The Voralpen Express: Two Hours of Scenic Therapy

The Voralpen Express knows how to make an entrance, gliding through Switzerland’s pre-Alpine landscape like a laid-back storyteller with a flair for the scenic. It doesn’t race, roar or rush. Instead, it saunters along, letting you soak in rolling hills, shimmering lakes and castles that look like they’ve popped out of a storybook and straight onto your windowpane.

Between Lucerne and St. Gallen, the route serves up more visual delights than a Netflix binge session of Chef’s Table with rolling hills greener than Kermit’s wardrobe and castles straight out of a Disney flick (because let’s be honest, Switzerland basically invented fairy tales).

This train isn’t interested in breaking any speed records. It’s more about the slow reveal. It’s the kind of journey where you notice the way sunlight dances on a lake. Each village along the way seems to lean in and whisper, “You’re in no hurry here.”

If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of everyday Swiss life, you’re in luck. The Voralpen Express doubles as a moving window into pastoral perfection. As you enjoy the trip, you’ll get a glimpse of cows casually grazing like they own the place. And then there are the lakes—oh, the lakes. Some shimmer so perfectly you’d swear they were made of glass.

The Voralpen Express takes its time, and that’s exactly what makes the trip so rewarding. Go and enjoy every detail without feeling rushed.

The Voralpen Express stops

Lucerne

Before you even board the Voralpen Express, it’s a brilliant idea to soak up everything Lucerne has to offer. As the very first stop on the route, Lucerne rolls out the red carpet with all the charm, culture and cobblestones you could ask for.

Start your Lucerne journey by strolling across the iconic Chapel Bridge. This 14th-century wooden wonder is the city’s ultimate selfie backdrop. Walk it slow, soak up the romance and peek at the Water Tower standing tall like the city’s ancient bouncer.

The Swiss Museum of Transport is another standout. Imagine vintage locomotives, airplanes and futuristic simulators all under one roof. This place is a playground for the curious and the young at heart, where history and innovation come together.

Looking to spoil yourself (as you should)? Book a night at the Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern. This hotel reopened recently after a jaw-dropping renovation. And what awaits you? Marble bathrooms, pillow menus and balconies that practically beg you to sip Champagne while pretending you're in a film. Their spa treatments are the kind of indulgence that makes your muscles write thank-you notes.

Ready to feast? Head over to Old Swiss House, where you can dive into dishes like crispy Wiener schnitzel carved tableside (yes, theatrics included). The decor leans heavily on nostalgia, in the best way. And the wine list? It leans hard into Swiss excellence.

Arth-Goldau

You’ll start noticing the forests leaning in and before you know it, you’re pulling into Arth-Goldau. This station is hugged by mountains and whispered about by hikers as “that one with the zoo.”

Arth-Goldau is the humble overachiever of the route, content to sit quietly between lakes Zug and Lauerz. It casually flexes its access to panoramic peaks and a wildlife park that’s half-safari, half-Disney woodland fantasy.

Speaking of which: Natur- und Tierpark Goldau is the thing to do here. It’s not just for kids with sticky fingers and wide eyes. Grown-ups get just as giddy feeding deer and spotting lynxes lurking like they’re late for a forest fashion shoot. The park is massive, forested and gorgeously landscaped.

But if the call of the mountaintop is stronger than your desire to hang with marmots, then Mount Rigi awaits. Known as the “Queen of the Mountains” (yes, there’s royalty in them hills), it’s accessible from Arth-Goldau via a charming cogwheel train.

And back in town, if you’re feeling peckish (and you should be, this is Switzerland), head over to Grune Gans, a snug little eatery where local ingredients shine and the dishes taste like someone's Swiss grandma is still stirring the pot in the back. Order the seasonal rösti or game meat if it’s on the menu and pair it with a glass of local wine because you’re on holiday, aren't you?

And before you hop on the station, just  a few minutes from the station, you’ll find Hotel Rigi Kaltbad. Think warm wood accents, crisp white duvets and windows that open up to postcard views of the Rossberg or surrounding lakes. Perhaps it would be better if you spent the night before hopping onto your next destination.

