Intro

The gentle side of Switzerland: It’s not all 4000-metre mountains and deep ravines. On the Voralpen-Express, visitors discover a different kind of Switzerland – undulating hills, picturesque villages and lovely orchards.

Voralpen-Express is the most appealing way to travel between Eastern and Central Switzerland. Starting from Eastern Switzerland’s urban centre of St. Gallen, whose Abbey district is a UNESCO world heritage site, the train traverses the 99 metre high Sitter viaduct and the rolling landscape of “Toggenburg”. Passing by Rapperswil and the impressive upland moor near Rothenthurm, the journey ends after a little over two hours in historic Lucerne on the shores of Lake Lucerne.

Facts

Route: St. Gallen – Wattwil – Rapperswil – Arth Goldau – Luzern
Distance: 125 km
Duration: 2 h 18 min

Excursion tips

St. Gallen and surrounding area
  • Abbey district and Abbey library
  • Säntis – one of the most breathtaking panoramas of Switzerland at 2505 m a.s.l.
  • Appenzell region – tradition is important between Bodensee and Säntis
Rapperswil and surrounding area
  • Rapperswil castle
  • Lake Zurich Navigation – 2 steamboats and 12 motor boats regularly navigate Lake Zurich
Lucerne
  • Lion’s Monument – in memorial of Swiss citizens who died in 1792 during the French Revolution
  • Lake Lucerne boat tours
  • Landscape and Animal Park Goldau – refuge for stags, wolves, lynxes and other wild animals

Food & Beverages

Each train has a bistro coach with catering services.

Timetable

All connections here

Ticket

This route is fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) and GA travelcard.
Book tickets

Offers

Book here

Reservations

No seat reservation possible – free seating.

Discover the surroundings

Overview

Hint

Overview
Lucerne
Lucerne – Lake Lucerne
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Travel information: Lucerne

  • Lucerne Private Lucerne Family Walking Tour

    Skip the crowds this is a private tour for your group only! Often described as the “Heart of... from CHF 624
    Offer details
    Learn more about Private Lucerne Family Walking Tour
  • Lucerne Engelberg and Mount Titlis Trip by Train

    Visit Engelberg and Mount Titlis on a trip from Lucerne, and discover both mountain peaks and a... from CHF 331
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    Learn more about Engelberg and Mount Titlis Trip by Train
  • Lucerne "Chernobyl" virtual reality game in Lucerne

    With the virtual reality game "Chernobyl", you experience virtual puzzles together in Lucerne while... from CHF 109
    Offer details


    valid: 22.08.2025 - 19.08.2026

    Learn more about "Chernobyl" virtual reality game in Lucerne
  • Lucerne Carnival guided city tour Lucerne

    Dive into the "Carnival Luzern" and learn all about Brother Fritschi, Guurgerbaum, Tagwach, and much... from CHF 30
    Offer details


    valid: 08.11.2025

    Learn more about Carnival guided city tour Lucerne
  • Lucerne Lucerne - Brunnen Train Ticket by Boat

    You travel with this route ticket between Lucerne and Brunnen for about two hours across the... from CHF 46
    Offer details


    valid: 22.08.2025 - 16.02.2026

    Learn more about Lucerne - Brunnen Train Ticket by Boat