Category
Product Description
The Easiest Way to Cross Switzerland East to West
Most travelers going from St. Gallen in eastern Switzerland to Lucerne change trains in Zurich. The Voralpen-Express takes a different route: one direct train, about 2 hours 15 minutes, every hour, run by Südostbahn (SOB).
No dragging luggage across platforms at Zurich HB, and you get lakes, viaducts and pre-Alpine countryside along the way. A great pick if you travel with big bags or want your transfer day to feel like part of the trip.
Flying in or out of Munich? Take the direct train from München to St. Gallen, then ride the Voralpen-Express straight into Lucerne.
Stops and Highlights Along the Way
| Stop | What to look out for |
|---|---|
| St. Gallen | Abbey District and Abbey Library, a UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Herisau | Cross the 99 m Sitter Viaduct just before arriving. Change here for Appenzeller Bahnen |
| Wattwil | Toggenburg valley and the 8.6 km Ricken Tunnel |
| Uznach | Linth plain with views of Speer and the Churfirsten |
| Rapperswil | The town of roses. The train crosses Lake Zurich on the Seedamm |
| Pfäffikon SZ | South shore of Lake Zurich |
| Biberbrugg | Change here for Einsiedeln Abbey |
| Rothenthurm | Protected raised bog, near the highest point of the line at about 933 m |
| Arth-Goldau | Hub for the Rigi mountain railway |
| Küssnacht am Rigi | Between Lake Zug and Lake Lucerne |
| Meggen Zentrum | On the shore of Lake Lucerne |
| Luzern Verkehrshaus | Swiss Museum of Transport right by the station |
| Luzern | Final stop. Connect to the GoldenPass Express |
Three lakes in one ride: Lake Zurich, Lake Zug and Lake Lucerne. On a clear day, Säntis, Rigi and Pilatus all show up in the window.
Tickets and Reservations: Hop On with Your Pass
Swiss Travel Pass: Free for the entire route.
Interrail / Eurail Global or Switzerland Pass: Free for the entire route.
Swiss Half Fare Card: 50% off regular tickets.
Do I need a reservation? Not as an individual traveler. Just take any free seat. If you want a guaranteed seat, you can reserve one for CHF 5. Groups must reserve, and group reservations are free of charge.
On board: First and second class, vending machines, a family area and step-free access.
From Lucerne you can carry on to the Bernese Oberland on the GoldenPass Express. Heading east, change at St. Gallen or Herisau for the Appenzeller Bahnen. Put it together and you have a full east to west journey across Switzerland.
We provide travel consulting service
