Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast Episode 104 Transcript
Why the Luzern Interlaken Express is Switzerland’s must-ride scenic train (and how to book it)
You can see the full show notes and listen to this episode > here.
Intro
Are you dreaming of visiting Switzerland? Planning a trip to Switzerland is very exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. How do you choose which of the many scenic cities, towns and villages to visit? Which mountain top excursions should you take? And what’s the best way to get around Switzerland? And of course, how much of the country can you realistically see within your timeframe? If you’ve asked yourself any of these questions, this is the podcast for you. This is the Holidays to Switzerland travel podcast, and in each episode, your host Carolyn Schönafinger chats with Swiss travel experts to answer your most commonly asked questions, provide practical tips and take you on a virtual visit to the most popular destinations, and of course, some hidden gems to help you plan your dream trip to Switzerland. And you’ll hear plenty of conversations about Swiss cheese and chocolate too. Are you ready to plan your trip to Switzerland? Well, let’s get started.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Hi there and welcome to another episode of the Holidays to Switzerland podcast. I’m your host Carolyn and I’m thrilled to have you with us here today. For many folks, no visit to Switzerland is complete without enjoying a scenic train ride. And there are certainly plenty of those to choose from. Today we’re chatting about the Luzern Interlaken Express one of the shorter but absolutely spectacular routes that are classified as premium panoramic journeys. As the name suggests, this train line connects the popular destinations of Lucerne and Interlaken making it the perfect way to travel between the two. And because it’s a relatively short journey, it can be experienced even if you only have a short amount of time to spend in Switzerland. The Luzern Interlaken Express can be enjoyed as a one off train trip. Or it can form part of a multi day train itinerary such as the Grand train tour of Switzerland. The choice is totally yours. And the journey is fully covered by a number of Swiss rail passes, all of which you can buy from our webshop at holidaystoswitzerland.com/shop. My guest today is Chris Rigert, who was born and bred in Lucerne, and has a passion for promoting this beautiful region. He’s going to tell us everything we need to know about this scenic journey, including the trip highlights which side of the train to sit on, details about taking luggage on board, and much more. I hope you enjoy the episode.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Hello, Chris, thank you very much for agreeing to come on to the podcast.
Chris Rigert
Thank you, Carolyn, and thank you for the invitation.
Carolyn Schönafinger
My pleasure. Now I’m really looking forward to hearing all about your job and the beautiful trains that you represent. But before we get into that, could you just tell us a little bit about yourself and your background in the Swiss tourism industry?
Chris Rigert
Yeah, for sure. I am Chris Rigert. Born and raised in Lucerne. I used to study tourism in Lucerne where a lot of my classmates still work in the industry. And it’s always great to catch up with them. And after my studies, I worked for several years as an event manager in a hotel at the shore of the Lake Lucerne before I became sales manager with Pilatus Railways. And since February, I work with the Zentralbahn, where I’m in the sales team with Stefan Pfister. And we both promote the Luzern Interlaken Express in different markets all over the world.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Fantastic. Well, it’s definitely a great product. And now we’re actually had the pleasure of meeting you in person last year, when you were still working at Mt. Pilatus. So another great product that you’ve had the opportunity to represent to the world. So how lucky are you?
Chris Rigert
Yeah, yes, definitely. It’s very, very nice products in Switzerland and also in the area of central Switzerland, while also of course in the Bernese Oberland. And yeah, it’s just stunning with all the lakes and mountains and landscapes in Switzerland. l really love to represent the tourism industry all over the world.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Yeah, it’s certainly a beautiful part of the world, that’s for sure. So for those people that are listening, who are perhaps familiar with the name Luzern Interlaken Express, which is one of the trains that your company runs, I guess. Can you tell us exactly what the Luzern Interlaken Express is?
Chris Rigert
Yes, the Luzern Interlaken Express is a premium panoramic train line connecting the top destinations Lucerne and Interlaken. So during a scenic trail ride of less than two hours past centuries will marvel at five crystal clear mountain lakes that gathered the waters from various rivers and waterfalls.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Yeah, I’ve been lucky enough to travel on this line numerous times. And I have to say, and I hope some of the other premium panoramic train reps aren’t listening, but I think it is probably the most picturesque. I just love all the lakes and the mountains. And it’s so spectacular. So what would you say are the highlights of the journey?
