Luzern to Zermatt with the Swiss Travel Pass Flex

  • Swede4life
    Participant
    118 posts
    3 February 2021 at 15:56:53 #825770

    Luzern to Zermatt with the Swiss Travel Pass Flex. We wish to travel from Luzern (departs about 11:12) in July on the Gotthard Panorama Express (GPE) (start with boat ride to Fluelen) and onto Zermatt via Goschenen and the Glacier Express to Zermatt. Is it correct that I must make a seat reservation and pay a fee on the GPE (1st class) as well as Glacier Express (2nd class) to reach Zermatt that same day at about 16:00? Which should I reserve first and should I do it right at the exact 6 month point to ensure a seat reservation. We are coming from Appenzell that morning. We do not wish to use a local train. Thank you. Larry

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

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    3 February 2021 at 20:12:52 #934630

    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

    Swede4life
    Participant
    118 posts
    3 February 2021 at 21:07:14 #934631

    Thank you. I am not confident I can get from Goschenen to Andermatt on the cogwheel train to make the Glacier Express.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    4 February 2021 at 9:31:30 #934632

    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

    Swede4life
    Participant
    118 posts
    4 February 2021 at 11:55:23 #934633

    Thank you.

    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    4 February 2021 at 17:45:34 #934634

    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!

    Swede4life
    Participant
    118 posts
    4 February 2021 at 18:24:56 #934635

    Thank you. Very helpful. Larry

  • The thread ‘Luzern to Zermatt with the Swiss Travel Pass Flex’ 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.