Gotthard Panorama Express

• Attraction type: Scenic trip, By train;
  Scenic trip, By boat
• Escort: independent (no guide)
• Region: Lake Lucerne (Central Switzerland), Lake Maggiore (Ticino), Lake Lugano (Ticino)
• Duration: 1 day or less

What to expect on board the Gotthard Panorama Express

The route starts (or ends) in Lucerne in Central Switzerland, in the northern half of the country. The climate is relatively cool and people are speaking German.

You start off with a relaxed boat trip across Lake Lucerne. After that a panoramic train takes you along the famous Gotthard route to the south of Switzerland, where the climate is mild enough to grow palm trees. Culture and language are Italian here.

The Gotthard Panorama Express is not as well known as the Glacier Express and Bernina Express. Still, this 5.5-hour trip is one of the best scenic journeys that Switzerland has to offer. It's not only a train. You'll also travel by boat, which makes it an entirely different, slow-paced experience.

The route

You can travel from Lucerne to Lugano or the other way round. Lucerne to Flüelen is the boat section, Flüelen to Lugano is the train section.

The route consists of three entirely different sections. The train actually starts in Arth-Goldau before reaching Flüelen, which is helpful if you prefer a different route without the boat.

The boat and train

The steam boat offers 1st and 2nd class seats. The train only has 1st class seats. The ship has a restaurant to have lunch. Snacks, drinks and cold platters can be purchased on board the train as well. You'll be serviced at your seat.

The train has air-conditioned cars with panoramic windows. There is also a car with opening windows specifically for photographers. The multilingual guide on board explains about highlights along the route.

Luggage transportation service

Your luggage can be transported for free between Lucerne and Lugano. Details:

• This service is only for individual travelers, not for groups.
• A weight limit of 25 kg per piece of luggage applies.
• You should hand in your luggage no later than 10 minutes before departure.
• Drop-off and pick-up points are Pier 1 of the Lucerne boat dock, and sector D on the train at the Lugano station.

What's the best season?

Any season is good to make this trip, as long as weather is fine (no rain or snowfall). If we had to choose, we'd favor April to early June. That's because of the fresh spring scenery, the snow capped peaks, and the bigger contrast between the climate in the north and the south.

If the Gotthard Panorama Express doesn't operate while you're there, or if the schedule does not suit you, you can travel by regular boats and trains on the same route all year round.

Regular trains and boats versus the official Gotthard Panorama Express

The route of the Gotthard Panorama Express is serviced by regular trains and boats as well. These are train alternatives:

• The Treno Gottardo is a direct train connection that runs hourly between alternately Basel-Lucerne-Locarno (4h20) and Zurich-Locarno (3h20). The Treno Gottardo operates on the historic scenic route and offers two bistro zones with snack and beverage vending machines.
• Most other regional trains require you to change trains at least once along the way. 
• The quickest connections are offered by trains that use the long Gotthard base tunnel (Basel-Locarno: 3h10, Zurich-Locarno: 2h10, with one or two changes along the way). The 57 km long Gotthard Base Tunnel is the longest railway tunnel in the world. It opened in 2016 and provides a much quicker way to reach Italy and the south of Switzerland from the north.

Why choose the Gotthard Panorama Express?

If you value the views along the way more than a quick trip, we recommend that you travel along the historic panorama route via Göschenen, either by Gotthard Panorama Express or by the Treno Gottardo. If you use the fast trains that cross the Gotthard base tunnel, you'll miss out on part of the remarkable scenery.

Choosing the Gotthard Panorama Express for this journey is extra special because of the steam boat. The train is a wonderful experience too due to its panoramic windows, reserved comfortable seats, catering and the information provided by the staff and the intercom.

That's why we think that the Gotthard Panorama Express provides the most complete, diverse and comfortable way to enjoy this route.

Gotthard Panorama Express and Glacier Express in one day

It is possible to combine parts of the Gotthard Panorama Express (or alternatively the Treno Gottardo) and Glacier Express in one day. The Gotthard Panorama Express stops in Göschenen. From there, a short ride in a cogwheel train gets you to Andermatt, which is a stop of the Glacier Express.

The below routes can be done in one day. Check the timetable: you may need to leave early to catch the panoramic trains, and in low season not all options are available.

• Zermatt to Lucerne: Zermatt - Andermatt (Glacier Express), Andermatt - Göschenen (cogwheel train), Göschenen - Lucerne (Gotthard Panorama Express).
• Zermatt to Lugano: Zermatt - Andermatt (Glacier Express), Andermatt - Göschenen (cogwheel train), Göschenen - Lugano (Gotthard Panorama Express).
• St. Moritz to Lugano: St. Moritz - Andermatt (Glacier Express), Andermatt - Göschenen (cogwheel train), Göschenen - Lugano (Gotthard Panorama Express).
• Lugano to Zermatt: Lugano - Göschenen (Gotthard Panorama Express), Göschenen - Andermatt (cogwheel train), Andermatt - Zermatt (Glacier Express).
• Lucerne to Zermatt: Lucerne - Göschenen (Gotthard Panorama Express), Göschenen - Andermatt (cogwheel train), Andermatt - Zermatt (Glacier Express).

The timetable provides detailed schedules.

Gotthard Panorama Express and Bernina Express

If you end your journey in Lugano, you can pick up the Bernina Express route to Tirano and St. Moritz the next day.

Gotthard Panorama Express and Voralpen Express

If you end in Lucerne, you can travel by Voralpen Express to St. Gallen. This can even by done the same afternoon.

Another option is to switch trains in Arth-Goldau. Both the Gotthard Panorama Express train and the Voralpen Express train can be boarded here.