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Wilhelm Tell Express

Lucerne - Vierwaldstättersee - Gotthard - Ticino

lake steamer photo

PHOTOS: The Wilhelm Tell Express itinerary has two sections: a cruise by paddlewheel steamer between Lucerne and Flüelen, and a crossing of the Alps (via the Gotthard Tunnel) on a first-class train with panorama cars.

train photo Switzerland is famous for its express trains, such as the Glacier Express between Zermatt and St. Moritz and the Bernina Express between Chur and Tirano, Italy. The Wilhelm Tell Express brings a unique twist to the scenic express-train theme, however: It combines a transalpine railroad journey with a nearly three-hour voyage by boat on two Swiss lakes.

The Wilhelm Tell Express runs from the beginning of May until late October, with two southbound and two northbound departures per day. Here's the 2007 schedule with times in 24-hour format:

Southbound from Lucerne:	Northbound from Ticino:
Dep Lucerne 0922 or 1125	Dep Locarno 0939 or 1239
Arr Flüelen 1208 or 1457	or
Dep Flüelen 1216 or 1516	Dep Lugano 0912* or 1212*
Arr Locarno 1419 or 1719	Arr Flüelen 1139 or 1439
or	Dep Flüelen 1220 or 1503
Arr Lugano 1446* or 1746 *	Arr Lucerne 1512 or 1825
* Change trains in Bellinzona

The all-first-class trip includes the Vierwaldstättersee (also known as the Lake of the Four Forest Cantons or Lake Lucerne), the rugged Urisee (Lake Uri, home of the William Tell legend), the famous Gotthard Tunnel through the Alps, the castle city of Bellinzona (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and the sunny valleys of Ticino, Switzerland's only Italian-speaking canton.

Both ends of the express route have good connections with major cities: Lucerne is only about 45 minutes from Zürich, and Lugano is roughly 1½ hours from Milan. Locarno, the southern terminus of the Wilhelm Tell Express, offers a connection to the Centovalli Railway, which runs between Lake Maggiore and the Italian town of Domodossola, where you can change for an express to the French- and German-speaking alpine resorts of Canton Valais in Switzerland.

Fares: In 2007, the full adult fare for the approximately five-hour journey is CHF 158. However, you'll save 60 francs if you have the Swiss Card or Swiss Half-Fare Card, and if you have a first-class Swiss Pass or Eurailpass, you'll pay only a reservation fee of CHF 38. (Advance booking is required; the fee includes your train seat, lunch, a map/guidebook leaflet, and a small souvenir.)

For more information, visit the official Wilhelm Tell Express Web site and take our 16-page photo tour that begins on the next page.

Next page: Wilhelm Tell Express photos

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Introduction	Wilhelm Tell Express photos

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Wilhelm Tell Express

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