Final Destination: Bellinzona (from Apr 4th the final destination will be Locarno)
These trains also call at: Goschenen (connect for the MGB trains to Andermatt and beyond)
Airolo; Faido and Biasca
* it looks as though the 7 x trains per day, which consists of depatures every other hour, in even hours, will be available from Apr 4th.
These trains, which are operated by SOB and not the national operator SBB, take a slower, but much more scenic route than than the alternative express trains between Zurich and Bellinzona.
Those express trains race through the world's longest railway tunnel, which diverts them from the older and most spectacular part of the older Gottardo route.
This older route is more fabulously beautiful than many of the special Swiss mountain railways which are famed for offering incredible journeys.
So if time is on your side, take these trains on a journey from Zurich to Bellinzona and beyond into Ticino.
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Type of Scenery: Lake
Star Rating: **
The most scenic part of this journey by train from Basel to Erstfeld comes to the south of Luzern.
Though to the north of Luzern there are views on the left over the Sempachersee
The train will reverse direction on departure from Luzern.
Between Luzern and Arth Goldau from the left of these these trains) there are some fabulous views over Lake Zug.
Then after departing Arth-Goldau the Lauerzersee can be seen on the right.
Then just to the south of here, also look out on the right for glimpses of the Luzernsee.
After Erstfeld station the express trains enter the world's longest railway tunnel, but these trains take the older Gottardo route.
Between Erstfeld and Goschenen the best of the views are on the left, but it doesn't matter which side of the train you are seated on, in order to enjoy the incredible views over the village of Wassen with its white church on a hilltop.
That's because the railway loops in order to climb the mountain, and as it does so, the village can be seen from both sides of the train.
After departure from Goschenen the train enters the older Gotthard Tunnel, and between that tunnel and Bellinzona there are fabulous views from both sides of the train.
The railway will loop around in order to descend the mountains to the south of Airolo station, but this is a prelude to the final highlight of the trip, which occurs as the train descends the mountain on another set of looping curves between Faido and Biasca.
The views looking down the valley with the railway tracks below are breathtaking!
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If you are new to travelling by train in Switzerland our Swiss Train Travel Guide is packed with info and useful links to help ensure you’ll have a stress-free trip.
