Through the Swiss countryside with Südostbahn on the Voralpen Express

This week it is the turn of the Südostbahn and their Voralpen Express. Their beautiful Stadler FLIRT trains run between St Gallen and Luzern through the lower slopes of the Alps, or the Pre-Alps (hence Voralpen). The weather wasn't great, but even so, this journey has a very worthy story to tell as the train goes up and down the hills (and through them) showing the wonderful rolling Swiss countryside. Expect hills, views, tunnels, viaducts, lakes and probably the nicest regional train anywhere.
Departure: St Gallen, Switzerland
Destination: Luzern, Switzerland
Distance: 125 km / 78 miles
Duration: 2 hrs 16 mins
Average speed: 55 km/h 34 mph
Example cost: Adult single
1st Class: €63 / £54
2nd Class: €35 / £30
Date of Travel: March 2024
Operator: Südostbahn (SOB)
Motive power: RABe 526 Traverso FLIRT EMU
Manufacturer: Stadler
Entered service: 2019
Thank you to everyone that supports the channel by subscribing, liking, commenting or just watching these videos. I really appreciate it!

[@felixtheswiss]

The STOP button is for stations that have a on demand service. Itd that the engineer knows that somebody wants to alight.

[@jochemjonker3362]

When you want to catch such a Regional Express train,it works the same,you demand,that the train will stop at your station.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, that's what we suspected! Thanks for replying and thanks for watching 👍

[@garrytuohy9267]

What a fab 1st Class product.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes it was lovely. Thanks for watching 👍

[@SOBchsuedostbahn]

Thank you for your journey on the Voralpen-Express. We are delighted that you enjoyed the journey!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I did. The way you present your Stadler flirts is the best i have ever seen. Looking forward to future journeys 👍

[@Timstravels01]

That copper livery looks great. 1st class looked beautiful even with that dodgy looking character sat in there. Shame about the weather but it was beautiful nonetheless.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, such a beautiful version of the Stadler flirt both inside and out. I suppose one of the drawbacks with public transport is that you never know who might be on the train with you... Thanks for watching another 👍

[@Fan652w]

Re the Appenzellerbahnen I can strongly recommend their two main routes. The Gossau-Herisau-Appenzell-Wasseraun line is a conventional narrow gauge line, generally every 30 minutes. At Gossau it connects with the Zurch-St Gallen Inter-Cities. The Appenzell-St Gallen-Trogen lne is a tram-train, again every 30 minutes. We glimpsed one of these vehicles both in this and in your previous video. Both Interrail and the Swiss Travel Pass give free travel on the Apenzellerbahnen.

[@martinweisskopf8249]

However: the most spectacular line of the Appenzeller Railway network is the one from Gais (between St. Gallen and Appenzell) down to Altstätten in the Rhine Valley

[@Fan652w]

@@martinweisskopf8249 I am inclined to agree. And this line (unlike the two I mention) is partially rack-and-pinion.

[@jeremytaylor8284]

I agree with all these comments - definitely explore all the lines in and around Appenzell. The town of Appenzell itself makes a great base and is itself one of the most delightful place to explore. I also recommend the Appenzeller cheese - hard to find outside Switzerland; quite delicious.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Roger. I shall add it to the ever expanding list. I can well see how you keep going back again and again!

[@davidcorbett62]

If there is one country every train nut should visit it’s Switzerland! Reliablity is a watch word. No pun intended but clean regular cheap trips on trains puts Britain to shame. Actually it’s not really the railway companies, Yes they are far far inferior but it’s politicians who have totally ruined what was a great service.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Railways, I agree, reflect the politics of the time and place. Of course, the politics often reflect public views. So we must all do what we can to ensure politicians understand that we would like an effective and modern railway. Thanks so much for watching 👍

[@andrewlong6438]

Don’t forget politicians only get into power because they are elected and some of the voters do not appreciate the implications of what they are voting for or prefer tax cuts above all else. I think European railways in general are cheaper than the UK but privatisation is showing its hand in many countries.

[@Eurobazz]

By train nut do you mean ferroequinologist?

