72625 posts
Hi Swede4life & welcome to MySwissAlps!
If you are traveling from Lucerne to Zermatt, you’ll follow this route: Lucerne – Göschenen (Gotthard Panorama Express), Göschenen – Andermatt (cogwheel train), Andermatt – Zermatt (Glacier Express).
You need a seat reservation in advance for the Glacier Express (http://www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress/tickets) and also for the Gotthard Panorama Express as well (http://www.myswissalps.com/gotthardpanoramaexpress/tickets). Do not forget, that there are only 1st class tickets for the Gotthard Panorama Express, so if you have a 2. class Swiss Travel Pass, you need to upgrade your ticket to first class.
It is very difficult to say whether you need to book it 6 months before – because of Covid. Usually – I mean, before Covid – I would suggest to book it as soon as you are sure that you won’t change your itinerary anymore, as seat reservation tickets can be sold out. For the Glacier Express you can book seats 93 days ahead of time.
According to the timetable, you’ll start your journey at 11:12 in Lucerne, arrive in Flüelen at 13:55. From there you take the Gotthard Panorama Express at 14:09 and arrive in Göschenen at 14:47. Then the cogwheel train to Andermatt. You leave Andermatt at 15:08, arriving 18:10 at Zermatt by the Glacier Express.
You can book your tickets here: http://www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress/tickets and http://www.myswissalps.com/gotthardpanoramaexpress/tickets.
More information about the routes:
If you would like to read about the Swiss Travel Pass Flex:
I hope this helps,
Ildiko
118 posts
Thank you. I am not confident I can get from Goschenen to Andermatt on the cogwheel train to make the Glacier Express.
72625 posts
Hi, yes, I understand your concern. It seems a bit tight, right? The cogwheel train leaves at 14:54 and arrives at 15:06 to Andermatt. You have 2 mins to change to the Glacier Express, but it is a tiny station, so it is possible.
The Swiss train system is designed for optimal travel times, which sometimes includes a quick connection. If you would like to read more about the tight connection times visit: http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable
Ildiko
15471 posts
Hi Swede4life,
You can tell the conductor of the Gotthard Panorama Express train about your connection towards Zermatt. He or she can keep an eye on it for you and even contact other train staff if necessary. Normally you would not be the only one making the same connection.
Have fun!
118 posts
Thank you. Very helpful. Larry