TIMETABLE AND IDEAS FOR EXCURSIONS 14 December 2014 to 12 December 2015
JOURNEYS OF
discovery
2015
CLIMB ABOARD and enjoy The Voralpen-Express runs hourly between Lucerne and St.Gallen and is the most attractive way of travelling between central and eastern Switzerland. After a last look at Lake Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus, the Voralpen-Express speeds past the Mythen mountains and the glorious Rothenthurm moor plateau as it heads for Rapperswil. The distant views of the Lake Zurich basin are as magnificent as the castle. Travelling north and eastwards through the undulating Toggenburg countryside and over Switzerland's tallest (99 metre) railway viaduct, you reach the end of the line at St.Gallen with its Abbey Precincts, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
TICKETS /  TRAVELCARDS The Voralpen-Express accepts all valid Swiss and international tickets and travelcards. Contact your local station during opening hours for further information, or the 24-hour Rail Service line on tel. 0900 300 300 (CHF 1.19/min. from a Swiss landline).
REFRESHMENTS Snacks and beverages are available from the buffet car during the journey.
BICYCLES Up to three cycles can be carried in designated coaches identified with the cycle symbol.
Rothenthurm Moor Plateau
ROUTE MAP ST.GALLEN – LUCERNE Comfortable trains travel hourly between St.Gallen and Lucerne. The journey between the two towns takes two-and-a-quarter hours.
TIPS There's a wealth of opportunity all along the route for family outings, activities in the countryside, adventurous escapades and culture.
RA PP ER SW IL ÄF PF
R. a. T CH NA M SS EU T KÜ US R M SPO S IS AN SW F TR O
FI N KO
BE
SZ
BI RB
RU GG
TH RO
NT
Fronalpstock
Stanserhorn
M
ZE
Pilatus
UR
N
GO
GE
E
T H AU AR LD M RU
EG
RN
TH
M
CE
EN
LU Rigi
HE RI U
.G ST
SA
AL LE N
T AT W
Kronberg
Hoher Kasten
W IL
Säntis
CH ON NA RIK UZ ME H
SC
Churfirsten
INFORMATION Length of route 125 km Tallest bridge 99 m Longest tunnel 8603 m Lowest point alt. 408 m Highest point alt. 933 m Max. gradient 50 ‰
Lucerne – St.Gallen Sitter Viaduct Ricken Tunnel Schmerikon Biberegg Pfäffikon SZ – Biberbrugg and Arth-Goldau – Biberegg
CULTURE tips
ST.GALLEN TEXTILE MUSEUM www.textilmuseum.ch
Celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Michelle Obama wear garments made from fabrics manufactured in Eastern Switzerland, a region that boasts a long and honourable tradition of textile-making excellence. Erected in 1886, the Palazzo Rosso in the Old Town of St.Gallen houses the Textile Museum and Library. The museum puts on exhibitions illustrating the history of lacemaking, embroidery and weaving, as well as presentations of contemporary textile design and fabrics from today's industrial producers. Alight: St.Gallen
BENEDICTINE MONASTERY WITH THE BLACK MADONNA www.einsiedeln-tourismus.ch
People the world over have been making pilgrimages to Einsiedeln Abbey for more than a thousand years; the present Baroque edifice with its four inner courtyards was built in the 18th century. Previous to this, the hermitage, founded by the Benedictine monk Meinrad, had consisted of a collection of Romanesque and Gothic buildings. The Abbey Church contains the Chapel of Grace, fashioned from black marble beneath a vault adorned with frescoes. This is where visitors will find the world-famous Black Madonna from the 15th century. Alight: Biberbrugg – S-Bahn train to Einsiedeln
KKL Luzern
KKL LUZERN www.kkl-luzern.ch
Designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel, the KKL Luzern culture and convention centre is a unique institution in Switzerland combining sensational architecture, culture and gastronomy. Its 1840-seater concert hall is famous for its phenomenal acoustics. The Lucerne Hall, the auditorium in the convention centre and the Kunstmuseum Luzern art museum are also part of this architectural masterpiece. The town is justly proud of the views of the lake and the Old Town from its two roof terraces. Alight: Lucerne
St.Gallen Textile Museum Dream and realisation – Glarus prints (foreground) and embroidery Broderie Anglaise (tall display cabinet) Š Anna Tina Eberhard Fotografie
WALKING tips
RAIFFEISEN SKYWALK www.sattel-hochstuckli.ch
The 374 metre-long Raiffeisen Skywalk is Europe's longest suspension bridge for pedestrians. Located in the Sattel-Hockstuckli area, it links the Mostelberg with the Mäderenwald forest and spans the wild and romantic Lauitobel valley at a height of up to 58 metres. The bridge may be used in both summer and winter and is open during the operating hours of the Sattel-Hochstuckli cableway. The walkway is between 90 and 180 cm wide, so guests in wheelchairs and families with strollers can also enjoy this attraction. Alight: Rothenthurm – S-Bahn train to Sattel-Aegeri Alight: Biberbrugg – S-Bahn train to Sattel-Aegeri
View towards the Toggenburg
TOGGENBURG THUR TRAIL www.toggenburg.org
There is much to discover by way of scenery and villages on a walking tour of the verdant valley of the Thur, as the Toggenburg is often called. The entire trail, some 60 km in length, stretches between Wildhaus and Wil: it can be walked in stages. The area is dotted with welcoming guest houses and restaurants, so take your time! Alight: Wattwil – S-Bahn train to Nesslau-Neu St.Johann – PostBus towards Wildhaus
APPENZELL ALPINE TRAIL www.appenzellerland.ch
The Appenzell Alpine Trail is widely regarded as one of Switzerland's most scenic walking routes. Not for nothing has the trail from the Kronberg to Schwägalp been ranked amongst the country's top twelve walking routes. Take time to discover the Appenzell Region in all its facets. This particular circular tour leads from Urnäsch, the centre of Appenzell traditions, to the foot of the Säntis with its imposing views of the peak. Something to bear in mind: the walk incorporates around 700 metres' difference in altitude. Alight: Herisau – S-Bahn train to Urnäsch
Sitter Viaduct with Lake G端bsen in the background
FAMILY
tips
GLASS LABYRINTH www.glasi.ch
What an experience! Listen to the specially composed sounds and enjoy the light show. It's similar to, yet quite unlike, a mirror maze: finding the way out is not easy. Just make sure you don't bump into anything! Alight: Lucerne – S-Bahn train to Hergiswil
Kick scootering on the Kerenzerberg
KICK SCOOTERING ON THE KERENZERBERG www.kerenzerbergbahn.ch
The chair lift whisks you from Filzbach up to the Habergschwänd alp. Start by taking in the incredible views of Lake Walen and the surrounding mountains. The scooter trail is asphalted and over seven kilometres in length. It ends at the lower terminus of the chair lift, which is where the scooters can be returned. Great fun for all ages! Alight: Uznach – S-Bahn train to Mühlehorn – bus to Filzbach
LAMA TREKKING
www.maerchenhotel.ch/lama
A sign warning of lamas crossing is a clue as to what is to come. During the summer months in fine weather the Hotel Bellevue in Braunwald organises lama and alpaca treks on Thursdays; setting off time: 2 pm. Children are allowed to lead their own animal, and the events are open to non-guests. A lama walk also takes place on Sundays. Alight: Uznach or Pfäffikon SZ – S-Bahn train to Linthal – Braunwald Railway
ADVENTURE tips
RIGI ROPE PARK www.seilpark-rigi.ch
