[Removed user]

11 December 2018 at 13:23:12 #819159

Dear Forum, We are from Australia and booked the following dates and destinations to experience rail in Switzerland…however we did not realise the Gotthard Panorama does not operate in January. Open to any urgent advice to allow us to still see the most beautiful highlights of Switzerland in Jan. 21 Jan Bologna to Lugano, 22 Jan Lugano to Lucerne, 23 Jan Lucerne to Montreaux and 24 Jan Montreaux to Chamonix. This what we had planned, but now disappointed about the tunnel trip between Lugano to Lucerne. Could we do it differently? thank you for your help,

Effortlessly learn from the questions and answers in the forum. Receive a daily e-mail with new discussions. Sign up

[Removed user]

11 December 2018 at 17:16:47 #900230

Hi Ikigai55 and welcome to MySwissAlps!

You can still do the exact same route as the panoramic trains but on regional Swiss trains instead (and no reservations needed). We have detailed information on the route and the regional train option here: http://www.myswissalps.com/go tthardpanoramaexpress

You can use the Swiss railways timetable to plan out the trips: http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable

A Swiss Travel Pass, if you haven’t chosen it already, is a good idea for your plans I think: http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass

[Removed user]

11 December 2018 at 23:54:33 #900231

Thank you Lucas for your reply, would the following timetable be correct in giving us the most scenic route, Lugano /Bellinzona/Erstfeld/Fluelen?

From Fluelen to Lucerne would this be the bus along the lake? Is this easy as we will have all our luggage with us?Appreciate your help, this has been my dream and hoping to see as much as possible, many thanks Sue

[Removed user]

12 December 2018 at 1:10:19 #900232

Ignore the notion of the Gotthard Panorama Express.

Just travel Lugano – Luzern on the normal regional trains. From Fluelen, you can either switch to lake boat or continue by train via Arth Goldau.

Personally I am sceptical of the attraction of the Gotthard Panorama Express. It is an attempt to keep some tourism going on the Gotthard ‘mountain route’ since the rest of the fast trains now go through the base tunnel. However, you see mainly valleys not high mountains. Also it is reservation obligatory and first class only.

(It could also be argued that it is just a way of finding a use for very expensive panorama cars that Swiss Federal Railways bought but don’t have now have any other use for them…)!

Regional trains run direct from Milano/Como via Lugano over the Gotthard Mountain route to Erstfeld. Change at Erstfeld into a train to Luzern via Fluelen.

[Removed user]

12 December 2018 at 7:12:48 #900233

Yes, as long as you aren’t on a direct train from Lugano to Lucerne then you avoid the tunnel. Changing in Erstfeld is normal.

You can take a boat from Flüelen to Lucerne yes (you can also take a train). The boat ride is very scenic and you won’t have any issue taking luggage on board.

The boat dock is only a few minutes walk from Flüelen train station. If you want to be on the top deck you need an upgrade ticket to first class. This can easily be done upon boarding the boat (show your Swiss Travel Pass and ask for upgrade to first class).