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.

by Durant Imboden

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 (a.k.a. the William 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. See the official timetable for details.

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 2009, when this article was last updated, the full adult fare for the approximately five-hour journey was CHF 166. However, you'll pay only CHF 102,50 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 39. (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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