Lugano to Wengen via Gotthard Panorama Express

  • Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    8 September 2019 at 21:03:35 #823788

    I will arriving in Lugano on 20 September 2019 & staying for 4 nights and traveling from Lugano to Wengen on 24 September 2019 and staying in Wengen for 5 nights. Then Lucerne 1 night and then depart from Zurich Airport. I believe that I have figured that the best combination is a Swiss Half-Card and a Jungfrau Regional Pass (probably 5 day for Lake Brienze & Thun boat access). Please explain the correct procedure for purchasing the Gotthard Panorama Express tickets so that I get the proper discount from the Half-Card and the Jungfrau Regional Pass. Thank you in advance!

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

    Luke
    Participant
    105 posts
    8 September 2019 at 23:44:42 #921933

    Hi CraigE,

    You can just show the ticket office your Swiss Half Fare Card (http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isshalffarecard) and Jungfrau Travel Pass (http://www.myswissalps.com/ju ngfrautravelpass) and they will apply the appropriate discount at time of purchase for the entire trip- simplest option for you.

    If you are looking to reserve seats (separate from a ticket) you can do so here: http://www.myswissalps.com/go tthardpanoramaexpress/ packages

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    8 September 2019 at 23:52:55 #921934

    Thank you Luke !

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    8 September 2019 at 23:53:09 #921935

    Hi Craig,

    What Luke said plus please note the Gotthard Panorama Express train is 1st Class only this year. It is also recommended to get a 1st Class ticket for the boat trip (if you are including that) so you get access to the upper deck. No reservations are needed for the boat leg.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    8 September 2019 at 23:53:35 #921936

    Omitted

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    8 September 2019 at 23:55:42 #921937

    Thanks Rockoyster! Is Gotthard Panorama Express train worth the additional expense versus a regular train following the same/similar path?

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    9 September 2019 at 0:21:06 #921938

    Hi Craig,

    . . . . can I buy the Jungfrau Regional pass in Lugano station

    Not sure if you can buy the Jungfrau Travel Pass in Lugano. This page says only at stations in the region but you can buy on-line.

    Have you looked at the Regional Pass Bernese Oberland which gets you from Luzern to Wengen for free? It’s discounted 25% with a Swiss Half-fare Card and has broader coverage than the Jungfrau Pass.

    Is Gotthard Panorama Express train worth the additional expense versus a regular train following the same/similar path?

    I quite enjoyed to commentary about the history of the line but everyone is going to have a different measure of whether the additional expense is worth it. The views are just the same either way.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    9 September 2019 at 0:39:36 #921939

    We are staying in Wengen and I’m not sure the Regional Pass Bernese Oberland will provide the same coverage for the cable cars. Also, I believe the discount for Jungfraujoch is greater with the Jungfrau Pass. Actually, it might be very close in entire cost. I need to look closely again at my spreadsheet & at the legs we will be anticipating. Thanks!

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    9 September 2019 at 1:31:55 #921940

    Assuming that I understand what is included in which pass correctly; here are my calculations of the overlapping portion of my trip in regards to the Jungfrau Pass with Half-Card vs. the Bernese Regional Pass with Half-Card. Any corrections in my calculations would be greatly appreciated!

    Pass price → 5 day Jungfrau with Half-Fare Card = CHF 295.00 Pass price → 6 Day Bernese Regional with Half-Fare Card = CHF 353.00

    Day 5 (9/24) – Lucerne – Interlaken Ost via Golden Pass line (single) Jungfrau Pass w/Half-Card = CHF 16.50 BO Regional w/Half Card = CHF 0.00

    Day 6 (9/25) – Wengen – Jungfraujoch – Wengen Jungfrau Pass w/Half Card = 68% discount = CHF 64.00 BO Regional w/Half Card =50% discount = CHF 100.00

    Day 7 (9/26) – Wengen to Männlichen (single) Jungfrau Pass w/Half Card = 100% = CHF 0.00 BO Regional w/Half Card = 50% discount CHF 11.50

    Day 7 (9/26) – Männlichen to Grindelwald (return) Jungfrau Pass w/Half Card = 100% = CHF 0.00 BO Regional w/Half Card = 50% discount = CHF 17.00

    Day 10 (9/29) – Wengen to Lucerne Jungfrau Pass w/Half Card = 50% = CHF 23.70 BO Regional w/Half Card = 100% = CHF 0.00

    Total for 5 Day Jungfrau Pass w/Half-Card = 295 + 16.50 + 64.00 + 0 + 0 + 23.70 = 399.20 CHF

    Total for 6 Day BO Regional w/Half Card = 353 + 0 + 100 + 11.50 +17.00 +0 = 481.50 CHF

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    9 September 2019 at 1:58:56 #921941

    Hi Craig,

    I think you may have your answer although I would just get a 4 day RPBO. It is not really of much value on day 5 or 10. A 4-day RPBO used in conjunction with a SFHC is CHF188 (+ CHF120 for the SHFC which you have already).

