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 From Lucerne: Day tour Jungfraujoch by bus and cogwheel train

    Leave the city of Lucerne and admire the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Jungfrau-Aletsch. Enjoy an... from CHF 274
    Offer details


    valid: 18.07.2025 - 31.03.2026

    Learn more about From Lucerne: Day tour Jungfraujoch by bus and cogwheel train
  • Lucerne Grindelwald First: Day Trip from Lucerne

    Depart for an early-morning drive past five different mountain lakes to the idyllic Bernese... from CHF 180.50
    Offer details
    Learn more about Grindelwald First: Day Trip from Lucerne
  • Lucerne Lake Lucerne Castles and Villas Tour

    Check out the elegant villas and castles of Lucerne with this half-day walking tour, and take in... from CHF 198
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    Learn more about Lake Lucerne Castles and Villas Tour
  • Lucerne Lucerne - Flüelen boat ticket

    You take this route ticket from Lucerne, sailing nearly three hours across Lake Lucerne to Flüelen.... from CHF 53
    Offer details


    valid: 18.07.2025 - 30.12.2025

    Learn more about Lucerne - Flüelen boat ticket
  • Lucerne Façade painting and puns City tour in Lucerne

    Immerse yourself in the facade art of the city of Lucerne. Follow in the footsteps of the artists... from CHF 30
    Offer details


    valid: 06.09.2025

    Learn more about Façade painting and puns City tour in Lucerne