Gotthard Panorama Express. An eventful panorama journey by boat and train. SwissTravelSystem.com
An eventful panorama journey by boat and train. On the tracks of Switzerland: The Gotthard Panorama Express is not just any panorama route. Here, a combination of boat, train and two of the most beautiful regions of Switzerland blend into a first class experience. The Gotthard Panorama Express presents Switzerland from its most diverse side: surrounded by a genuinely impressive mountain panorama, a boat cruise first takes visitors through what is deemed the truly original part of Switzerland. At Flüelen, travellers change from the steamboat directly to the specially branded SBB train and arrive to a warm personal welcome from their travel guide. The journey continues on the world famous Gotthard panorama route towards southern Switzerland with its Mediterranean flair. The journey from Lucerne to Ticino (or vice versa) can be enjoyed in a 1st class panorama coach or in 2nd class, also offering a photo coach. En route through the imposing Reuss Valley towards Mediterranean Ticino, travellers are provided with fascinating tales and interesting background information regarding the unique Gotthard region. Basel Zürich St.Gallen Neuchâtel Bern Luzern Flüelen Chur Lausanne Interlaken Andermatt St.Moritz Genève Montreux Brig Locarno Bellinzona Zermatt Lugano History On this historic journey through time, guests enjoy special presentations regarding particular sights as well as history and myths around the Gotthard. The culinary aspect will not be neglected either: Warm meals are available on the boat and snacks and beverages can be enjoyed on the train. 2
Route highlights. En route from Lucerne to Bellinzona, the Gotthard Panorama Express includes the following highlights: Kreuztrichter basin (Lake Lucerne). The Kreuztrichter basin is the point at which all four arms of Lake Lucerne converge. Extending to the north from here is Lake Küssnacht; and on the opposite shore to the south the Stansstad basin. After leaving the Bay of Lucerne (west side) the boat enters the Vitznau basin to the east. Schiller Stone. After Brunnen Bay, a 25-metre high rock rises from Lake Lucerne. This is the Schiller Stone (accessible only by water) dedicated to German dramatist Friedrich Schiller in 1859 on his birth centenary. Inscribed in golden letters it is written To the singer of Tell, F. Schiller, the original cantons 1859. Rütli. The Rütli Meadow is the historic landmark where representatives of Switzerland's three founding cantons met in 1291 to swear an oath of eternal alliance "never to part in danger nor distress". This scenic site overlooking Lake Lucerne is closed to traffic. But it is accessible by boat; or on foot along the Swiss Path (approximately one hour from Seelisberg or Treib). Tell's Chapel / Tell's Slab. Tell s Chapel was built on Tell s Slab directly on the shoreline of Lake Uri in 1879/80. According to popular legend, it marks the spot where more than 700 years ago the condemned Wilhelm Tell leapt from a boat during a fierce storm to escape from his Habsburg captors. The chapel is decorated with beautiful frescoes depicting scenes from the heroic deeds of Tell. Gotthard Base Tunnel. The Gotthard Base Tunnel was 17 years in the making. The celebratory opening of this once-ina-century structure took place in June 2016. The 57-kilometre long structure between Erstfeld in Central Switzerland and Bodio in the south is the world s longest railway tunnel. Trains reach a maximum speed of 249 km/h in the tunnel, which significantly reduces travel times between north and south as compared to before the tunnel was in operation. More Information: SwissTravelSystem.com/gotthard 3
Wassen Church. The train line which passes Wassen is unique in that in order to gain height within a very restricted space it has to make the climb in a tight double loop. Passengers are able to admire the village s beautiful Baroque church no fewer than three times and from different angles from below, close-up and from above. Devil's Rock. Shortly before Göschenen, train passengers can see on the left (next to the motorway) a 12-metre high rock. According to legend, the Devil tried to use this rock to destroy a bridge across the nearby River Reuss. However a devout old lady marked the rock with a cross, causing the Devil to miss his aim. The rock landed instead where it now stands. Gotthard Tunnel. The existing 15-kilometre long Gotthard Train Tunnel between Göschenen and Airolo took 10 years to build (1872 to 1882) and was internationally acclaimed as a pioneering achievement for its time. The tunnel breakthrough took place on Sunday, 29 February 1880. Nearly 200 workers lost their lives during the tunnel construction. Ariolo highest-altitude