St-Moritz to Lugano: I was again not able to get seat reservations, so I got seats on the Bernina from St.Moritz to Tirano. But I need recommendations to get from Tirano to Lugano that same night since we have a hotel and leave the next morning.
- Lugano to Lucerne: I got tickets for the Gotthard express train and boat (finally, something easy! lol)
- Lucerne to Zurich: I need a train ticket that would be direct, I expect my 80 year old mom is going to be exhausted by then.
Thank you so much for any advice
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Hi Yoda,
>>> Zurich to Interlaken: We will have just taken a transatlantic red eye flight and will just want to get there as easily as possible. What train would you recommend?
Just use the SBB timetable and input Zürich Flughafen to Interlaken Ost (unless you are staying closer to Interlaken West). It will automatically generate the fastest connection. Type in Zuerich if you can’t type the Umlaut (dots) over the u.
There are a few direct connections, but most options will require one or more transfers along the way. Use the “Settings” feature to configure things to suit, e.g.:
- Longer interchange time: Adjust this if you feel that the automatically generated transfer time is not sufficient in view of your mother’s mobility. In general though, transfer times are not random – they are designed to be achievable.
- Travel comfort: Select Direct connections to see if any of the times they are available would suit you. Direct connections are not as frequent as those requiring changes.
The timetable is here:
Information on how to use it is here:
https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/
>>> Montreux to Zermatt: What would you recommend for a tourist train?
Just use the SBB timetable to find a suitable departure time. There’s only one way of getting from Montreux to Zermatt and you will need to change trains at Visp. These are regional trains and seats can’t be reserved – just hop on and take an available seat.
>>> Zermatt to St-Moritz … : I was not able to get a direct seat reservation on the Glacier Express so booked seats on the Glacier Express going to Chur. But after arriving in Chur I will need to get from Chur to St.Moritz that same day
I made a suggestion for your onward journey from Chur to St Moritz on your original thread:
https://www.myswissalps.com/community/thread/glacier-express-31/#post-1738365
(See the third paragraph). If this doesn’t suit you, please give us more information to assist with suggesting alternatives.
>>> St-Moritz to Lugano: I was again not able to get seat reservations, so I got seats on the Bernina from St.Moritz to Tirano.
If you weren’t able to get seat reservations, what do you mean by getting seats? If you don’t have reservations, you don’t have allocated seats, which means you just sit anywhere there is a vacant seat.
As you will have a Swiss Travel Pass, you don’t need a ticket either: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/bernina-express/#price
The fastest route from Tirano to Lugano is on the Bernina Express bus, which only leaves once per day and for which reservations are mandatory. It is probably sold out if the train it connects with is sold out. If this is the case, you will need to take a longer route via Italian trains, which will not be covered by your Swiss Travel Pass.
An alternative would be the Palm Express Postbus, which follows a very beautiful route through the mountains and alongside lakes from St Moritz railway station to Lugano railway station. The Postbus is very comfortable and luggage goes in the luggage compartment under the bus, so is not a problem. Reservations are compulsory, and it only departs once per day. It is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, even though part of the journey is through Italy.
https://www.postauto.ch/en/leisure-offers/excursion-tips/palm-express
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-au/experiences/palm-express/
If you can provide more information about this sector of your trip (e.g. date, time of departure and what you mean about getting seats on the Bernina) we can give you more precise advice.
>>> Lucerne to Zurich: I need a train ticket that would be direct, I expect my 80 year old mom is going to be exhausted by then.
Put From Luzern / To Zürich HB if you want to get off at Zürich main station. The SBB timetable will generate the fastest connections. Reservations aren’t possible, as this is a regional train, and you don’t need a ticket if you have a Swiss Travel Pass.
I hope this helps!
Alpenrose
I am a 76 year old Englishman who regularly visits Switzerland. I am not as quick on my feet as I used to be. My advice is designed to supplement Alpenrose’s excellent answers.