Rapperswil

As the train curves around Lake Zurich’s upper end, the town rises into view like a watercolor sketch come to life. You’ll see medieval walls, cobbled lanes and a castle perched dramatically on a hill like it's auditioning for Game of Thrones: Swiss Edition.

But Rapperswil doesn’t do drama. It does grace. It does charm. It does flowers, over 15,000 of them, to be specific. Which is why it’s lovingly called “The Town of Roses.” There’s even a Rose Garden just beside the Capuchin Monastery, where blooms line up neatly like they’ve just been told the Queen’s coming.

And if you need a splash of history, then head straight to Rapperswil Castle, looming above town since the 13th century and now home to the Polish Museum (yes, really). It’s a surprising tribute to Polish culture and history, curated with passion.

Now, for some luxury. For the traveler who prefers their lake views paired with spa robes and wine lists, Hotel Speer is your Rapperswil rendezvous. This boutique hotel offers modern rooms, a killer breakfast buffet and easy access to everything from the train station to the lakeside stroll.

And don’t leave without crossing the wooden footbridge to Hurden, a walkway that dates back to Roman times (with a few upgrades since).

Wattwil

Coming from Rapperswil, Wattwil feels like someone handed Switzerland a flannel shirt a wheel of cheese, and said, “Now go be effortlessly cozy.” Wattwil is the kind of place where wooden chalets outnumber taxis and cows get better views than most humans.

Strap on your most stylish hiking boots (or just pretend you hike—this is a safe space), and wander up to the Iburg Ruins. These are the skeletal remains of a 12th-century castle perched dramatically above the town. The vibes? Peak medieval Instagram.

Welcome to the unofficial land of Appenzeller cheese, that bold, funky, gloriously smelly treasure that could probably be bottled as perfume for proud Swiss cows. Pop into a local Chäslädeli (cheese shop) to try a few wedges. Many shops offer tastings and vacuum packs so you can bring the funk home.

And if you can’t get enough of that cheese and want to stay the night, head to B&B Hofgenuss. This isn’t your typical countryside stay—it’s a charming farm-based bed and breakfast offering a warm, authentic Swiss experience with locally sourced products and serene surroundings. Located about 7 km from Wattwil.

For something a little more refined, consider Hotel Kloster Fischingen, a beautifully restored monastery hotel offering understated luxury and peaceful surroundings steeped in history. Just 18 km from Wattwil, it combines modern amenities with a contemplative atmosphere—perfect for a restful escape.

Herisau

When the Voralpen Express pulls into Herisau, don’t expect a flashy entrance. This isn’t Vegas. It is the oldest town in the canton and the capital to boot.

If you’re wondering where Herisau hides its history, it doesn’t. It displays it proudly at the Museum Herisau, where 19th-century embroidery machines still clatter like they’ve got somewhere to be. The museum feels like a Swiss grandma’s attic: charming, layered and oddly full of world-class textiles. You’ll leave knowing more about lace than you ever planned to.

Step outside and head uphill (because everything in Switzerland is uphill) to the Evangelical Church of Herisau. This Gothic-meets-Baroque stunner has top-tier views with “Sound of Music” vibes but with less breaking into song and more contemplative silence.

And if you want to cozy up in this city, then head to Hotel Landhaus Säntis Herisau. This is the kind of place that makes you wonder if you're secretly royalty. It blends old-world coziness with modern flair. Picture rooms with warm woods, plush duvets and the sort of hospitality that’s been passed down through generations like fondue recipes. Plus, the restaurant downstairs doubles as your personal Swiss grandma.

St. Gallen

As the Voralpen Express rolls into St. Gallen, it’s waving the final flag. This is the grand finale of your scenic Swiss rail journey.

If St. Gallen were a novel, the Abbey of Saint Gall would be the majestic first chapter that hooks you in. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a baroque beauty with a library so old and stunning, you half expect Gandalf to pop out and say, “You shall not pass... without admiring these manuscripts!” The Abbey Library houses roughly 170,000 texts.