SBB station. At 1142 metres, Airolo is the highest-altitude station on the Swiss Federal Railways network. Next to the station on the left in the direction of travel from north to south stands a monument to the nearly 200 workers who died during construction of the 15-kilometre Gotthard Tunnel. The monument was created by Swiss sculptor Vincenzo Vela in 1882, but not officially installed until 1932 on the 50th anniversary of the tunnel s opening. Loop tunnels. The narrow valley of Airolo leads to the wider plain of Ambri-Piotta. It s at Rodi-Fiesso that the most impressive section of the Gotthard southern ramp begins, with its two terrain levels (Piottina and Biaschina) totalling four loop tunnels. These facilitate the 650-metre descent in altitude difference between Rodi-Fiesso (942 metres) and Biasca (293 metres) within half an hour. Bellinzona Castles. After the Riviera Valley, the three imposing castles of Bellinzona come into view the Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro. The castles were built in the 15th century by the Dukes of Milan and together comprise a unique UNESCO World Heritage site. 4
Facts & Figures. Route Luzern Flüelen Bellinzona / Lugano or Lugano / Bellinzona Flüelen Luzern Offer Boat cruise Luzern Flüelen, steamboat Train ride Flüelen Bellinzona / Lugano, (air-conditioned 1st class panorama coach, air- conditioned 2nd class seat coach or non-air-conditioned photo coach with the possibility to open windows) Multi-lingual tour guide in 1st class panorama coaches App with information regarding history, myths and legends as well as announcement of scenic photo points Presentations in the Gotthard tunnel Live monitoring of the spectacular route layout with its loop tunnels Eating and drinking Optional lunch, snacks and beverages on the boat Optional snacks and beverages served at the seat on the train Timetable The Gotthard Panorama Express operates from Monday to Friday, 3 July to 20 October 2017 and additionally on weekends between 14 July and 22 October 2017. General timetable information regarding Gotthard Panorama Express is to be found at SwissTravelSystem.com/gotthard Travel duration Luzern Flüelen 2h 45 min (boat) Flüelen Bellinzona app. 1h 45 min (at the weekends from 14 April 2017 to 22 October 2017) Flüelen Lugano 2h 30 min (during the week from 3 July to 20 October 2017) Route length 182 kilometres / 113 miles Route stops Boat cruise Luzern Flüelen by steam boat: Verkehrshaus-Lido (Lido of the Swiss Museum of Transportation) Hertenstein Weggis Vitznau Beckenried Gersau Treib Brunnen Rütli Sisikon Tellsplatte Flüelen Boat cruise Luzern Flüelen by salon motor vessel: Verkehrshaus-Lido (Lido of the Swiss Museum of Transportation) Hertenstein Weggis Vitznau Beckenried Gersau Treib Brunnen Rütli Sisikon/Bauen Tellsplatte/Isleten-Isenthal Flüelen Train ride Flüelen Bellinzona: Erstfeld Göschenen Airolo Faido Biasca Bellinzona Lugano The reservation surcharge of CHF 24 on the Gotthard Panorama Express is due on any section of the route that includes the passage through the Gotthard tunnel. For any section without passage through the Gotthard tunnel, a surcharge of CHF 12 applies. 5
Seat reservation and surcharge Glacier Express and Gotthard Panorama Express can be easily combined by changing at the intersection in Andermatt / Göschenen. Reservation surcharge required for all passengers Entire route CHF 24, sections CHF 12 Ticket information Individual passenger fares (excluding reservation surcharge): Ticket Routes and fares Luzern Lugano / Bellinzona or vice versa Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) 1st class Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) 2nd class included CHF 29 in 1st class / included in 2nd class CHF 26 in 1st class / included in 2nd class Swiss Half Fare Card CHF 75 in 1st class / CHF 46 in 2nd class CHF 68 in 1st class / CHF 42 in 2nd class Children aged 6 16 with Swiss Family Card free of charge Without reduction CHF 150 in 1st class / CHF 92 in 2nd class CHF 136 in 1st class / CHF 84 in 2nd class Eurail / Interrail 1st class CHF 34.50 in 1st class / CHF 23 in 2nd class CHF 34.50 in 1st class / CHF 23 in 2nd class Eurail / Interrail 2nd class CHF 81 in 1st class / CHF 23 in 2nd class CHF 75 in 1st class / CHF 23 in 2nd class IMPORTANT: The Gotthard Panorama Express operates only seasonally. During the winter season, a boat cruise and a train ride over the Gotthard can be combined. However, another change of transportation at Erstfeld is necessary. Also, a motor vessel instead of a steamboat is used for the boat cruise. In this case, no surcharge applies. All prices are subject to change. Points-of-sale At worldwide Swiss Travel System points-of-sale SwissTravelSystem.com/wheretobuy At every Swiss railway station 6