Chris Rigert
Yeah, definitely. They’re right along the shores of the five crystal clear lakes, but also the waterfalls you will find in the area of Lumen, Meiringen, and Lake of Brienz. And in winter, you will find snow, especially in the area of Brunni, where the train goes up to more than 1000 meters above sea level.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Yeah, it’s definitely a spectacular ride. Now, some people that have heard of the train and they know about the lakes, they might look on a map and say, Okay, if we’re going from Lucerne to Interlaken, we’re going to have the Lungernersee, which is very famous on social media, on the right hand side, and then we’re gonna have Lake Brienz on the left hand side. So which side of the train should they sit on? Because there’s actually a bit of a trick there, isn’t there?
Chris Rigert
Yeah, there is actually a trick, because the trick is actually admiring where the train turns. So it’s definitely recommended to sit on the right hand side of the train. So you have the lakes always on the right hand side. And because the train turns in Meiringen in the middle station, you have also Lake of Brienz, on the right hand side. So it’s definitely worth to know and to book a seat on the right hand side.
Carolyn Schönafinger
That’s right. So just to explain for those people who are not sure what we mean here, rather than actually the train going through the station, admiring and I guess he could explain it as the train goes into Meiringen and then it kind of it comes out the same way that it went in, because the track then turns in the other direction.
Chris Rigert
Exactly, yeah.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Perfect. So we’re sitting on the right hand side of the train, regardless of whether we leave from Lucerne or Interlaken to get those fabulous, close up lake views. And I have been lucky enough to sit on the right, and you put your iPhone up on the window, right flat up against the window, you can actually get some pretty good photos without any glare. So it’s, it’s well worth it. You mentioned there about booking a seat on the right hand side, is it actually mandatory to make seat reservations on the train?
Chris Rigert
No, it’s not. But for groups of 10, and more, it’s compulsory to book seats in advance. So then we can make sure the group is allocated all together. But for FIT travelers, we recommend booking a seat prior to departure, especially during peak season and peak times in the morning and in the evening. But also, of course, to make sure that you have a seat on the right hand side because of that late use of course.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Okay. And so where do people make those seat reservations?
Chris Rigert
The seat reservations, they can book directly with us on our website, zentralbahn.ch. Zentralbahn with a z in the beginning.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Okay, great. Now, I guess people can obviously, on your website or at the station before they board the train, they can just buy a ticket for that journey. But a lot of our listeners buy a rail pass when they come to Switzerland. So which of the rail passes fully cover the journey on the Luzern Interlaken Express?
Chris Rigert
The Swiss Travel Pass and Eurail covers the ticket price of the Luzern Interlaken Express but not the seat booking. So this is a separate to purchase separate but the ticket price is included.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Okay. And what about the regional passes? I believe the Tell Pass and the Berner Oberland Pass also cover the journey.
Chris Rigert
Exactly. Yeah. It also covers yeah.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Okay, great. So for people that have a rail pass, they can rest easy that the journey on the train is covered. But they will need to make a seat reservation separately if they want to guarantee a window seat or a seat on the right hand side of the train.
Chris Rigert
Yes.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Okay. So what sort of facilities are available on board the train? You mentioned that the journey time is just under two hours? Can people buy food and drinks? And what sort of other things can they expect on board?
Chris Rigert
Yes, so we have a first and a second class on board where we find more space in the first class. However, the size of the panoramic windows are the same and the view is not less stunning in the second class. And in the middle of the train there is also a restaurant where you can grab refreshments but also get amazed by the local and seasonal meals we serve. And our trains are wheelchair accessible and offer restrooms.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Oh, fantastic. So what about luggage? Because many of the people listening to this podcast will be going on the trip as part of their big Swiss vacation and they’re no doubt going to have luggage with them. Is there very much room to store their luggage in the carriages?
Chris Rigert
Yes, with the growing demand, we even have extended the luggage area. And as our trains are wheelchair accessible, it’s also convenient, bringing suitcases on board and luggage as well.
Carolyn Schönafinger
That’s great to know. So some of the premium panoramic trains have quite limited services every day. What about the Luzern Interlaken Express?
Chris Rigert
As we belong to the government and also offer to the to the public that the transportation from Lucerne to Interlaken come to commute for local people. We have actually 29 departures every day all year round. So it’s very easy to find a suitable departure. So we have early departures from six o’clock in the morning until and eight o’clock in the evening in both directions.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Okay, so there should never be any problem finding a seat.
Chris Rigert
Yes.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Fantastic. Now the Luzern Interlaken Express, it connects the two cities that you mentioned Lucerne and Interlaken and in Interlaken, and people can then join the Golden Pass Express. And these two routes together form what’s known as the Golden Pass Line. So if someone is planning to do both of those journeys in the same day, is there anything in particular that they need to know?
Chris Rigert
It’s, the Golden Pass Line is the entire route from Lucerne via Interlaken to Montreux. So the guests need to change the platform in Interlaken, but there is enough time actually. So there is 10 to 15 minutes in between so the guests can easily find that next departure platform.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Okay, so it’s a very smooth and easy connection.