If you thought fabric was just something to cover your sofa, think again. The Textile Museum St. Gallen puts the city’s textile heritage front and center, showing off centuries of embroidery that made this town the world’s lace and needlework capital. Plus, it’s the perfect spot to brush up on your needlework trivia, so you can impress friends at your next cocktail party.

And if you want to experience magic in St. Gallen, then Restaurant Multertor is your delicious introduction. Chef Tobias Funke has this brilliant knack for turning familiar, homey flavors into dishes that whisper “gourmet” without yelling “pretentious.” Their famous fish fingers aren’t your childhood snack replayed. And the vibe? Just as inviting as the food.

After the Voralpen Express finally brings you to St. Gallen (and perhaps after you’ve checked out the spots we mentioned), it’s time to settle in somewhere that’s just as effortlessly cool as the city itself. Enter Einstein St. Gallen. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill hotel. It’s where modern design meets history as it is wrapped up in a beautifully restored building that feels like it’s got stories to tell. And rooms here are more than just a place to crash, they’re cozy retreats decked out with thoughtful touches that make you feel right at home.

Duration

The Voralpen Express is more of a brunch date with the Alps. Leisurely, scenic and perfectly timed to make you forget what “hurry” even means.

The full journey from Lucerne to St. Gallen takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes, which is just enough time to fall in love with Switzerland all over again. All without needing a charger. But don’t let the modest runtime fool you. This isn’t a two-hour commute, it’s a two-hour countryside catwalk. With views that serve harder than Tyra Banks in a wind tunnel, it glides past the kind of scenery that makes you want to rethink your entire city lifestyle. Rolling meadows, snug little villages and mountains that casually photobomb every window shot. It’s giving Sound of Music, but Swiss and with more cheese (literally).

Sure, you could spend those two hours watching a movie or doom-scrolling through your inbox. But why do that when you could be gliding through pre-Alpine paradise with cows for co-stars and villages that look like they were designed by fairytale architects on a sugar high?

So yes, it’s just over 120 minutes. But when the views are this dreamy, even your watch might lose interest.

Schedules and Tickets

The Voralpen Express may take its sweet time on the tracks, but when it comes to schedules, it’s Swiss through and through. Trains typically run every hour, all year-round, from Lucerne to St. Gallen, so no need to sprint in a panic like it’s the last train to Hogwarts. Just show up, breathe and board.

Now, let’s talk tickets. If you’re the proud holder of a Swiss Travel Pass or a GA travelcard, congratulations, you’re already in. No extra fees. No drama. Just flash that pass and find yourself a window seat (because trust us, you want the window seat). Otherwise, standard fares apply and can be booked online or at any station counter. The good news? This journey is champagne views on a sparkling water budget.

Seat reservations aren’t required unless you’re rolling deep with a group of 10 or more. Then you’ll need to book ahead, though no extra charge applies. For solo wanderers or couples looking to lock in a prime view, optional seat reservations are just CHF 5, which is basically the price of a cappuccino you won’t spill while riding this smooth rail.

First Class on the Voralpen Express

First Class on the Voralpen Express is where scenic train travel meets Swiss-level sophistication, without being fussy about it.

What’s the vibe? Think: wide, plush seats that feel more like boutique armchairs than standard train fare. With a 2+1 seating layout, you can actually enjoy a moment of peace without someone breathing down your neck or across your snack.

First Class comes with ample legroom so you can stretch out like the Alps themselves and there’s a noticeable hush, just enough quiet to hear your thoughts or your audiobook narrator. And oh, the scenery! With slightly fewer bodies in the car and larger windows, you’ll have front-row seats to all the drama: the glittering lakes, the postcard-perfect hills and the villages. 

No reservations required, no stuffy dress codes. Just you and your comfortable throne. Whether you're riding from Lucerne to St. Gallen or the other way around, this isn’t just train travel. So go ahead, ride First. You’ve earned it. Or at least you’ve convinced yourself you have, which in Switzerland, is more than good enough.

Begin your adventure with Revigorate.