Overlooking Lake Lucerne, the Rigi Rope Park lies in glorious countryside at the foot of Mt. Rigi. The rope trail is around four kilometres in length and is divided up into seven parcours of varying difficulty. The new Viper route features a 25 metre-high climbing snake – a real challenge, even for experienced rope park devotees! Alight: Küssnacht am Rigi
FLYING FOX HOCH-YBRIG www.hoch-ybrig.ch
As you career down the breathtaking ride at a speed that can reach 120 km/h, try to remember to take in the spectacular view! This, the world's longest zip line, is 2.3 km in length and offers, apart from a real adrenalin kick, amazing views of the mountains. On a clear day, you can even see as far as the Black Forest. The high-speed ride on the Flying Fox lasts around two minutes and ends gently as you approach the lower terminus. Alight: Biberbrugg – S-Bahn train to Einsiedeln – bus to Hoch-Ybrig lower terminus
FOXTRAIL www.foxtrail.ch
Sightseeing is so yesterday – now it’s all about hunting! Cracking codes, solving puzzles, following tracks. The fox leads you across land and through water, crossing and recrossing his territory. It’s the most entertaining way to discover the best parts of towns such as St.Gallen or Lucerne. Decoding messages, interpreting clues, revealing secrets. It takes ingenuity and all your senses to keep to the trail. Thousands have hunted the fox, but no one has caught it – yet. Alight: St.Gallen or Lucerne
Flying Fox Hoch-Ybrig
The Great Swiss Express Adventure
From the Voralpen-Express to the Bernina Express
4-DAY ROUND TRIP incl. upgrade to 1st class in the Voralpen-Express from CHF 658.–
Zürich
Lucerne
St. Gallen
Rapperswil Chur
St.Moritz Tirano
Bellinzona Lugano
PRICES April – October 2015 DR CHF 658.– 3-star hotel 1) CHF 799.– 4-star hotel 2) 1) 2)
SR CHF 733.– CHF 905.–
Example: Lucerne Hotel Des Alpes, Lugano Hotel Delfino, St. Moritz Hotel Hauser Example: Lucerne Hotel Cascada, Lugano Dante Center, St. Moritz Hotel Steffani
With Half-Fare Supplements/ Travelcard reductions Travel in:
Without Half-Fare Travelcard
With GA Travelcard 2nd cl.
Children up to 16 with a Junior Card
With GA Travelcard 1st cl.
1st cl.
2nd cl.
1st cl.
2nd cl.
1st cl.
2nd cl.
1st cl.
1st cl.
2nd cl.
102.–
210.–
414.–
-210.–
-108.–
-210.–
-210.–
-210.–
-210.–
1 April to 26 October 2015 Contact the Südostbahn reservations desk for details (071 353 36 30) or visit www.voralpen-express.ch
The Great Swiss Bridge Adventure
St.Gallen Lucerne Ascona Montreux
4-DAY ROUND TRIP incl. upgrade to 1st class in the Voralpen-Express from CHF 515.–
St. Gallen Rapperswil
Lucerne
Montreux Locarno Domodossola
PRICES April 2015
DR
3-star hotel 1)
CHF 515.– CHF 650.–
SR
3-star hotel 1)
CHF 595.– CHF 720.–
4-star hotel 2)
CHF 635.– CHF 800.–
4-star hotel 2)
CHF 700.– CHF 900.–
May – October 2015 DR
SR
1)
Lucerne: Hotel Ambassador or equivalent Locarno/Ascona: Hotel Garni du Lac (Locarno) and Albergo-Caffè Carcani (Ascona) or equivalent, Montreux: Hôtel & Spa Bristol or equivalent 2) Lucerne: Cascada Swiss Quality Hotel or equivalent, Locarno/Ascona: Ramada Hotel Arcadia (Locarno) and Parkhotel Delta (Ascona) or equivalent, Montreux: Best Western Eurotel Riviera or equivalent
Supplements/ reductions Travel in:
With HalfWithout Fare Travel- Half-Fare card Travelcard
With GA Travelcard 2nd cl.
With GA Travelcard 1st cl.
1st cl.
2nd cl.
1st cl.
2nd cl.
1st cl.
2nd cl.
1st cl.
79.–
157.–
315.–
-139.–
-79.–
-169.–
-169.–
1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016, prices November 2015 to March 2016 on request Contact the Südostbahn reservations desk for details (071 353 36 30) or visit www.voralpen-express.ch
9:21
9:28
9:48
10:00
8:21
8:28
8:48
9:00
Biberbrugg
Arth-Goldau
Küssnacht a. R.