[@rob45gt]

The Rigi bahn is actually a normal gauge line, but with rack. Definately recommend to to the Rigi but on both slopes. Enjoy Switzerland

[@Fan652w]

As a regular visitor to Switzerland I strongly agree with your recommendation. However Johnny is travelling on an Interrail, which will give him only a 50% discount. I get free travel on the Rigi Bahnen with my Swiss Travel Pass. The STP is 'Ein General Abonnnement fur Turiste'.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes. Maybe next time... Thanks for watching 👍

[@christinehodge3608]

Luzern is alovely place ,used to go there with my late husband quite a few times, clean country , food so good,

[@Fan652w]

I strongly agree with you regarding Luzern. On my very first visit to continental Europe in 1971, I stayed in Luzern. Ever since then I have been 'hooked' on beautiful Switzerland. The Swiss Travel Pass, introduced in 1972, has helped me to feed on my addiction!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes Mark and I enjoyed Luzern too. Thanks for watching 👍

[@domin727]

The knots and crosses in St. Gallen are actually the station clock😁

[@Fan652w]

Thank you. I will bare this in mind when I visit St Gallen to use my Swiss Travel Pass on the British-built double-deck buses!

[@genoobtlp4424]

@@Fan652wbinary clock to see how late you’re trying to get the rearmost door of the three door enviro 500s… approved

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Really? I will look back and see how it works. Thanks for that and thanks for watching 👍

[@genoobtlp4424]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels it’s a binary clock, lowest row counting seconds, middle one minutes, top one hours. x, xo, xx, xoo, xox, xxo, xxx, … someone got funny ideas when planning the rebuild of the underpass

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@genoobtlp4424 thanks for that. Being someone who has worked in IT most of my life, I should have noticed that. Although, in my defence, I probably would have if they used 0s and 1s and not Os and Xs!

[@trailwayt9H337]

Video was very Beautiful. I can't make this good one good one video ❤️

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you. And thanks for watching 👍

[@Fan652w]

The two lines up the Rigi, that from Arth-Goldau and that from Vitznau, are standard gauge. There is free travel on both these lines for Swiss Travel Pass Holders. A round trip I have done several times using my first class Swiss Travel Pass is Luzern-Vitznau-Rigi Kuim-Arth-Goldau-Luzern. The Luzern-Vitznau leg is of course a ship!

[@johncrwarner]

I was just about to explain that We took the Rigibahn by doing exactly that trip though we were staying in Brienz so had travelled from Brienz to Luzern first and back to our base in the evening.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks both of you. That sounds like a great day out... (adds it to "the list") 👍

[@johncrwarner]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels Your Swiss list might get long very quickly LOL

[@enricomonti156]

SOB has a great variety of services. I saw some of these very same trains also on the Aare Linth from Bern to Zürich ad on the IR Treno Gottardo servicew from Zürich and Basel to Locarno. My last Swiss train ride was a Giruno on a EuroCity from Zürich to Bologna in 2023 and although it was a 6 hours journey due to a delay by the Swiss and Italian customs it was a very comfy and scenic ride. However, I would recommend you travel by train between Zürich and Sargans and seat on the left hand side of the train as the scenery along Walensee is the most spectacular I've seen in Switzerland

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks for that information. I will make a note and add it to my extending list! And thanks of course for watching too 👍

[@Diana-andre2018]

Great review again, lovely scenery, despite the weather, and I had to smile at Mark’s “cameo” moment😅😂😊

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks for coming along 👍

[@4616nva]

I think the noughts and crosses are a representation of time.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I really must look again at my video or check on the Internet to see how this works! Thanks for the information and thanks for watching 👍

[@MrJimheeren]

I find it impressive how the Swiss manage to make a fairly basic EMU luxurious.here in the Netherlands we use the Flirts for short stopping services. With quite uncomfortable seats but this one looks amazing

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes. It makes a big difference how you dress the interior for sure. Thanks for watching 👍

[@cd82156]

Yes do Appenzelll beautiful ride, take cable car to Wildschonau restaurant.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Ah, note that sounds like a destination, a restaurant at the end of a cable car! Thanks for the ideas and thanks too for watching 👍

[@aoilpe]

I recommend the “Rigi-Tour” ; Luzern-Viznau by Ship , train Viznau - Rigi-Kulm - Arth-Goldau - Luzern And the Metro M2 in Lausanne with the potential to scare you !

