Zurich - Interlaken - Lugano - Lucern - Montreux
 

Hi Everyone

My husband and I are spending 2 weeks in Switzerland beginning March 2nd. Our itinerary is as follows:

Zurich - Interlaken
Interlaken - Lugano
Lugano - Lucern
Lucern - Montreux
Montreux - return to Zurich

We purchased a Swiss Rail Pass for the duration of the trip. Question - while the Swiss train system is fairly easy to figure out, I'd like suggestions on the most scenic routes to take. It's a bit overwhelming when I look on the website.
Thanks for your help!

Zurich - Interlaken
Interlaken - Lucerne
Lucerne-Lugano
Lugano - Montreux
Montreux - Zurich

First rearrange the itinerary a tad IMO to what I have above - shorter travel time overall I believe.

Zurich to Interlaken

Then Interlaken to Lucerne via the very scenic Brunig Pass route, part of Golden Pass scenic train route.

Then Lucerne to Lugano via the Gotthard Tunnel (new and longest rail tunnel in Europe).

Lugano to Montreux - scenic route Lugano-Locarno (on Lake Como) via the Centovalli scenic train ("100 valleys" as the train plies gorgeous Alpine valleys to Domodossola, Italy - change there to trains thru the Smplon Tunnel to Brig and change there for a mildly scenic train ride down the Rhone Valley to Montreux.

Montreux-Zurich via the very scenic Golden Pass route and not the quicker mainline route - Montreux-Zweissimmen and change at Spiez for Bern-Zurich. Really scenic part is Montreux-Zweissimmen.

That to me is the most logical route in terms of scenic beauty and logical routings.

For lots on Swiss trains check www.sbb.ch; www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.seat61.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Swiss Travel Pass valid the whole way - even the Centovalli part via a bit of Italy to Domodossola to Brig. No reservations needed but suggested to reserve Montreux-Zweissimmen portion to guarantee seating in an observation/panoramic car.

https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...tshell-389386/

Little old but the scenery and scenic trains are the same.

https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...trains-571126/

Also little old but again scenic trains are the same in terms of scenery!

Thanks for the information - very helpful!

The Golden Pass scenic trains - official ones - have special nifty VIP seats that have you in a compartment up front next to tghe driver - only a few a train - bok yourselves online at official site.

New version:
Zurich airport - Lucerne (direct train)
Lucerne - Lugano (direct train)
Lugano - Bellinzona (luggage lockers, visit the 3 medieval castles and the medieval city center)
Bellinzona - Locarno/Lake Maggiore dp 12.50 - panormanic CENTOVALLI train - Domodossola - SWISS POST BUS - SIMPLON PASS (6600 ft) - Brig ar 16.31, dp 16.57 - train Montreux ar 18.19
Montreux - GOLDEN PASS - Interlaken
Interlaken - Thun (train change, same platform) - Zurich or Zurich airport

Going up and over the Simplon Pass by bus is terrific as opposed to tunneling under it but does take quite a bit longer. Swiss Travel Pass valid on bus too.

I takes just 1 1/4 hrs longer.
If you take the train through te 20 kms long tunnel (plus a few other tunnels on the Italian side) you will have to change trains at Domodossola and Brig too.

And seriously that would be a longish but GREAT day of awesome simply awesome scenery the whole way.

Bus also required two changes - at Domodossola and Visp? missing your point there.

neckervd- do you need to or even can reserve the Simplon pass bus - how can you be sure the bus will not be full once you get to Domodossola? thanks.