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We are originating our day… leaving Varenna, Italy on Sept. 12th and trying to figure out a way to arrive in Wengen (Lauterbrunen) that night. We thought we could do Bernina & Glacier Express but can’t seem to make connections. So now the plan is Gotthard Pass rail using the regional train (in the interest of time). But, where does this take you so that we could then take the Boat excursion down to Lucerne. And then is it the Golden Pass from there to Interlachen??? We have never been to Switzerland, & as you can see, I am confused about the rail connections. Please advise what route you would suggest. Looking for beauty, but not a 12 hour day to get to Wengen!! 🙂 Thanks for your help!!
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Hello Patti and Welcome to MySwissAlps,
This reminds me of the old joke which I’ll adapt the punchline of to result in “If you want to get to Wengen I wouldn’t start at Varenna”. 😉
The fastest route would be via Milan and Domodossola. Have a look at the map you can download from here to get a handle on the routes.
You can follow the Bernina Express route on regular trains from Tirano to Chur and then proceed to Luzern and Wengen. That’s going to take you well over 10 hours. Waiting for the actual Bernina Express in the afternoon will not get you to Wengen until very late.
The problem with the Gotthard Panorama Express is that you need get a 6:23 train from Varenna to make it to Lugano to catch the GPEX. See timetable. The train takes you to Flüelen where you join the boat to Luzern. From Luzern you can take the Luzern-Interlaken Express which does in fact form a part of the Golden Pass route (http://www.myswissalps.com/goldenpass). Again you can follow the GPEX route on regular trains if the timing doesn’t suit. And you can drop the boat leg – just go by train Lugano to Luzern via Göschenen.
You can get a boat from Varenna to Menaggio and an Italian bus from there to Lugano but I’m not sure of the timing of those. But see http://www.rome2rio.com/map/Menaggio/Lugano.
The Glacier Express is not for you unless you plan to throw in an overnight stop inSt Moritz or Chur after Varenna.
Will you have a travel pass? Based on your personal itinerary you should read “How to choose the best travel pass” (http://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/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.
For checking timetables see http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/checking-train-timetables.
Thankyou for all this valuable info.! Just wondering if there is a train, other than the Panoramic Express, from Lugano to the boat option to Lucerne… does the regular train use this route over Gothard Pass with better schedule options?? And yes, when I planned this trip I was completely ignorant of how long it takes to get from here to there!! I may need to make some adjustments!!!
Hi Trips4Patti,
Yes, there are plenty of regular trains to reach Flüelen, where the boat departs. Just be sure to take the right train, not an InterCity train across the long tunnel (with no views). Please see http://www.myswissalps.com/gotthardpanoramaexpress, and the timetable details at http://www.myswissalps.com/gotthardpanoramaexpress/gettingthere.
Thanks for the info. I went to this website, but I have no idea how to tell which are the InterCity trains through the tunnel & which are the ones with big windows and views?! Can you shed some light on this? Thanks!
Patti
An Inter City Train will be denoted IC and a Regional Train will be denote R or RE. If you go via Göschenen you will go on the R/RE trains if leave out the via then you’ll go through the tunnel on an R/RE/IC/EC train. All trains have reasonable sized windows and views. The GPEX is the only “panoramic” train with especially big windows.
Hi Trips4Patti,
For the Gotthard Panorama Express search for train between Flüelen and Lugano (via-station: Göschenen). Trains labeled PE (Panorama Express) are the Gotthard Panorama Express.
You can read about the differences between regional trains and the Gotthard Panorama Express at http://www.myswissalps.com/gotthardpanoramaexpress.
For the Gotthard Panorama Express you need 1st class ticket and seat reservation: http://www.myswissalps.com/gotthardpanoramaexpress/tickets.
Ildiko
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