[Wop]

10 May 2026 at 7:08:01 #2796753

I am planning to travel by train from Rome to Zermatt (in June 2027) and then take route 3 as suggested by Arno but in reverse ie  (Zermatt to Zurich) via Lauterbrunnen, Spiez, Interlaken, Lucerne.

https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-guide/zermatt-zurich/

I was originally going to fly to Zurich and travel down to Zermatt but I would like to go to London after and it seems easier to fly from Zurich. I have 2 x questions as follows:

1. Can I get off and stay overnight at Lucerne and and get back on the following day?
2. Do I need to purchase the swiss travel pass or is there a cheaper option?

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[Arno]

Reply 1 of 2 • 10 May 2026 at 8:20:36 #2796756

Hi Wop,

Welcome to MySwissAlps! Lauterbrunnen is not part of that route, but you can include it as a side trip from Interlaken if you have time.

1. No problem, as long as you have train tickets for both days, or a Swiss Travel Pass.

2. Which pass is best depends on your total number of trips, including excursions. With a Swiss Travel Pass, the Swiss portion of the Rome to Zermatt trip would be included, as well as discounts on cable car rides in Zermatt. You’ll find more details here:

• https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/
• https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/tickets/compare/
• https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-guide/italy-switzerland/

Zurich to London is easily done by train, by the way. Only one change in Paris, which takes time, but you’ll travel city center to city center with no need to get to and from airports. The Swiss portion of this trip would also be included in the Swiss Travel Pass.

https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-guide/france-switzerland/

If there’s no need to visit Zurich you could even bypass it and take a train straight from Lucerne to Basel, then the high-speed train to Paris, and the next one to London.

P.S. I noticed you unsubscribed from all our e-mails. I’m not sure if that’s intended, but that also means you won’t be notified anymore when you receive a reply here in the forum.

[Roger Sexton]

Reply 2 of 2 • 10 May 2026 at 15:25:06 #2796759

Hello Wop

As a footnote to Arno’s answer, I would add that there are also French high speed trains (TGVs) from Lausanne to Paris, and Geneva to Paris.  Going via Basel is the quickest route from Lucerne to Paris.  But you might find that via Lausanne or Geneva is cheaper.  (There is an hourly through train ,the IR15, from  Lucerne to Geneva via Lausanne.)

Best wishes
Roger