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Hi, we will be travelling to Switzerland in end January 2020 landing in Zurich. My family and I plan to make a trip from Lucerne to Zermatt. on 27 January 2020. Can you help to suggest what is the best way? We definitely want to try the Glacier Express. But I can only see Glacier Express from Andermatt to Zermatt. Are the train facilities friendly as we will be carrying 2 medium size luggages and 1 cabin bag. Will there by many stopover for changing of trains?
Thank you very much.
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Hi Susan siek,
Welcome to MySwissAlps!
Yes, it is possible to do the Glacier Express from Lucerne to Zermatt. You can either take the regular train or the Gotthard Panorama Express from Lucerne to Göschenen, change to the cogwheel train in Andermatt and from there get on the Glacier Express to Zermatt. Another option is to take the regular train from Lucerne to Chur and board the Glacier Express from there.
Please refer to the SBB timetable for train departures and arrivals. The Glacier Express route is explained in detail below. Link to information about travelling with luggages on the train is also included below.
- Glacier Express: http://www.myswissalps.com/gl acierexpress/gettingth ere
- Gotthard Panorama Express: http://www.myswissalps.com/go tthardpanoramaexpress
- SBB timetable:http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable
- Travelling with luggage: http://www.myswissalps.com/tr ain/practical/luggage
Be sure to check the various rail passes available as you plan your itinerary.
- Swiss railpasses: http://www.myswissalps.com/sw issrailpasses
- Zurich: http://www.myswissalps.com/zu rich
- Lucerne: http://www.myswissalps.com/lu cerne
Best regards,
Anna
Hello Susan,
By far the best way to check timetables, find fares* and buy tickets on-line if required is using the SBB Mobile app (bit.ly/2ICIUHi). In the unlikely event you don’t have a device capable of running the app then you can use the timetable on the SBB website (bit.ly/2HH1U7B). If you are not familiar with using the timetable it will pay to first read the instructions at http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable.
* The SBB website shows half-fare prices by default, the mobile app allows you to nominate whether to show full or half-fares (by editing the passenger details in settings) and is also smart enough to offer you the Saver Day Pass (http://www.myswissalps.com/sa verdaypass) if that offers the best fare. The app also show a platform map (at least at the larger stations) to help you make conections.
Based on your personal itinerary you should read “How to choose the best travel pass” (http://www.myswissalps.com/tr ain/ticketspasses/prac tical/chooserailpass), download the handy spreadsheet calculator and do the math. The spreadsheet also includes links to the “Where it’s valid” page for all available passes. Be sure to check those pages for each pass you are considering. Study the map AND read all the text on those pages to fully understand what is covered by the respective pass.
See attached screen shot from SBB app for your proposed trip.
You can also follow the route on regular trains if the timing of the GEX doesn’t suit. The Gotthard Panorama Express does not run at that time of year.
An alternative is to go Luzern to Zermatt via Interlaken and Kandersteg but without knowing more about your overall itinerary it is difficult to offer more targeted advice.
Attachments:Thanks Anna. We may travel around within towns and city. Also plan to include Mont Blonc to take the cable cars. Will the Swiss Travel Pass or the Swiss Travel Pass Flex? Sametime we wish to try the Glacier first class. Not sure how this two can compliment each other…
Between, We have a 10 years old child traveling with us..
Many thanks
Thanks Rockoyster. I found the app you share very useful. We only plan to that particular ride only but will look at the option routes you mentioned,.. we re not too adventurous travelers…
Many thsnks.
Hi Susan,
For a 10-year old you would want to get a (free) Swiss Family Card in conjunction with the Swiss Travel Pass (Flex). Your child can then travel free but would need a seat reservation along with the adults on the Glacier Express.
If you are travelling with a 2nd Class Swiss Travel Pass but want to travel 1st Class on any particular trip you can buy a Class upgrade at any SBB station or using the SBB Mobile App or here bit.ly/2rZEIXh. You need to buy a route specific upgrade.
If you buy on line you need to nominate a Half-fare Card reduction to get the correct price (using either website of SBB app). An upgrade will cost half the difference between 1st and 2nd class full-fares.
Thank you so much for your advise, Rockoyster. Really appreciate it. I ll explore it further.
I had gone through the Swiss Tavel Pass Flex. Stated good for Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Gotthard Panorama Express.
Does it mean I cannot use this Swiss Travel Pass Flex for the regular train, or the Cogwheel Train ?
Rockoyster, I don’t seems to be able to derive the breakdown stop/route that you have attached( pls see attached). I am trying to work out option Lucern to Chur to Zermatt, to see if I can get less change over train.
Thank you.
Attachments:
The Swiss Travel Pass Flex cover most of the country. You need to look at the map you can download at http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpassflex/vali dity.
To go via Chur you need to look for Luzern to Zermatt via Chur and Andermatt.l
Hello Susan siek,
Thank you for your questions!
You may use the Swiss Travel Pass Flex on the regular trains and with the cogwheel trains it is discounted at 50% off. I will attach the links to help you with the details of the Swiss Travel Pass Flex.
Swiss Travel Pass Flex:
- http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpassflex
- http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpassflex/vali dity
When you are at the train timetable connection, it asks you to enter “Via” you enter Chur, and there you will have the listed train connections.
There is also the Glacier Express train that has the least amount of train transfers. Just a side note: currently the Glacier Express isn’t running due to its low season break. The trains are not running between 14.10. to 14.12.2019
So if you are checking the options with today’s date in the timetable, you won’t see the direct Glacier Express connection between Chur and Zermatt. You will have to enter your travel date in late January to see the Glacier Express train timetable.
There is also another option with the regular trains, and it also has less train transfers. You don’t need to stop in Chur. You would take the train from Lucerne -> Bern -> Visp -> Zermatt
This is the quickest journey and it’s approximately 3 hours and 14 minutes.
I hope this clears things up!
Best regards,
Suzanne
Thank you Rockoyster.
Thanks Suzanne.
Hi, sorry for the many questions. I tried to book the Swiss Travel Pass 4 days for 2 adults. Even I had reached the payment section, there was no selection for the Swiss Family Card for me to add on. Can you help on this? I m buying direct from SBB website.
Thank you.
Hello Susan,
Has your issue been solved in the meantime?! Did you manage to purchase your Swiss Travel Pass plus Swiss Family Card?!
The SBB page is geared more for Swiss residents and can thus sometimes not work quite adequately from abroad, make sure you check out the retailers listed below:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass/price
– http://www.myswissalps.com/sw issfamilycard/priceBest and happy journey.
StephHello Rockoyster, thanks for the guide line. I managed to get it now.
Hello Steph, I manage to get it now. Thanks.
Does the STP usable for Golden Pass Line. I am getting more confuse the more I read the option available..
Hello Susan,
To see the exact validity of the Swiss Travel Pass see below link and also make sure you check the pdf map provided:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass/validityThe answer btw is YES, it covers the Golden Pass train ride.
Best,
Steph
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