10:07
10:12
10:20
9:07
9:12
9:20
Meggen Zentrum
Swiss Museum of Transport
Lucerne
Pfäffikon SZ
Rapperswil
Rothenthurm
6:57
8:45
8:49
8:59
7:45
7:49
6:45
6:49
Uznach
Schmerikon
8:33
9:05
7:33
6:33
Wattwil
8:13
8:05
7:59
7:13
6:13
8:05
7:05
6:05
Herisau
11:20
11:12
11:07
11:00
10:48
10:28
10:21
10:05
9:59
9:49
9:45
9:33
9:13
9:05
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11:48
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10:49
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21:07
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20:48
20:28
20:21
20:05
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19:49
19:45
19:33
19:13
19:05
VAE 2562 VAE 2564 VAE 2566 VAE 2568 VAE 2570 VAE 2572 VAE 2574 VAE 2576 VAE 2578 VAE 2580 VAE 2582 VAE 2584 VAE 2586 VAE 2588
St.Gallen
DEPARTURE
DEPARTURES ST.GALLEN – LUCERNE 14.12.14 – 12.12.15
TIMETABLE
8:49
7:49
Swiss Museum of Transport
Meggen Zentrum
7:28
7:47
7:55
6:28
6:47
6:55
Wattwil
Herisau
St.Gallen
7:11
7:16
6:11
6:16
Schmerikon
Uznach
8:11
8:55
8:47
8:28
8:16
9:11
9:55
9:47
9:28
9:16
10:55
10:47
10:28
10:16
10:11
10:03
9:54
9:03
8:54
7:03
6:03
Pfäffikon SZ
Rapperswil
9:28
9:37
8:28
8:37
Rothenthurm
Biberbrugg
8:58
9:14
7:58
8:14
Küssnacht a. R.
Arth-Goldau
8:03
8:40
8:46
7:40
7:46
Lucerne
11:55
11:47
11:28
11:16
11:11
11:03
10:54
10:37
10:28
10:14
9:58
9:49
9:46
9:40
12:55
12:47
12:28
12:16
12:11
12:03
11:54
11:37
11:28
11:14
10:58
10:49
10:46
10:40
13:55
13:47
13:28
13:16
13:11
13:03
12:54
12:37
12:28
12:14
11:58
11:49
11:46
11:40
14:55
14:47
14:28
14:16
14:11
14:03
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13:37
13:28
13:14
12:58
12:49
12:46
12:40
15:55
15:47
15:28
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15:03
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14:37
14:28
14:14
13:58
13:49
13:46
13:40
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16:47
16:28
16:16
16:11
16:03
15:54
15:37
15:28
15:14
14:58
14:49
14:46
14:40
17:55
17:47
17:28
17:16
17:11
17:03
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16:37
16:28
16:14
15:58
15:49
15:46
15:40
18:55
18:47
18:28
18:16
18:11
18:03
17:54
17:37
17:28
17:14
16:58
16:49
16:46
16:40
19:55
19:47
19:28
19:16
19:11
19:03
18:54
18:37
18:28
18:14
17:58
17:49
17:46
17:40
20:55
20:47
20:28
20:16
20:11
20:03
19:54
19:37
19:28
19:14
18:58
18:49
18:46
18:40
21:55
21:47
21:28
21:16
21:11
21:03
20:54
20:37
20:28
20:14
19:58
19:49
19:46
19:40
VAE 2561 VAE 2563 VAE 2565 VAE 2567 VAE 2569 VAE 2571 VAE 2573 VAE 2575 VAE 2577 VAE 2579 VAE 2581 VAE 2583 VAE 2585 VAE 2587 VAE 2589 VAE 2591
DEPARTURES LUCERNE – ST.GALLEN 14.12.14 – 12.12.15
DEPARTURE
www.voralpen-express.ch