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What is the most scenic train ride from Lucerne?

The Glacier Express train from Chur to Brig is one of the world's most spectacular train rides, but figuring it out in a new country may be tricky. This experience lets you travel with a guide all the way from your hotel in Lucerne to Chur, and then along the Glacier Express route with a prebooked ticket.



The most scenic and iconic train journey departing from Lucerne is undoubtedly the Lucerne-Interlaken Express, which forms the first leg of the famous GoldenPass Line. This premium panoramic train takes approximately two hours and traverses the heart of Switzerland, passing five crystal-clear mountain lakes (including Lake Lucerne, Lake Sarnen, and Lake Lungern) and numerous cascading waterfalls. The highlight of the trip is the steep ascent over the Brünig Pass, where the train utilizes a cogwheel system to navigate the rugged terrain. For the best views of the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz as you approach Interlaken, it is highly recommended to sit on the right-hand side of the train when departing from Lucerne. Another spectacular option is the Gotthard Panorama Express, which begins with a nostalgic steamboat cruise across Lake Lucerne to Flüelen, where passengers transfer to a first-class panoramic train that climbs through the original Gotthard mountain route toward Lugano. Both journeys offer floor-to-ceiling windows, ensuring that you don't miss a single snow-capped peak or picturesque Alpine village along the way.

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The Glacier Express - known as the 'Slowest Express Train in the World' (and arguably the most scenic) - connects the mountain resort towns of Matterhorn adjacent to Zermatt and St Moritz in the Swiss Alps.

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Golden Pass route For lovers of Swiss lakes and mountains, this route is two hours of sheer heaven. It's a journey that many make as a one-day round trip from either end of the route (ie. from either Lucerne or from Interlaken).

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With a Swiss Travel Pass you get unlimited travel on trains, buses and boats to reach popular cities such as Bern, Basel, Geneva, Interlaken, Lucerne, Innsbruck, Zurich and Lausanne as well as the country's greatest natural highlight, the Swiss Alps.

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You can enjoy the Bernina Express as a day trip - this is the highest railway across the Alps, yet the train negotiates 55 tunnels, 196 bridges and steep inclines with ease. The carriages have panoramic windows so that you can enjoy unrestricted views of the stunning landscape through which you are travelling.

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From Montreux to Zweissman the best side to sit on is the right hand side, in the direction of travel. From Zweissman to Interlaken the best side to sit on is the left hand side, in the direction of travel.

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The Bernina Express train route takes you through incredible alpine landscapes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site - it's that amazing. Think of all the clichés about the beauty of scenic train travel and multiply them by 1000. You'll end up on this journey through Switzerland.

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1. The Bernina Express. Connecting Chur to Poschiavo in Switzerland, and to Tirano in Italy by crossing the Swiss Engadin Alps, the Bernina Express features breathtaking views from its panoramic, red carriages.

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Luzern is more comfortable, old money and beautiful setting on the lake. Interlaken is closer to the big mountains, hiking, etc. I prefer Interlaken, but Luzern is more comfortable for first time to Switzerland. I would not want to spend 4 hours on the train to commute from one to the other however.

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The boat rides are fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) and GA travelcard.

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