Thoussuethoill31
What you were told regarding ‘Valais’ probably referred to the quite scenic ascending section between Brig and Goppenstein (= beginning of the old Lötschberg tunnel). But that is maybe only 2% of the entire Valais, Zermatt also being part of it… 😉
As you obviously seem to prefer scenic routes, you might prefer the Brünig route between Spiez and Lucerne instead of the (faster, but less scenic) detour via Bern.
By default, the timetables are always suggesting the fastest connections, sames as your in-car GPS navigation. In order to force slower (possibly scenic) routes, the ‘Via’ field between ‘To’ and ‘From’ needs to be used, which, if using the sbb.ch web interface in a browser, has to be activated first under ‘Settings’.
In your case you’d need to enter the following subsequent ‘Via’ fields between Zermatt and Lucerne:
- Brig (if omitting Brig, you might get routed on a postal bus shortcut between Visp and Ausserberg)
- Kandersteg
- Meiringen or Bern (whichever suits you better)
Then get the single ticket for the entire journey, which you can save if logged in.
Should some ‘Saver’ ticket be altenatively offered for the entire trip, note that those can not be refunded in case of a change of plans, as opposed to the regular point-to-point tickets.
Avoid the PE (Glacier Express) between Zermatt and Brig, as you’d need an overpriced mandatory seat reservation in that one.