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Great! Thanks for that. I shall add it to my list 😃 Thanks too for watching 👍

[@Voyagerch75]

Don't ask whether you should do a train ride or not. Just do it! 😀

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I shall. 👍

[@baumgrt]

0:32 the noughts and crosses are actually a clock in binary format. The rows represent hours, minutes and seconds from top to bottom. The columns, from right to left, represent 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 (similar to how in the decimal system, we have positions for 1, 10, 100, 1000 etc.). When the symbols are glowing, it means the corresponding position has the value 1, when off, it’s a 0. When this segment was filmed, it was around 9:50:53 (at the exact time I looked at the clock)

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Well yes, being in IT for years I certainly know about binary, but I still prefer my clocks to be round 😄 However, it sure is a talking point as it intrigued me on the day. Thanks for watching 👍

[@DJTrainBrain]

8:53 I immediately thought of the possible pun, and there you go, you actually made it. Well done, sir! 😄

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Couldn't resist it... 😃 Thanks for watching. More puns to come in the future for sure 👍

[@sandiandgregh]

Beautiful even in the rain.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks! And yes, it was indeed 👍

[@PeteG143]

Another reason to look forward to Friday. Thank you for another adventure.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks. You are very welcome. Thank you for watching 👍

[@Eurobazz]

I agree with you Johnny. The livery is fantastic as is the design and interior of first class.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes i love it. It would be great to have one like that on the line between Waterloo and Exeter. Thanks for watching 👍

[@vidkopf10]

What a great trip! I’m thoroughly enjoying this one!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks that's lovely of you to say. And thanks for watching too 👍

[@WINGSANDRAILS]

A beautiful train and ride!! Definitiv put it on my own list! Thanks for the review

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

You are very welcome. Hopefully you will see it on a sunny day! Thanks for watching another 👍

[@Sim0nTrains]

Those trains really do look nice and so does the scenery, great video

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes it is a lovely run on a really nice train for sure. Thanks for watching another Simon 👍

[@paulgibsonphotography]

Great Video Johnny

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Paul 👍

[@melvynbuckton6881]

You could do several appenzell routes in a day as only short so several videos . Loads of street and roadside running and beautiful hill scenery.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks! "On the list"

[@melvynbuckton6881]

If you are not already a member , you could probably get some good tips about swiss railways and good video routes from the swiss railway society

[@melvynbuckton6881]

This society is uk based search for their website

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@melvynbuckton6881 good tip. I am tempted to join!

[@peterdnreynolds777]

Brilliant video and beautiful scenery even though the weather was not that great. Hope all is well and hope you have a great weekend, take care

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Peter. It was a great run regardless of the weather. All good here in Devon, best wishes to you too 👍

[@dooley-ch]

Great video. This is one of my favourite day trips - to be done at least once a month in the summer! Too bad about the weather....

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, I loved it and would happily repeat it many times too! Thanks for watching 👍

[@ampersand.]

You`d think that with the noughts and crosses clock being so baffling, they`d at least put some hands on the more conventional one inside... A great report thanks and we reckon all that rain helps to keep Switzerland looking so clean :)

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha so true. Except i wonder if they hate the idea of incorrect time, so if that old clock could not be synchronised with all the others then it had to lose its arms! Thanks for watching, as always 👍

[@Fan652w]

In terms of the filming and your commentary, this is an excellent video. Pity about the weather! I agree that the Traverso trains are excellent. The Voralpen Express is a very pleasant journey, which deserves to be better known. (Note that at 1m 15s the departure screen was another example of the Taktfahrplan in all its glory!)

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes. I really wanted to ride both the trains and the route on this trip. It was indeed a shame about the weather, but you can't score a hit with it every day you travel! Thanks for watching another and for the kind words 👍

[@berberbro]

The STOP button will probably only cause a stop at a request stop.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes that's what we thought too. Thanks for watching 👍

[@Vanmanyo]

Was wearing my Mondaine watch with pride watching this! Great video as always Johnny. Those trains are giving me huge similarities to a certain class ploughing their trade in Anglia.... Flirts are very good trains and I love the level boarding they bring! These units do look better than the GA ones though - seem much more comfortable!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes they are definitely the nicest flirts i have ever been on for sure! ... jealous of your watch 😉

[@Vanmanyo]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels I do like the Flirts it must be said! I think over here they are pretty good for Anglia and TFW! Haha yes I have a little bit of Switzerland on my hand 😆

[@berberbro]

I was in doubt whether to do the Voraplen Express or the Golden Pass (Belle Epoque) route next weekend. Ideally I wanted to to them both, but time does not allow me to do this in a relaxed fashion. Eventually chose the Golden Pass, but thanks for this Johnny, now it feels like I've done the VAE too!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

You are very welcome. We had the same problem of "so many routes, so little time" too. Pleased i can be of service! Thanks for watching 👍

[@horsehollerer]

Brilliant. Lovely run and incredible stylings on that EMU (inside and out)! I'm just back from my own trip, so I'm playing catchup on the 'Tubes ... I almost went to Luzern instead of Zermatt so looking forward to yours and Mark's vids. Part of me wishes SBB didn't do such a damn good job of justifying their high prices lol, but they really are classy and punctual as hell. Cheers!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Pleased you had a great time too. In the end with Switzerland you will come away knowing that you missed a lot more than you actually saw... but that's just the way it is. Hopefully I will return myself and get to travel to Zermatt.

