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We will be based in Lucerne the last week of October 2020. I’m trying to determine what will be the most scenic and interesting one day train itinerary that would be doable. Thanks for any suggestions
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That is almost an impossible question to answer, since each person has different ideas of what is scenic. However, we were in Lucerne for 11 days at the beginning of October and took multiple rail trips, but never ventured much more than 3 hours from Lucerne. My opinions based on that limited sample are.
1. Zurich to Lucerne – Not all that scenic.
2. Lucerne to Brunnen – Not all that scenic.
3. Lucerne to Engelberg/Mt. Titlis – Fairly scenic although most of it is low level travel through the valley. However, you do get to see some impressive mountains out the window, especially once you get to Engelberg.
4. Lucerne to Brienz or Interlaken– More scenic. You go past multiple lakes and pretty valleys, then over a low level mountain before dropping back down to another lake where you can really begin to see the Alps.
5. Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen– Also scenic past Interlaken as you enter the Lauterbrunnen valley with the Alps rising steeply from both sides. If you continue via bus to Stechelberg, you can catch the four consecutive gondolas to the Schilthorn. Impressive views from the top there.
6. Lauterbrunnen to Wengen& Kleine Scheidegg – Very scenic since you’ll see the Lauterbrunnen valley, and begin the climb to the Jungfrau going through Wengen. At the Kleine Scheidegg train station at the top you’re looking directly at the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau in right front of you. There’s a reason these mountains are so famous.
One trip we planned but didn’t take because we both caught some bug near the end of our stay was a day trip to Lugano. That certainly seemed like it would be scenic, but you can research what others on this site have to say about that.
You should check the SBB (Swiss rail) timetable& map for more specific information. I used it extensively during our trip.
Hope that gives you some ideas.
Hello Q Sams and Welcome to MySwissAlps,
Tough question without knowing what else you have planned.
Here’s a variation on CabinJon’s 4/5 – From Lauterbrunnen a very nice circuit to do 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. The entire circuit and side trips are free with the Swiss Travel Pass in 2019 apart from the Allmendhubel Funicular (50% discount) and the Falls (modest entry fee). In 2020 Mürren to Schilthorn will be 50% discount. Return to Luzern via Bern for a different perspective of the countryside.
Hi Q Sams,
if you are looking for an “official” panoramic train route, here you’ll find a list and overview of them: http://www.myswissalps.com/ac tivities/scenictrips/t rain. The one from Lucerne to Montreux is called Golden Pass: http://www.myswissalps.com/go ldenpass, worth to have a look at.
It is quite difficult to say more, as we do not know your whole itinerary and your interest.
Thank you. We will be arriving in Lucerne on Wednesday October 28 and departing on Monday November 2. We are just starting to plan our trip so anything will be considered but we’d need to return to Lucerne each night, luggage constraints, but late is no problem. We would like a trip thru the Alps but have seen that most of the trains don’t run at that time of year. I’ve spent the last few months checking the internet but I’m becoming more confused each time I look. Any help will be appreciated.
Thank you. At this point we have not planned anything except for being based in Lucerne. Anything is up for consideration.
Thank you for the great information.
“We would like a trip thru the Alps but have seen that most of the trains don’t run at that time of year.”
The only train I know of that is not running is the Glacier Express but you can do the same route on regular trains. Not that it’s something you’d want to do as a day trip from Luzern.
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.
There is plenty to do to keep you occupied from a base in Luzern. See http://www.myswissalps.com/lu cerne/activities.
Thanks. I’ll download the app.
“We are just starting to plan our trip so anything will be considered but we’d need to return to Lucerne each night, luggage constraints, but late is no problem. We would like a trip thru the Alps but have seen that most of the trains don’t run at that time of year.”
We’ve used Lucerne as our primary base for the past two years and it has worked wonderfully. If you check a topo map, you’ll see that pretty much anything south of Lucerne and south or west of Interlaken is “in the Alps.” That opens up a lot of train rides that will show you the mountains.
For example, Lucerne to Lugano via the new Gotthard Base Tunnel will take a little over 2 hours; the old route, with lots of curving loops, takes about 3.5 hours. Any train going into the Jungfrau region will put the Alps on display.
Luzern is a jumping off point for all sorts of ways to see all of Switzerland, not just the Alps. (you should try and avoid the notion that Switzerland is just the Alps (more on this subject below))
Probably the best ‘see the Alps’ day trip from Luzern is:
Luzern – Göschenen – Andermatt – Oberalp Pass – Chur – Thalwil – Luzern
on another day you could do:
Luzern – Interlaken – Spiez – Kandersteg – Brig – Andermatt – Göschenen – Luzern
Having said that:
Try not to focus too hard on the so called ‘scenic’ trains. Nearly all railways in Switzerland are scenic in some way – if you don’t see high mountains you will see other icons of Switzerland such as lakes, rolling pastures, farmsteads, cows etc. – so you will rarely be disappointed with any Swiss train trip
If you get a Swiss Travel Pass, you can travel on any and all of the railway lines of the main Swiss national network.
Nearly all railways in Switzerland are scenic in some way, and it’s a small country so you can start anywhere you like.
A good publication to start with is:
http://www.bradtguides.com/sh op/europe/switzerland/ switzerland-without-a-car-3302.html
A look at this relief map will show you where the high Alps are and it shows the railways in context with the mountainous regions very well:
The map also shows you where the lower altitude areas of Switzerland are. Many people find these ares more quintisentially ‘Swiss’ than the Alps ( there is an argument that ‘once you’ve seen one high snowy mountain you’ve seen them all’). In the ‘Mittelland’ and jura areas you will find ancient towns, forts, Roman settlements, classic Swiss farmland etc etc
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