The Best Scenic Train Trips in Switzerland
The 5 Best & Most Scenic Train Trips in Switzerland
When most people think of Switzerland, they think of cheese, clocks, and chocolates, which are considered to be the best in the world. There is another thing that Switzerland is famous for, and that is its public transportation system of highly efficient railroads that wend their way through stunning scenery in one of the world’s cleanest and safest nations. Train rides here make it easy and interesting to explore every nook and cranny without a car.
1) Glacier Express
Most visitors to Switzerland agree that the eight-hour Glacier Express is ranked among the most scenic train rides in the world. This ride showcases Switzerland’s dramatic landscape in all its glory. It connects Zermatt and St. Moritz and travels through stunning landscapes that offer unforgettable views of glaciers, snow-covered mountain peaks, terraced vineyards, rocky gorges, castles galore, and picturesque villages. Along the way, you will cross several iconic bridges as you choose items from the gourmet menu offered on board. The comfortable seats, large windows, and attentive staff make this ride a delight. Don’t take this train if you are in a hurry! It has the reputation of being slow as it makes its way through 91 tunnels and over 291 bridges! Especially scenic spots on this ride include the stretch of track to St. Moritz and from Visp to Zermatt on the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn.
2) Bernina Express
In just four hours, riders on the Bernina Express train that runs from Chur to Tirano will experience all of Switzerland’s varied scenery from snow-dusted mountain tops and alpine chalets to warm balmy views of Itay’s Mediterranean landscape with lots to see between. This legendary train ride is often hailed as one of the most scenic in the world. There are waterfalls and castles, fortresses, quaint alpine villages, pristine lakes, viaducts, and bucolic Italian towns. Along the way, you will go through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges and viaducts. Notable highlights of this ride include crossing the Landwasser Viaduct, seeing the icy blue waters of Lago Bianco, reaching the trip’s highest point at Ospizio Bernina at 2253 meters above sea level, and then curving down into the Poschiavo Valley where the snowy landscape is transformed into picture-perfect villages.
Another option is to take the two-and-a-half-hour Bernina Red Train connecting St. Moritz in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy. This route was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 and for good reason, the scenery is amazing.
History buffs who want to step into the world of the steam era should opt for a steam train ride through the Swiss canton of Graubünden. The steam train goes through picturesque Engadin, along the Rhine through the Surselva, and winds its way through the romantic Landwasser Valley. A perk is to take this journey in the 1st class Belle Epoque carriage.
3) GoldenPass - MOB (Montreux Oberland Bernois Railway)
The GoldenPass Line offers two types of train cars, one is called the Panoramic which has modern seating and big windows perfect for viewing and the other is the MOAB Belle Epoque Line which is composed of refurbished vintage Orient Express train cars dating to the 1930s. In addition, there is the recently launched super modern GoldenPass Express, which travels on two different rail lines and takes three hours and 15 minutes to make its way from Lake Geneva’s terraced vineyards to Interlaken’s glaciers. This train has heated seats, leg rests, and large seats that swivel 360 degrees in first class, and best of all, the chocolate comes free.
Basically, GoldenPass operates a scenic line between Lucerne and Montreux in three separate segments offering spectacular scenery.
In the Lucern area climb aboard the world’s steepest cogwheel railway that climbs up Mount Pilatus. After soaking in the spectacular views of the Central Swiss Alps, take a cableway down to the valley. In the Interlaken area, get off the GoldenPass in the village of Murren which lies at the base of Schilthorn, a mountain featured in the Bond film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, and take an aerial cableway to the summit of Piz Gloria. This is a magnificent 360° panorama of the world-renowned Alpine triumvirate of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountain ranges.
To experience Belle Epoque elegance, take the Golden Pass Classic Line from Zweisimmen to Montreux, to experience 1930s ambiance with all the luxury of modern comforts. Ride in beautifully refurbished vintage Orient Express train cars with plush blue seats, gleaming wood paneling, carpeted floors, gilded luggage racks, and fold-out tables. For the best views from Zweisimmen to Montreux, sit on the right side. There is no food service so you might want to bring your own snack for this two-plus hour ride.
Another option is the chocolate train, run by the GoldenPass Line from Montreux to Montbovan. This train ride includes a visit to a cheese factory in the beautiful village of Gruyère and a stop in Broc to the famous Cailler chocolate factory to see how chocolate is made.
4) Jungfrau Railway
The Swiss Alps are tricky to navigate, even today because of their geography. The Jungfrau Railway, just above Interlaken takes passengers on a breathtaking uphill two-hour ride to the highest train station in Europe at 11,332 feet above sea level. It connects two peaks of Switzerland, Jungfrau and Monch, and has earned the title of “The Top of Europe.” It has been taking passengers to the summit of the mountain since 1912, traveling through a rhapsody of Switzerland’s magical landscape.
A highlight of the trip is a five-minute stop at Eismeer Station, named for the bluish-colored ice that litters the landscape. For the best views, sit on the right side of the train and look for windows that open. Reaching the summit, there are three restaurants, shops, and the Ice Palace displaying a variety of ice sculptures. Outside, in addition to jaw-dropping views, there is an observation deck at the foot of the Sphinx Observatory and hiking trails on the plateau. This ride is a miracle of engineering because it opens up a world of ice, glaciers, and snow, that would normally be inaccessible to thousands of visitors a year.
5) Gotthard Panormana Express
This 5.5-hour train journey takes you through the storied landscape from Lucerne to Lugano. This ride takes passengers through the heart of the Swiss Alps to the magical Mediterranean landscape of Lugano. The Gotthard Tunnel completed in 1882 is a highlight of this journey as well as an engineering wonder. St. Gotthard Pass has been a crucial commercial route between Northern and Southern Europe since the Middle Ages. Today, the Tunnel is a major transport axis that connects many European countries together, and for this reason, has been dubbed the “King of the Mountain Passes.” In addition to the gorgeous scenery, another highlight of this ride is the loop tunnels that you will traverse in the Gotthard Tunnel. The interior of this train in first class is spacious with large panoramic windows; in second class the seats and windows are not as large but still offer exceptional views and comfort. There is even a photo coach on the train that allows you to open the windows to avoid the glare of glass and reflections. The train staff is attentive and will point out historical facts and anecdotes and answer any questions you may have.
All these train rides have one thing in common, the gorgeous alpine scenery of Switzerland. Depending on whether you want to take a slow train or an express train, a vintage train that harkens back to the 1930s, a train to the top of Europe, or a chocolate train, the unspoiled beauty of Switzerland’s landscape awaits.