The Gotthard Panorama Express operates from Friday, April 14, 2024 to Sunday, October 15, 2024, Tuesday to Sunday, including general public holidays. The Gotthard Panorama Express does NOT run on Mondays.

Combining trips by rail and boat, this 182km journey begins in Lugano, in Switzerland’s Italian-speaking south. The Gotthard Panorama Express (you can only buy this locally) weaves its way north towards Bellinzona, where three UNESCO World Heritage castles guard its historic centre. The train then speeds through the world’s longest and deepest rail tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, out towards Giornico, dotted with chestnut woods and vineyards. Do take a break in Flüelen, where we recommend a boat trip out on Lake Uri, believed to be the birthplace of the Swiss nation back in 1291, and gently cruise on towards Lake Lucerne.

It is possible to combine parts of the Gotthard Panorama Express 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 Gotthard Panorama Express is a combined boat and train journey from Lucerne to Lugano, or vice versa. The scenic route connects the north and the south of Switzerland, which are very different in climate, culture and language.

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 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.

Section 1 (main route): Lucerne to Flüelen by boat

You will board a historical paddle steamer in Lucerne. The Alps pass by slowly while you enjoy lunch in the ship restaurant (optionally). The trip starts with views of the city of Lucerne and Mount Pilatus. A bit further on you can see Mount Rigi on your left; a beautiful area to hike.

Between Brunnen and Seelisberg, the boat will turn right into the southern end of Lake Lucerne: the Urnersee. You're getting closer to the higher peaks now, and steep forested rock walls rise up from both sides of the lake. The next destination of the trip, the snow capped peaks surrounding the Gotthard Pass, can already be seen from here.

You will pass the Tell's Chapel on your left. It marks the place where, according to the legend, historical figure Wilhelm Tell escaped from the boat of the Austrian bailiff Gessler. His escape allowed him to kill Gessler a bit later. That paved the way to the formation of the Swiss Confederation on August 1, 1291. This happened at Rütli, a meadow on the opposite side of the lake. August 1 is still the Swiss national holiday.

Nearly 3 hours after departing from Lucerne, you will reach the village of Flüelen.

Section 2 (main route): Flüelen to Göschenen by train

The boat trip has come to an end. After a 1-minute flat walk to the station, your journey continues by train. The next 2.5 hours will be full of mountain scenery and impressive railway engineering of the famous Gotthard railway.

This second section of the Gotthard Panorama Express route runs through the valley of the river Reuss. The valley floor is relatively wide in the beginning, but once you have reached the village of Amsteg, it is very narrow. It's interesting to see how the river, railroad, express way and local road all fit into the little available space.

Another challenge for the trains is that they have to gain a lot of altitude in a short distance: about 670 m in just 30 km. In order to make that possible without slow cogwheel trains, several spiral loops have been carved in the rocks in order to lengthen the railway. That becomes really obvious when you're passing the village of Wassen and its little white church three times, because of the two loops here.

Finally, the train reaches the entrance of the Gotthard tunnel in the village of Göschenen, at an altitude of 1106 m.

The right side of the train offers a slightly better view.

Section 3 (main route): Göschenen to Lugano by train

The train continues into the tunnel, which dates back to 1882. There is a light show inside the 15 km long tunnel.

There is another tunnel as well: 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. You will miss nearly all of the scenery of section 2 and 3 by taking a fast train across this tunnel, so this is not the recommended route.

Airolo, at the other side of the tunnel, is the highest point of the route at 1141 m. You have passed the highest peaks of the Alps, and you may encounter entirely different weather here. You're now in the canton of Ticino. Language and culture are no longer German, but Italian.

The climate is considerably milder and drier here, but still there are interesting variations between northern and central Ticino: the valley floor has 3 different levels and 3 different climates. The first section has an altitude of around 1000 m. The second section starts north of Faido with an altitude of around 700 m. Just before Giornico the train reaches the lowest level: under 400 m. It is considerably warmer here. You're now in a wine growing area, and you'll see some palm trees for sure! Several spiral loops help the train descending to this level.

In Bellinzona you can see one castle on the right and two on the left. If you get off here, you can switch trains for Locarno. The lowest point of the route at 230 m is just south of Bellinzona. A bit further you can see the Lago Maggiore (lthe owest place in Switzerland) and Locarno on the horizon. Fast trains take the 15.4 km long Ceneri Base Tunnel here, but the Gotthard Panorama Express takes the classic route to its terminal destination Lugano, in the south of the Ticino. Here, you can change for Milan, continue on the Bernina Express, or stay and enjoy the wonderful area you've reached.

The view is slightly better from the right side of the train.

Tickets for individual passengers.

Passengers must be in possession of a valid ticket in the appropriate class for the journey travelled. On the boat, passengers can choose between 1st and 2nd class. The seats on the panorama train are exclusively 1st class. All national and international transport tickets are accepted in accordance with their scope of application. The family discount applies.

The tickets must be valid “via boat” from Lucerne to Flüelen.

Passengers who travel in 1st class but have a 2nd class ticket or travelcard will be required to pay a class upgrade for the respective route.

In accordance with the scope of application, Interrail and Eurail are accepted for free travel on the railway journey and entitle passengers to a 50% discount for the boat journey.

The “Gotthard Panorama Express” supplement is only required for the section of the route between Arth-Goldau/Flüelen and Lugano. It is charged via the mandatory seat reservation.

The supplement must be paid by all passengers with a seat. No group or child discount is granted. Children under 6 years without their own seat are excluded from the supplement.

The “Gotthard Panorama Express” supplement costs CHF 24.

Passengers with no seat reservation may travel if free seats are still available. The supplement is to be paid to train staff in this case.

No supplement or seat reservation is required for the boat journey. Seats may be chosen freely.

Sample ticket prices (single journey, not including travel to the departure point or onward travel, plus supplement):