We will be flying into Zurich mid-September and immediately taking the train to Lucerne for two nights there. Then we need to continue on to Lake Como for five days there. It looks like the cheapest way to do this is to take the train back to Zurich HB and then a direct train from Zurich HB to Como. Coming in at around $120 per person round trip, which is not bad. However, I see that there are various last minute, super saver and discount card options, as well as other route options, so I thought it was worth a check here to see if anyone had suggestions for things I am missing . . .

From Luzern to Como, you change at Arth-Goldau. For example, at 0918 from Luzern, getting to Como at 1214. The trains are designed to connect at Arth-Goldau.

Thanks, I saw that. Changing trains once and the transit time is not a problem, but the price if we go from Luzern to Como is double at about $240 per person (rather than Zurich to Como direct for $120). Also the connections in Arth-Goldau are VERY tight, like 5 minutes, which makes me nervous.

>but the price if we go from Luzern to Como is double at about $240 per person (rather than Zurich to Como direct for $120).

This can't be. The distance from Luzern to Como is shorter than Zürich to Como, and mostly on teh same line. Please check again.
Also, where are you looking? Why are the prices in $?

Swiss Rail website is www.rail.ch

>Also the connections in Arth-Goldau are VERY tight, like 5 minutes, which makes me nervous.

They are at the same platform.

Unfortunately I have double checked and trains from Luzern to Como are definitely more expensive than trains from Zurich to Como. There are city to city fares that give you a lower rate and Zurich qualifies as an originating point, but Luzern does not. However, a saver fare has popped up so the difference is not as big as it was, only about $50 now, so it makes sense to book directly from Luzern to Como. Now I am just concerned about the time to switch trains in Arth-Goldau -- are they REALLY right next to each other? We pack light but I will be 6 months pregnant and have my 2 year old daughter with me, so just getting out of seats and grabbing luggage could take 5 minutes

Would a transfer ticket be good for these two trips? I think the 2nd class is $118.

Buy a Half Fare Card for 99 CHF for each adult and EVERYTHING in Swiss transport system (trains, busses, boats, gondolas, cable cars, etc) becomes half price (kids free). You can buy these at the train station at Zurich airport when you arrive.

5 mins to change trains is no problem given that it's the same platform (or even one close). However, you must gather your family and your luggage and be standing by the train door when you pull into the station. Do not wait until the train stops to gather everyone/everything up. And before you get on the train, go to the ticket window and ask for them to print you a timetable (ask for a timetable, not a schedule or itinerary -- long story). The timetable will tell you exact time and track ("Gleis" in German) for each arriving and departing train on your journey. That way you know exactly how long you have and which track you are looking for next.

Thanks, I will ask for the timetable and keep my fingers crossed. I do know about getting up and standing by the door before the train stops, we've traveled in Europe via train quite a bit, it can just be tricky with luggage and a little one. We had some trouble with this in France last year. My daughter is now old enough to walk on her own with me just holding her hand, but now I am adding being pregnant to the mix. Worst case there is another train a couple of hours later, although with getting a discounted fare (no change/cancel allowed) I am not sure if they would let us take that one if we missed our connection.

scatcat - I do not know what a transfer fare is, can you explain?

Have you looked at fares in Swiss Francs at the site altamiro gave? You keep quoting $'s which means you could be referencing RailEurope.com and those prices are sometimes much higher than ones you would buy there

See what the Lucerne to Lugano and Lucerne to Como fares cost in Swiss francs

anyway you can buy a Lucerne to Como ticket for a few Swiss francs once in Lugano.

PalenQ - No, I am looking on the Swiss rail site where the prices are quoted in Swiss francs, I am just converting to approximate dollars for my reference (although at the current exchange rate I think they are about even). Do you mean that the tickets would be cheaper if purchased once we are in Switzerland versus advance purchase on the Swiss rail website? This seems odd because the discounted (non-refundable) fares I am seeing are much lower than the regular price and it notes that there are limited quantities of these tickets available.

audrey - no they would not be cheaper than the Swiss site - i just wanted to be sure you were not getting fares from RailEurope.com as sometimes these can be more than tickets you would buy locally

I think generally in Switzerland the fares are the same online or at the station

From Lucerne you would take the train to nearby Arth-Goldau, a station on the Zurich to Lugano mainline and transfer there though there are some direct Lucerne-Lugano trains i believe - it may be a bit cheaper than backtracking to Zurich and then coming right out back thru Arth-Goldau, just a few minutes by train from Lucerne. If you want to check raileurope.com for ticket prices in the unusual but possible case they are cheaper (they have been in the past for Swiss rail products) then i'd contact their agent at www.budgeteuropetravel.com - whom i have bought passes from your eons and can attest to great personal service - REurope, part owned by Swiss Railways, usually are higher but not always. In any case just buy to Lugano then buy a few franc ticket from there to Como - if the Lucerne to Como price is so much more than the Lucerne to Lugano fare.