Gotthard Panoramic Express

Traveling on the Gotthard Panorama Express is more than crossing the Alps—it's a journey accompanied by a dedicated, warm, and passionate team. Tour guides, catering crew, and train drivers work each day to make every guest feel truly at home on board.

Riding the historic Gotthard Railway, you’ll pass breathtaking landscapes, countless bridges, and iconic helical tunnels as the route carries you from Flüelen to the Mediterranean charm of the Ticino region.

On the Gotthard Panorama Express, the experience goes far beyond the views :

• Multilingual Tour Guide

  A multilingual guide is on board to highlight key sights and share stories that enrich your journey. If you'd like to learn more about the scenery, feel free to ask us anytime!

• Open-Window Photo Coach ( Highly recommended!! )

  The train features a special photo coach with windows that open, perfect for capturing the Alpine scenery without barriers.

• Route Commentary & Gotthard Railway History

  Informative audio commentary brings the landscape and the remarkable history of the Gotthard Railway to life as you travel.

Many travelers often assume the “Gotthard Panorama Train” and the “Gotthard Train” are the same, but they are actually completely different!

The easiest way to tell them apart is by checking their English names!

Gotthard Panorama Express (GPE)

• The true panorama train
• Stunning scenery along one of Switzerland’s most iconic engineering railway routes
• Large panoramic windows; slower speed ideal for photography
• Designed specifically for sightseeing (with audio commentary and a lake boat segment)
• Routes:
  • Boat + Train: Luzern → (boat) → Flüelen → (train) → Lugano
  • Train only: Arth-Goldau → (train) → Flüelen → (train) → Lugano
• Seasonal operation
• Ideal for travelers who want beautiful views and rail enthusiasts

Here’s a fun fact to share with everyone ~

Between Arth-Goldau and Lugano, there is a tunnel that allows trains to pass through very quickly — but it is only used by specific regular and high-speed services on certain routes.

If you’re short on time and don’t require the scenic mountain route, make sure to book a regular or high-speed train that runs through the new Gotthard Base Tunnel.

Gotthard Base Tunnel  (GBT)

• High-speed ICN*/EC trains ( not Panorama train ) through the Gotthard Base Tunnel
• Runs through the new Gotthard Base Tunnel
• High-speed, point-to-point transportation
• No scenic views (most of the journey is inside a long tunnel)
• Route: Erstfeld → Bodio
• Operates year-round
• Best for travelers who need fast and efficient transportation

*ICN – InterCity Neigezug (Neigezug = Tilting Train) :
The ICN is a long-distance InterCity train operated by SBB (Swiss Federal Railways).
It is equipped with tilting technology, allowing the train to maintain higher speeds on curved, mountainous sections of track.
ICN services frequently operate on routes connecting northern and southern Switzerland.

Treno Gottardo

• Regional direct train (partially on the old mountain route, but NOT a panorama train)
• Routes such as: Zurich / Basel / Luzern → Locarno
• A regular regional service — no boat segment, no sightseeing commentary
• Operates year-round
• Suitable for everyday travel rather than sightseeing

If you want scenic views, be sure to choose the Gotthard Panorama Express.
Please do not mistake the Treno Gottardo for panorama trains!

• Operating dates: 2026/4/18 - 10/18 (Daily)，service is suspended outside this period.
• Boat segment (Lucerne to Flüelen): ~ 2h45m
• Boat stops: Lucerne – Verkehrshaus – Lido – Hertenstein – Weggis – Vitznau – Beckenried – Gersau – Treib – Brunnen – Rütli – Sisikon – Tellsplatte – Flüelen
• Train segment:
• Flüelen – Lugano: ~2h30m
• Arth-Goldau – Flüelen – Lugano: ~2h55m
• Train route: Arth-Goldau – Flüelen – Göschenen – Airolo – Bellinzona – Lugano
• Service times are for reference only. Actual operations are subject to the official schedule.

• Reservations must be used in conjunction with a valid Swiss Travel Pass of the corresponding class (see the pricing information. 
• Reservation fees are higher for holders of 2nd class passes).
• All tickets listed above are for one-way journeys only.
• Lucerne – (boat) – Flüelen – (train) – Lugano
• Arth-Goldau – (train) – Flüelen – (train) – Lugano
• All train segments are 1st class only and include light refreshments.
• After purchase, please indicate your preferred train time or range. A travel consultant will contact you to confirm your reservation.

• Operating dates: 2026/4/18 - 10/18 (Daily)，service is suspended outside this period.
• Train segment is 1st class only.
  • Boat segment offers 1st & 2nd class, but this package includes 1st class only.
  • Route: Lucerne – Flüelen (boat) – Lugano (train) or Arth-Goldau – Flüelen – Lugano (train).
• Valid only with a Swiss Travel Pass.
• Boat section (Lucerne – Flüelen) has no assigned seats; reservation applies to the train segment only.
• Please specify travel direction when booking.
• Children aged 0–5: free if not occupying a seat.
• Children aged 6–15: must hold a Swiss Family Card to book.
• Free luggage delivery available between Lucerne Pier 1 and Lugano station:
  • Must be dropped off at least 10 minutes before departure. 
  • No quantity limit, but each item must be under 23 kg.