Gotthard Panorama Express midweek in May?

We will be traveling to Interlaken mid May. We planned to travel on the Gotthard Panaramo to Como on May 17 but I recently saw the Gotthard doesn't operate mid week until July. We want to take a scenic route, but what are the alternatives? We will have stayed two days in Lucerne already so we can take the boat ride on the lake a few days earlier. Is there a scenic but quicker route to Como if we bypass the boat to Fluelen? Perhaps head in another direction? We have only the one night in Como before going on to Venice in the morning, so I don't want to arrive there too late.

Thank you.

Hi Lnbsmith,

You can follow the same scenic route as the Gotthard Panorama Express from Fluelen on the regular trains - it just won't be a 'panoramic' train car. That is probably still the most scenic option for you to Como.

To search for train options on this route, go to the timetable page here, and enter Flüelen and Bellinzona. Once you get the results you will need to enter the via-station Göschenen to be sure to travel via the right
route (otherwise you take the very UN-scenic Gotthard tunnel).

Lucas

Hi Lucas,

How does the Lötschberg/Cenotovalli, Interlaken - Spiez - Brig - Domodosola - Locarno - Bellinzona - Como, compare in scenic value to the Luzern - Göschenen - Como (non GPE) trip?

This guy jerrygarrett.wordpress .com/2013/03/15/switze rlands-eight-greatest-train-rides/ said the Centovalli was a revelation (or words to that effect).

I haven't been on those trips to compare unfortunately!

I'll check with Arno to see if he has seen both areas! Most train trips you will find in this country don't disappoint!

Lucas

Hi Rockoyster,

I'm not sure what you mean with "non GPE trip", as the route Luzern-Göschenen-Lake Como is pretty much the Gotthard Panorama Express route. You may mean using regular trains rather than the panoramic Gotthard Panorama Express trains? Assuming this is the route you'd like to compare to the Centovallli line: it's actually pretty hard to compare them, as they're different and both charming in their own way. The Centovalli line is very romantic. It's a small train crossing lots of valleys on high viaducts, through a forested, green, landscape with an Italian atmosphere. Mountains are less high than along the Gotthard Panorama Express route, and I'd say the Gotthard Panorama Express in all offers more diversity in scenery and landscapes.

I hope this helps!

Hi Annika,

You have interpreted and answered my query perfectly. Much appreciated.