[Removed user]

13 July 2019 at 16:50:02 #822823

Hi trying to decide whether to stay 3 nights in Zermatt or 2 nights in Zermatt and 2 in Lugano.

I would take the Glacier Express from Zermatt to Lugano and then the Gotthard Experss from Lugano to Luzern, but since both trains take about 6 hrs, I am not sure if it is best to spent time on the “scenic trains” with only a day and half at each Zermatt and Lugano or just SKIP Lugano and do Zermatt (and then Luzern)?

I know they are totally different type of towns, but any suggestions might help, thanks.

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

[Removed user]

14 July 2019 at 0:22:07 #917688

One option is not to skip either town but to skip both ‘Panorama’ ** express trains. There is plenty of scenery to see from regular Swiss trains. A quicker way to travel Zermatt – Lugano is via Domodossola – Centovalli – Locarno

** I don’t think the Glacier Express suits your itinerary. Many people make the mistake (having heard of or seen publicity for the Glacier Express) that it is the only scenic train in Switzerland. This is to underestimate the scenery of the rest of Switzerland. If it doesn’t fit your itinerary it is not really necessary to do it. Ordinary trains runs on all the same lines. Just about every railway line in Switzerland is scenic to some degree. And in fact some sections of the Glacier Express route are less scenic than many other lines in Switzerland.

** Gotthard Panorama Express – a personal view

This is ‘take it or leave it’ advice:

Personally I am sceptical of the attraction of the Gotthard Panorama Express. It is an attempt to keep some tourism going on the Gotthard ‘mountain route’ since the rest of the fast trains now go through the base tunnel. However, you see mainly valleys not high mountains. Also it is reservation obligatory and first class only.

Also, the train gets rather lonely – part of the ‘romance’ of the Gotthard route previously was that your train competed for space on the line with huge long international long-distance trains carrying 000s of passengers a day between northern and southern Europe, and those passenger trains interacted and weaved in between dozens of heavy freight trains lumbering back and forth across the Alps.

The curiosity was seeing another train high above you one minute then a few minutes later passing by your train on the same level, then perhaps seeing it again below you a few minutes after that. It is this that no longer happens as there are so few trains left on the line.

[Removed user]

14 July 2019 at 12:00:04 #917689

Hello Tbone1311,

To figure out the travelling times required for 1960man’s suggestions please use below timetable:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable, read how it works fist, it’s a fabulous tool for planning.

Setting your final itinerary will be up to you in the end, as the acceptable travelling times, etc. are all very individual. Please use below links for inspiration:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ze rmatt
– http://www.myswissalps.com/lu gano
– http://www.myswissalps.com/lu cerne

– http://www.myswissalps.com/gl acierexpress
– http://www.myswissalps.com/go tthardpanoramaexpress

Happy planning and get back to us anytime for further input.

Best,
Steph