I would particulary stress that the whole Swiss public transport timetable is designed that trains, buses and boats interconnect with each other. As a train approaches a major station such as Bern, Visp, or Zurich Hauptbahnhof the conductor wiil (in German and then in English) read out a list of connecting trains, with the numbers of the platforms from which they depart. The same information will appear on the screens inside the train. In the unlikely event of your missing a connection you usually do not have to wait more than 30 minutes for the next train….
Day 1. Do not be afraid to change at Bern. There are through trains from Zurich Airport to Interlaken at 07 45; 10 45; 12 45; 14 45. If you just miss (say) the 0745 do not wait nearly three hours. Get the next intercity train to Bern and change there.
Day 3 Trains from Montreux to Visp are twice an hour. And they all connect with trains from Visp to Zermatt.
Day 4 I totally support everything Alpenrose (and I think Anna) have said. I would just add that trains from Chur to St Moritz are hourly at 58 past the hour. For the best views sit on the right hand side at the back of the train.
Day 5 I think your mom will be getting a bit tired by now. I would strongly support Alpenrose’s recommendation to take the Palm Express bus. Just four hours of splendid scenery, especially the stretch by Lake Como.
Day 6 The train/boat connnection at Fluelen is easy. About 200 yards from the station to the landing stage.
Day 7 In this year’s timetable there are no direct trains from Lucerne to Zurich Airport. The train from from Lucerne will arrive at Zurich Hauptbahnhof at a platform which is above ground. The trains to the airport go from platforms which are underground, usually platforms 33 or 34. There is not far to walk, and there are both lifts and escalators. Most trains to the airport are going through to destinations in north-east Switzerland or even southern Germany. Some trains have airport as their first stop. Others stop at Oerlikon before going on to the airport.
Dear Alpenrose, I cannot thank you enough for this! I am so much more confident about the trip now.
For Zurich to Interlaken, Lucerne to Zurich, Zurich to airport and Montreux to Zermatt I will make sure to have the schedules and know the routes prior to arriving and then we will just get on the trains without reservations (which makes me nervous because of the way trains work in my end of the world, but make me confident because it appears to be the norm in Switzerland).
For Zermatt to St.Moritz, I will definitely do what you have suggested in your original thread, I am not sure why I asked about it again as I had made that note.
And the wonderful news is that with your information I was able to get reservations on the Palm Express which is so wonderful! And I’ve always wanted to see Lake Como and now I will!
My only question about the Palm Express is that there was no reservation fee, is that normal? Otherwise I did get a reservation number, although no actual seat number.
Thank you again SO much, I don’t know how I would have managed all these last details without everyone’s help on these forums.
Hello Roger,
I want to thank you so much for your time and advice, I am especially grateful that you give me some advice that is good for my mom’s age. She is a hardy Canadian who enjoys her winter walks and is incredible and adorable, but she does indeed get tired quickly, and I too, with all the luggage, ha ha.
Bern transfer: It is good to know that the transfer will not be too difficult, as I would have indeed probably waited the 3 hours for the direct ride. You just saved me a lot of time 🙂
Boat Transfer: I appreciate knowing the distance between the train and boat, this was actually a concern of mine. I have also looked into sending the luggage from Zermatt to Lucerne with the SBB 2-day service for 12CHF. I think this will work really well for all these transfers since I unfortunately booked them in such a way that we are only in St.Moritz and Lugano one night and I am assuming they will be exhausting days. At first I was not concerned thinking to myself we would just be sitting on trains, but then realized we still need to get to the trains, drag our luggage, enjoy the ride, then find our hotels and start all over again the next morning… for 3 days.
Palm Express: I did book the Palm Express as AlpenRose suggested. This will definitely make it simpler than taking the Bernina train to Tirano and then the Italian trains to Lugano but I was a little sad since I had already paid for the Bernina reservations and was wondering if we would be missing out. But now that both of you have raved about the beauty seen from the Palm Express I am thrilled to have found a faster and direct commute.
