8 Day | Scenic Contrasts Holiday

Travel over the Alps from traditionally Swiss Lucerne to the Mediterranean way of life in Lugano

Gotthard Panorama Express passing Wassen Church
Viewing platform on the Stanserhorn
Lugano lakeside promenade

This is one of our 'Relaxing Two Centre' holidays, offering you the chance to stay in two resorts which complement each other, and which are connected by a scenic rail journey.  There are plenty of day trips to enjoy - free or heavily discounted with your Swiss Travel Pass - or you could simply relax amidst the beautiful scenery. The holiday can be adapted in various ways to suit you, including upgrading your hotel room, adding more resorts and rail journeys or changing the duration. This holiday is suggested as 8 days, but can easily be extended to a fortnight. 

Please call 0800 619 1200 for help with planning or email us at info@swissholidayco.com

 

"A journey on the original Gotthard route showing Switzerland's contrasting regions and beautiful lakeside resorts. Enjoy a cruise along the length of Lake Lucerne followed by a journey on panoramic train on the looping track through the mountains - 1st class all the way"

Get your holiday quotation today

Contact us to book your holiday

Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com

Day 1 - Arrive and explore charming Lucerne

Fly from the UK to Zurich in under 2 hours with connecting rail travel to Lucerne. Welcome to your hotel for your 4 night stay and enjoy exploring the Old Town and lakeside.

Day 2-4 - Free days to enjoy the beautiful Old Town, lake and mountains

With your Swiss Travel Pass, Lucerne is perfectly placed to enjoy free travel around the dramatic scenery of Central Switzerland - try a lake cruise which is a great way to relax and connect with your mountain visits. Also included free with your Swiss Travel Pass are the famous old cog railway to the stunning peak of Mount Rigi, the Stanserhorn open top deck cable car and the Stoos funicular, and even a trip further afield to historic Bern. Pilatus and other mountain railways and cable cars around Lake Lucerne are available at a 50% reduction.

Day 5 - Travel 1st class on the Gotthard Panorama Express to Lugano

Your next adventure is at a leisurely pace on the Gotthard Panorama Express. This unforgettable journey starts with a 2½ hour cruise criss-crossing beautiful Lake Lucerne all the way to Flüelen. Then join the rail section of the route in special panoramic 1st class coaches for the spectacular journey through the original Gotthard Tunnel. It’s then a gentle meander down to Bellinzona in the Ticino region and a first glimpse of Lugano.

Day 6-7 - Enjoy la dolce vita in Lugano and the Ticino region

Lugano is a resort where the Italian influence affects all aspects of life, from the architecture to what you eat, and of course the shopping. Situated on stunning Lake Lugano, the town is also well placed for enjoying the verdant local mountains. Your Ticino Ticket gives you free travel on local trains and buses helping you get the most out of your holiday. You could visit the region’s historical capital, Bellinzona, with three fabulous historic castles to explore or take a day to visit Locarno and a trip on the Centovalli Line, now only 30 minutes away by train.

Day 8 - Last day

Time for a last look around Lugano before you take the train back to Zurich airport for your flight to the UK.

 

2025 pricing

4 nights in Lucerne and 3 nights in Lugano

Available all year

(The official operating dates are Tuesdays-Sundays April-October, however you can travel on the same route at other times. More details...)

Guide prices from £1,657 per person staying in 3 star hotels or from £2,033 per person staying in 4 star hotels

Upgrade to 1st class Swiss Travel Pass from just £162 per person

Include half board (Lucerne only) from £291 (3 star) or £261 (4 star) per person

 

Your holiday price includes

Booking Conditions
  • Scheduled return flights from London to Zurich including taxes and hold baggage (flights are available from around the UK)
  • 8 day Swiss Travel Pass covering all rail journeys described and many more (2nd class)
  • 7 nights’ hotel accommodation bed and breakfast as described based on two people sharing
  • 1st class lake steamer and rail travel on the Gotthard Panorama Express Lucerne-Lugano with reserved seats on the train
  • Ticino Ticket in Lugano offering free bus and train travel around the area
  • Personalised full detailed itinerary sent with all tickets
  • Financial protection ATOL 3148
The Swiss Travel Pass offers free travel on trains, scenic trains, PostBuses and most boats, with up to 50% discount for mountain railways and cable cars. Optional excursions may not operate year round, please check before booking. Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com
 

Request your holiday quotation

Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com

Swiss Trail Pass
 

Your holiday includes a Swiss Travel Pass, covering the rail journeys below as well as many scenic excursions

Steamer on Lake Lucerne
  More photos

Your scenic train journey

You can discover more about this scenic route by clicking below

Gotthard Panorama Express 

 

Gotthard Panorama Express video

More holidays like this

Idyllic villages on the route of the Luzern-Interlaken Express

Take a look at our selection of scenic rail holidays across Switzerland

More holidays like this

Build your own scenic itinerary

Glacier Express on the Landwasser Viaduct
Not quite the perfect holiday? We can tailor make it to suit you:
  • Change the direction of travel
  • Add extra nights along the way
  • Add on lakes & mountains excursions
  • Include dinner on a half board basis
  • Upgrade to superior hotel rooms
  • Upgrade to 1st class rail for extra comfort
  • Bespoke prices available 2025
Request a scenic holiday quote
Cookies on The Swiss Holiday Company website



We use essential cookies to make our website work, while additional cookies are used to make improvements. Please be assured that we do not collect personal information unless you wish to fill out our request forms for brochures, quotation or newsletter.