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 Photography course for beginners 2 days in Lucerne

    Dive into the world of photography with this hands-on fundamentals course. Learn lots of new things... from CHF 358
    Offer details


    valid: 20.09.2025 - 16.09.2026

    Learn more about Photography course for beginners 2 days in Lucerne
  • Lucerne The heart of Lucerne with the Etuktuk

    Local driver / guideLive comment on board60-minute personal tour in the eTukTuk from CHF 65
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  • Lucerne Wanderferien Waldstätterweg & Weg der Schweiz

    8 nights, Erleben Sie die Geschichte der Schweiz bei dieser traumhaften Panorama-Wanderung. Der Waldstätterweg... from CHF 1,555
    Offer details

    Price per person in double room

    Learn more about Wanderferien Waldstätterweg & Weg der Schweiz
  • Lucerne Mount Rigi Summer Day Trip from Lucerne

    Boat cruise, cogwheel train, aerial cable carFully guided tour by professional multilingual... from CHF 139
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    Learn more about Mount Rigi Summer Day Trip from Lucerne
  • Lucerne Rafting in Interlaken from Lucerne

    Certified outdoor guides during the rafting adventure (English/German)Transportation in a... from CHF 252
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    Learn more about Rafting in Interlaken from Lucerne
  • Lucerne "Legends of Lake Lucerne" Steamship Experience

    The five-hour paddle steamer cruise offers a five-course menu and exciting stories about Lake... from CHF 554
    Offer details


    valid: 15.05.2026 - 15.09.2026

    Learn more about "Legends of Lake Lucerne" Steamship Experience
  • Lucerne "Diamond Hunt" Smartphone Scavenger Hunt in Lucerne

    Play as a team in a smartphone scavenger hunt in the city of Lucerne. This game combines old... from CHF 38
    Offer details


    valid: 19.09.2025 - 16.09.2026

    Learn more about "Diamond Hunt" Smartphone Scavenger Hunt in Lucerne
  • Lucerne Waldstätterweg & Swiss Path, 9 days

    Included: Overnight stays as listed incl. breakfast Daily luggage transfers Costs for luggage... from CHF 725
    Offer details


    valid: 19.09.2025 - 26.09.2025

    Learn more about Waldstätterweg & Swiss Path, 9 days