Airport: Thanks for the info from Lucerne to Airport, I did however bank a day in Zurich so my mom could be rested before the 12 hour flight, so I will know to go down to the 33 / 34 platforms and won’t need a reservation.
Thanks again! Really appreciate it and hope you get to enjoy another trip to Switzerland soon too
Hi Yoda.
Thank you for your very kind words. A couple of additional points.
On your journey to Interlaken, note that the fast trains to Bern are at 08 and 45 past the hour from Zurich Airport. The trains leaving at 08 are going to Geneva. The trains at 45, if not going to Interlaken, will be going to Brig.
Regarding Zurich. As well as the Hauptbahnhof, (Hauptbahnhof is German for ‘Main Station’) there are a number of relatively smaller stations in Zurich, such as Oerlikon which I mentioned previously. Where have you booked your final night before flying home? If you are staying at an airport hotel, then fine! If you are staying elsewhere in Zurich, get back to me on this forum.
Very best wishes
Roger
Hi Yoda,
>>> My only question about the Palm Express is that there was no reservation fee, is that normal? Otherwise I did get a reservation number, although no actual seat number.
Yes, that’s normal. Postbus reservations are free and you don’t get allocated a specific seat. It is just a way to make sure that everyone on the bus will have a seat: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/bus/
As you don’t have an allocated seat, being there early and ready to board as soon as the driver permits will increase your chances of getting a good seat. Sit on the left if you can, for the best views.
There are lots of buses serving St Moritz station, so it might be worth locating the Palm Express bus stop when you arrive the previous afternoon. It is bus #631 and leaves from Stop D. Here is a plan of the bus stops outside St Moritz station:
https://engadinbus.ch/situationsplan
There is no toilet on the bus, but there are toilets at St Moritz station. You also get a 20 minute break at Chiavenna station en route, where there is a toilet in the station bar/cafe.
When I did that trip, there was not much on offer by way of sandwiches etc at the bar/cafe, so if you think you will be hungry before you get to Lugano, you will have a better choice at the migrolino store at St Moritz station before getting on the bus.
Have a great trip!
Alpenrose
Hi Yoda
I agree with everything Alpenrose says, but especially the point about the limited catering at Chiavenna. I was travelling Lugano to St Moritz. I was starving by the time I reached St Moritz. It was a sunny day in deep mid-winter. I was keen to go for a walk ON the lake. (That will of course not be possible in September!) But i had to get some food first.
Have a great trip
Roger
Hello AlpenRose and Roger,
Both of you have really made planning this trip turn around from me pulling out my hair to enjoying myself, thank you!
I will definitely bring some food for the Palm Express, thanks for the tip.
Roger, in answer to your question, in Zurich we will be staying at
- Konradstrasse 39, Zürich, ZH, 8005 Switzerland
Wishing you both a great day
Hi Yoda
It is great that you are staying in Konradstrasse. That street is just north of the Hauptbahnhof!If you are taking the train to the Airport, then, as I previously said, MOST trains to the Airport go from Platforms 33 and 34 and go on beyond the Airport to destinations in eastern Switzerland or even southern Germany.
However at 16 and 46 minutes past the hour there is a local service numbered S16 which terminates at the Airport! These S16 trains go from platforms 41 and 42. These platforms are also underground, but are CLOSER TO KONRADSTRASSE than platforms 33 and 34. The S16 train MAY be a rather old train painted dark blue. The CARRIAGE NEXT TO THE LOKOMOTIVE has step-free entrances, the other carriages do have steps. If the S16 train is a modern train (painted grey and white), all entrances are step free!
I hope this helps.
Best wishes – Roger.
Hello Yoda.
Thanks for the information as to where you are staying. I have just looked at the map, and I was delighted to see that Konradstrass is about 200 yards north of the Hauptbahnhof. (Sorry -This little message is repeating something I have already said!}
Thank you again to both of you, I will let you know how the trip goes, I am sure it will be fantastic! Thanks again
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