Chris Rigert
Yes, yes.
Carolyn Schönafinger
As we have come to expect with the Swiss rail.
Chris Rigert
Yes, at the train station Interlaken is not that big. So they have just a few platforms. So it’s very easy to find the right one, right?
Carolyn Schönafinger
Yeah, Zentralbahn also operates another train. Well, many trains no doubt. But the other one we’re going to mention is the Luzern Engelberg Express. What can you tell us about this particular train journey?
Carolyn Schönafinger
Luzern Engelberg Express is the most convenient way to reach Engelberg by public transport. So even it does not belong to the premium panoramic train lines you can enjoy a scenic landscape and find panoramic windows in the first class. It takes only 33 minutes from Lucerne to Engelberg, then with another 25 minutes, you can already reach the top of Mount Titlis, so the only mountain in central Switzerland where you will find snow all year round. So when we run the Luzern Engelberg Express as well, and then you can change in Engelberg to Titlis cableways to the top of Mount Titlis.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Okay, and that’s a very regular service too, is it, the Luzern Engelberg Express?
Chris Rigert
Yeah, it has also hourly departures also from the mornings and the evenings as well.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Okay, excellent. So what would be your top tips for anyone planning to enjoy a ride on either the Luzern Interlaken Express or the Luzern Engelberg Express.
Chris Rigert
I really like the Luzern Interlaken Express because of the five lakes and it’s very convenient. So if you are a guest and just want to explore Switzerland, you can easily combine the Luzern Interlaken Express when you arrive in Zürich, then you can just get on the train in Lucerne and enjoy a scenic panoramic train ride to Interlaken so you have a load of opportunities in Lucerne, but also in Interlaken and along the train line. Yeah, if you’d like to go to Engelberg and experience this area, it’s very nice in wintertime, so you can go ski there. And in summertime, there are a lot of hiking routes as well. So also for the Luzern Engelberg Express, there are also an offer for families. They have like a game on the train journey to Engelberg. So there is a riddle to solve. And so it’s also very nice for families.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Excellent, very good. Well, I’ll include a link in the show notes to the Zentralbahn website so that anyone wanting to make those seat reservations can do so. I’ll also put links to where our listeners can buy any of those rail passes we mentioned that include the journey within the pass and also, most of those passes also include the Luzern Engelberg Express as well. So that’s another great thing to know. Thank you very much, Chris, for sharing all that info with us today. As I mentioned earlier, I do think it’s one of, the Luzern Interlaken Express is one of, if not the most scenic, of the premium panoramic train rides. Just that’s my humble opinion. So I’d encourage anyone who’s going to Switzerland and visiting either of those two popular destinations to make sure they include a ride on the train in their itinerary.
Chris Rigert
Thank you so much, Carolyn. Yeah, for all the audience. Let’s come to Switzerland and enjoy the stunning nature and landscape.
Carolyn Schönafinger
That’s right. And you can do that all year round, which is absolutely fantastic.
Chris Rigert
Yes.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Thank you so much, Chris.
Chris Rigert
Thank you, Carolyn. Thank you so much. Have a good day.
Carolyn Schönafinger
Bye bye.
Chris Rigert
Bye.
Carolyn Schönafinger
I can confidently say that whichever direction you’re traveling, the journey on the Luzern Interlaken Express will take your breath away. The trip is just under two hours and it goes so fast as you gaze in awe at the rolling hills. Glimpse mountain peaks marvel at the engineering feats as you cross the Bruneck paths, and a mesmerized by waterfalls and the turquoise water of five lakes. This really is a train ride you won’t forget. As Chris mentioned, the Luzern Interlaken Express is fully covered with the Swiss travel pass, the Euro global pass, the Berner Oberland pass and the tail pass and the trip is also included in many of the rail packages offered by our partner Switzerland Travel Center. These packages which include rail travel and accommodation are perfect if you don’t have the time, or the inclination to plan everything yourself. And if you book one of the rail vacations and use our code HTSwiss, you’ll get 5% off. How good’s that? You’ll find links to buy rail passes and to view the different rail packages in the show notes for this episode, as well as a link to our article about the Luzern Interlaken Express. The article includes a step by step guide to making seat reservations should you wish to do this. I hope you’ve enjoyed hearing all about the Luzern Interlaken Express in today’s episode. If you have I’d be really grateful if you could spare a minute or two to leave a five star rating or a review on your favorite podcast. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. Looking forward to chatting to you again next time. Until then, tschüss.
You can see the full show notes and listen to this episode > here.
