How to take either of the two options for making the journey from Basel to Bellinzona (fast or scenic)

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Basel / Bâle to Bellinzona by train

There are two different rail services available when taking a journey by train from Basel to Bellinzona.
No matter which train you take, you will be travelling on a lovely route, which will take you by four lakes; the Zurichsee, the Zugersee, the Lauerzersee and the Luzernsee.

Though south of Fluelen, on the shore of the Luzernsee, these two train services take different routes:

(1) The 'Traverso' (IR) trains still take the older 'classic' and much more spectacular route via Goschenen.
If you are new to Swiss rail travel, have the time available and the weather is behaving itself, taking these trains is the way to go.

(2) The express services, the IC and EC trains are faster, because they make use of the world's longest rail tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, which by-passes the most beautiful section of that 'classic' route.
So these trains will get to Bellinzona quicker, but the journey won't be as wonderful!

Routes you can take to go from Basel / Bâle to Bellinzona

When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.

Choose one of the following options:

Looking for connections?

Journey guides for travel to Basel / Bâle

Route Information

Option 1: the more scenic route

Station Guides

The view towards Basel SBB from the tram stops in front of the station

Basel SBB / Bâle CFF Rail Station Guide

Bellinzona Rail Station Guide

Travel Time (approx)

3hr 57min

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

7 x trains per day

These trains typically depart every other hour, in the even hours

Travel Information

Final Destination: Locarno

These trains also call at: Goschenen (connect for the MGB trains to Andermatt and beyond);
Airolo; Faido and Biasca

This is a direct journey

You will be travelling on one of these trains...

Image has been taken from the rail.pictures website

Traverso (Switzerland) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - YesLandscape (Hills / Mountains)Lake views

Good to Know

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 Basel 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.

Journey description:

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 Basel and Bellinzona.

The most scenic part of this journey by train from Basel to Bellinzona 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.

The next beautiful vista to look out for comes after departure from Arth-Goldau station, when on the right, the train will pass by the Lauerzersee.

The train then travels through a dramatic landscape to the north of Schwyz.

Just to the south of here, also look out on the right for glimpses of the Luzernsee.

Between Erstfeld and Goschenen the best of the views are on the left; this video was filmed from a train heading north,

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!

Though as the video below shows, filmed from a train travelling in the opposite direction, the journey ends with a final flourish as the train train travels through the valley north of Bellinzona.

The scenic route through taken on departure from Luzern

Looking over Lake Zug from the left-hand side of the train

Looking down on the town of Arth on a grey day

South of Arth-Goldau

Then look out for glimpses of the Luzernsee also on the right

South of Erstfeld, these views can't be seen from the faster trains

Heading to Wassen the best of the views are on the right..

...and over on the left

Don't miss looking down on Wassen and its white church

The spectacular views continue to the south of the older Gottard Tunnel

These views from the loops in the line south of Airolo...

...are a prelude of the similar, but more spectacular views south of Faido

Nearing journey's end to the north of Bellinzona

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Related Content

How to take either of the two options for making the journey from Basel to Bellinzona (fast or scenic)

Share this journey with a friend...

Basel / Bâle to Bellinzona by train