    You have a few errors in your RPBO calculations:

    • Wengen to Männlichen is free with RPBO.
    • Same for Grindelwald on which you will be using a substitute bus as the cable way is not operating.
    • Return trip Wengen to Jungfraujoch is CHF99 (free Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg).

    Other advantage is that if you get some bad weather and decide a trip to Bern might be a good filler then you are covered.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    9 September 2019 at 2:25:05 #921942

    I think your suggestion is valid plus I noticed it will provide an extra 25% discount for Shilthorn. I am in Wengen arriving 9/24 and leaving for Lucerne 9/29. I need to check the cost of trips on 9/28 I like that I should be able to obtain the RBOP online as an E-ticket so I can utilize it on day trip from Lugano to Wengen. Less hassles with the option to go to Bern if inclement weather as you pointed out Thanks again!

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    9 September 2019 at 2:32:43 #921943

    Harder Kulm is included on both passes so it’s good. Thank you! Thank you!

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    9 September 2019 at 2:44:25 #921944

    You are welcome Craig. It’s always a juggling act picking the best pass.

    I noticed it will provide an extra 25% discount for Shilthorn

    True, to a certain extent but with the Jungfrau Pass you would just use your half-fare card from Mürren to Schilthorn and get the same discount as the RPBO (which has the added advantage of covering Stechelberg to Mürren for free).

    From Lauterbrunnen my favourite circuit is to Grütschalp (cable car), Mürren (train), Gimmelwald (cable car), Stechelberg (cable car), Lauterbrunnen (bus). From Mürren you can easily visit Schiltorn (don’t miss The Thrill Walk at Birg) and even Allmendhubel if you have time. In between Stechelberg and Lauterbrunnen the bus stops at the Trummelbach Falls. Well worth a look.

    Enjoy.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    9 September 2019 at 3:37:54 #921945

    FYI – It’s really funny. The 6 day RBOP combo comes out 0.40 CHF less than the 4 day RBOP combo for my travel needs. Go Figure! LOL It’s still 40 CHF to 50CHF more than the Jungfrau Pass combo combination and a roundtrip Interlacken Ost to Bern is 28 CHF. I guess it all boils down to ease of getting the valid passes and ease of use!

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    9 September 2019 at 5:22:45 #921946

    LOL, but even with you Swiss Half Fare Card a round trip from Wengen to Bern works out at a smidge over CHF40.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    9 September 2019 at 22:41:36 #921947

    I’m assuming I should make a reservation now online instead of waiting until I arrive in Lugano. What is the correct procedure/order for purchasing the GPE ticket inclusive of the Boat ride from Fluelen to Lugano? Can I purchase everything through Happy Rail or is it best to purchase directly through SBB website? Thanks Again!

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    9 September 2019 at 22:50:55 #921948

    Buying from Happyrail is simple. If you prefer you can just get a reservation from them and then buy your tickets at Lugano SBB. Locating the correct train and boat using the SBB timetable can be a challenge.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    10 September 2019 at 0:25:15 #921949

    I just found this link via SBB with a complete package for GPE + Boat + Seat Reservation: http://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/travel-in-switzerland/panoramare isen/gotthard-panorama-express/purchasing.htm l

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    10 September 2019 at 0:30:49 #921950

    Go for it.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    15 September 2019 at 2:10:26 #921951

    For some reason mind is getting scrambled close to crunch time. LOL! I received the following documents as shown in the attached uploaded jpgs. Am I correct that I either need to purchase both Swiss Half Fare Card and a Swiss Saver Day Pass or purchase a Swiss Half Fare Card and segment tickets for Lugano to Wengen? I can purchase all here http://www.happyrail.com/en/p ass/europe/switzerland /swiss-saver-day-pass correct?

    Thanks again!

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    15 September 2019 at 2:38:07 #921952

    I’m not sure exactly what you’ve bought but for the price you paid I would say you wouldn’t need any other tickets. CHF182 seem like a lot!

    I don’t recognise that paperwork apart from the ticket for the boat. Train 3092 is definately the GPEX Lugano to Flüelen.

    Sorry I don’t have time to offer any more advice. Just off to the airport to catch a flight to Zurich! 😎

Viewing 20 replies - 1 through 20 (of 27 total)
  • The thread ‘Lugano to Wengen via Gotthard Panorama Express’ is closed to new replies.

About MySwissAlps

We’re passionate tourists and locals. We share tips about how to plan a trip to Switzerland. MySwissAlps was founded in 2002.

Get a free account for a worry-free trip

  • Join our 10730 members and ask us questions in the forum
  • Access to member-only promotions
  • Detailed maps and weather forecasts

Planning your first Switzerland adventure?

Get a jump-start with Annika’s 20-minute e-mail course, “Switzerland for beginners”. Subscribe to our newsletter to unlock the course.