Train travel from Luzern to Zermatt

Hi

I am in a party of 5 visiting Switzerland from 28th September this year. We all have a Eurail Select Pass & after staying in Luzern we are traveling to Zermatt. I had thought that we might go via Goschenen & Andermatt however it seems we need to go on the Glacier Express from Andermatt to Zermatt & that is an added expense as we need to pay for a ticket as well as a reservation. Is there a regional train that goes from Andermatt to Zermatt on a different line? Could we go on the Glacier Express from Andermatt to Brig & then take a regional train to Zermatt? Is it possible to book when we get to Switzerland or would we be unlikely to get tickets only a few days before travel? Can you suggest an alternative route? I am sure most train travel in Switzerland is scenic.

Can we get on a regional train from Zermatt to Brig with our pass without needing a reservation? We have reservations on the train from Brig to Venice. Does the Zermatt train arrive at the same station as the Intercity train departs? Just that I see that there is Brig & Brig Bahnhof.

Thank you

Janette

Thanks for joining MySwissAlps, Janette, and welcome to the forum!

The route via Göschenen and Andermatt is definitely beautiful. Andermatt-Zermatt is part of the Glacier Express route, but you don't have to get on a Glacier Express train: regional trains are available on this route too, and not just from Brig to Zermatt. You can consult the timetable for details.

No matter which train you pick, the leg Göschenen-Andermatt-Zermatt won't be for free with your Eurail Select Pass, but discounted by 25%. You will avoid Glacier Express seat reservation fees if you choose a regional train though.

Seat reservations for other trains than the Glacier Express are not required, and for some legs not even possible. If you do want to travel by Glacier Express, it's recommend to book seats as early as possible. In any case, you will need 25% discounted tickets for the leg Göschenen-Zermatt, and it won't be a problem getting them. Just go to a ticket counter at the Lucerne railway station, show your Eurail Select Pass and explain how you want to travel.

There is a scenic alternative that's covered up to Brig by your Eurail Select Pass: first, get on the Golden Pass train from Lucerne to Interlaken or Spiez. Then change to the Lötschberg RegioExpress to Brig (enter 'Goppenstein' as a via-station in the timetable to see this connection), and move on with the regional train from Brig to Zermatt. You'll still need 25% discounted tickets for this last leg.