[@horsehollerer]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels So true. Thank you, I will also be back!

[@Kiemenbeisser]

Made this route back few years ago with the older train generation without leveled boarding 😅

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Good to see level boarding. Thanks for watching 👍

[@bradbel]

Hey, if your area is in a bad drought, just call Johnny Travels! 😉

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Seems to be the case... ⛈️ Some sunny trips in Switzerland to come... but I'm just back from some trips in the north of England and i got very wet again...

[@rachelehrenberg9231]

1. The noughts and crosses is a clock. One that most of us "locals" consider an eyesore and waste of tax resources. 2. If there is a next time my suggestion is to take the bus from St. Gallen to Herisau then the Appenzellerbahn to...Appenzell. Then take the Appenzellerbahn back to St. Gallen.

[@Fan652w]

As I visitor to St Gallen on an almost annual basis, I was appalled when I saw the naughts and crosses clock. I strongly agree with your second suggestion, including taking the bus to Herisau. But remember that Johnny is travelling on an Interrail (which is rail only). I always use a Swiss Travel Pass which is 'Ein General Abonnnement fur Turiste'.

[@rachelehrenberg9231]

@@Fan652w I understand the rail thing...but the bus is cheap and provides a ground level view of our city.

[@Fan652w]

@@rachelehrenberg9231 By confining himself to rail Johnny is depriving himself of a lot of highly scenic journeys, especially those on mountain or rural roads, and those on lakes! Around your home area there are no boats but there are lots of attractive bus routes, some of them (eg Engleburg SG-St Gallen City-Heiden) using British built double decks!

[@rachelehrenberg9231]

@@Fan652w Lake Constance (Bodensee) is nearby and offers very scenic boat rides. My office until I retired was just on the shore of the lake.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks for the ideas. This was my first ever trip to Switzerland, though hopefully not the last. I took in what i could within my own limits of both time and money. Thanks for the ideas of things to do when i return. And thanks too for watching 👍

[@WBTravels]

You should take a ride on the lessaune metro system! It's really really cool, it's also the smallest city in the world to have a metro (not counting surface in Austria and the wtf is this thing Haifa carmilet) it's fully automated, it's also incredible steep!

[@Fan652w]

I agree that the Lausanne metro line M2 is wonderful. Unlike the lines in Serfaus and Haifa the Lausanne line is a proper HEAVY metro, using technology similar to Paris metro line 14. But one word of warning, Interrail is not valid on the Lausanne metro. By contrast the wonderful Swiss Travel Pass which i use whenever I visit Switzerland is valid. Llike the Abonnement Generale, the STP is valid on all Swiss local public transport..

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks! I'll add that to the ever lengthening list! Best wishes to you and thanks for watching 👍

[@kevinellis8869]

Shame about the weather, good to see the team working (even though he tried to hide!)

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha yes. He was there! Despite the weather, i heartily recommend the route. Thanks for watching 👍

[@cms9902]

I am told Trainpal are similar to Trainline, but offer split ticketing.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes they do. Although Trainline, and many other apps offer slot ticketing too Thanks for watching 👍

[@MHTrains]

That’s like a 755 the front is exactly the same design

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes. They are all Stadler FLIRTs. The interior of these is a bit nicer though! Thanks for watching 👍

[@nashorn9745]

The verry loud damper isn't really any use by how much the train is shaking when going at high speeds. But the SOB 526 is the best Flirt in Switzerland, some of the other ones like the SBB 523 are really bad. SOB uses the same seats as the SBB IC Flirt's first-class seats in second class on their Local Flirt's. I really hope we get better trains in the future from Alstom, Siemens or even CRRC and end the use of what is a commuter train on Intercity lines.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I'm pleased to hear your view. Being from the UK, you would not be surprised to hear that i liked nearly all the trains i ride in Switzerland. But i can well understand how locally you see the good and the bad. Thanks for watching and leaving your opinions here 👍

[@aoilpe]

STADLER are the best you can have…

[@trainsme7919]

Class 755?

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Very similar as they are both Stadler flirts Thanks for watching 👍

[@Zurich_for_Beginners]

Biberbrugg is more like a bridge made by a beaver.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Phonetically maybe so! Thanks for watching 👍