Top 6 Scenic Scenic Rail Journeys to See Switzerland in a Different Way

A rail journey along one of the unique panoramic routes will be a jewel of a trip to Switzerland at any time of the year. Choose the right one suitable for you by time and place of departure and arrival and you will get the opportunity to get to know the country from a completely new perspective.

Glacier Express

The scenic Glacier Express is just what you need if you set up for vacations in Zermatt and have a free day to see fantastic alpine landscapes, which you cannot reach either on foot or by car. The Glacier Express is the best way to enjoy hundreds of bridges and impressive viaducts over unclimbable picturesque gorges passing through the tunnels, leaving the darkness for breathtaking views out of the huge car windows and the glaring snow-covered Alps. Don’t forget your sunglasses! Enjoy untouched age-old mountain forests as well as peaceful alpine meadows and valleys of Switzerland. Over 7 hours of continuous delight and the feeling that what is happening is just impossible!

The train makes several convenient stops in those cities and settlements, from where it will be easy to go back by an ordinary scheduled train or change the route of the day. You may estimate your time, build plans that are suitable for you, and buy a ticket only for a part of the train’s journey. For example, you can travel just a couple of hours on the Glacier Express and find yourself in Brig, where you can relax the rest of the day in one of the largest outdoor thermal centers, Brig Baths. Or, closer to lunch, leave the train in the small village of Andermatt, located on the slope of the legendary St. Gotthard Pass, where you can see the notorious Devil’s Bridge, next to which the famous battle of Suvorov’s troops took place.

If you still decide to spend the whole day on the Glacier Express, be ready to arrive at St. Moritz at about 18:00, from where it is possible to return to Zermatt the same day only by scheduled trains with transfers. It will take you 6-7 hours. Another option is to come back the next day by the Glacier Express making the same way in the opposite direction. By the way, the return route (from St. Moritz) is quite convenient for those who are based in Klosters and are ready to find themselves in Zermatt in the evening after a day full of emotions.

You can have a tasty lunch right on the train. Just order a lunch (for an extra fee) when booking a ticket and the waiters will serve hot dishes on your table.

If you are going to see Switzerland from the windows of this scenic train, have in mind that this route is one of the most popular among tourists. So, you’d better book a ticket for any part of the Glacier Express route in advance.

Golden Pass

If you are staying in Verbier, the Golden Pass is the most comfortable scenic train to see more of Swiss beauties. Unlike the Glacier Express which departs only once a day, this train is on the route almost every two hours providing you with a wonderful opportunity to drop out at the stations, explore the surroundings, and later continue the journey in exactly the same car with panoramic windows. You just have to get to Montreux, the starting point of the route, and enjoy the unforgettable views of the historic center of Switzerland for 5 hours, if you are going to travel the entire route from the beginning to the end.

You will see how neat rows of vineyards on the slopes, Lake Geneva photo-opportunity and cozy villages on its coast are gradually replaced by traditional single-standing hill houses. The train slows down when passing by them, so the travelers will have the chance to capture the beautiful pastoral landscapes.

Most likely, the first place where you would be tempted to get out and have a walk will be the medieval town of Thun near the similarly-named lake. Thun is surrounded by Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger, which are rather high by Swiss standards and create a charming panorama around the town. The main sight of the town is the castle sitting on a rock ledge. You will see all that from the windows of the Golden Pass slowly passing by.

The next stop will be literally the tourist capital of the Bernese Highlands, Interlaken. This is a year-round starting point from where you can climb Jungfrau or Schilthorn, see the Lauterbrunnen valley or Grindelwald. Another option is to continue your acquaintance with Switzerland from the Golden Pass windows. Then keep your way to Lucerne, one of the most beautiful Swiss cities, making your way through the high mountains, approaching the waterfalls, or hovering on the bridges over the rapid rivers. This is the destination point of the Golden Pass. What to do next? Stay in Lucerne and wander around its historic center? To sight-see the city on a boat tour? Spend a little more than half an hour to reach Zurich? Or return to Montreux to have time to go down to the Chillon Castle and to fix the emotions of this day in memory walking along the luxurious embankment? Up to you!

Booking tickets for the Golden Pass is desirable but not required since it has many trips throughout the day, which allows you to make spontaneous decisions regarding this route. Moreover, excellent transport interchanges in all train stops will allow you to get to the necessary place in Switzerland without any problems.

Swiss Chocolate Train

Probably, it would be more correct to call it Cheese&Chocolate Train. It is not as popular as other routes but definitely worth attention of those for whom the routes with a starting point in Montreux are most suitable. You can choose either a train with modern panoramic cars or with vintage well-preserved ones. Passing by the slopes with vineyards, the Chocolate Train takes a short way towards the tiny medieval Gruyère. You will be treated to coffee and fresh pastries and will watch a film about Swiss chocolate on the way. A short walking tour of the town to the castle, the guide’s stories revealing the mysteries of the production of this famous Swiss cheese and a visit to the cheese factory itself is just what you need to stretch your legs and sharpen the receptors before tasting chocolate and visiting the Cailer / Nestle factory. No doubt, children will like this tasty adventure most of all.

Unlike other scenic trains, this one is available only from May to September and only twice a week. So do not forget to check the schedule when planning this trip.

Bernina Express

Crossing the Alps from north to south. From Switzerland to Italy and back. Age-old glaciers and century-old palm trees in one. Sounds tempting? Then this unique scenic train will be the right choice. It is ideal for those who settle for vacations in Klosters or even closer to Chur, the starting point of the Bernina Express. The route partially coincides with that of the Glacier Express. And this is a similar part where the most famous and fascinating Swiss viaduct, the Landwasserviadukt, is located. The picture of great arches that make up a curved railroad bridge and gleaming red carriages as if floating between the mountain slopes is traditionally used in the advertising booklets of both Glacier Express and Bernina Express.

Be sure that you will really experience indescribable feelings being above the steep in this very carriage and watching the opposite part of the train disappearing into the dark tunnel. It’s amazing how harmoniously the Landwasser viaduct weds with the landscape! Believe us, you will have what to admire during the remaining 4.5 hours of the trip. Moreover, the high panoramic windows, which smoothly creep up onto the ceiling, allow you to enjoy the scenery without gluing yourself to the glass but making yourself comfortable in the seat. Having reached the Bernina Pass, the highest point of the route, the beauty of the mountain peaks, lakes and waterfalls will be in the center of attention. At any time of the year, they arrest the sight and make you be at a loss for words from admiration. But the road leads to the south, and the picture behind the window is changing right in front of your eyes. You see a completely different Switzerland, with a milder climate and less severe landscapes. If you want to dive into this picture, even more, get the headphones and listen to the comments in the language of your choice throughout the whole journey.

Here’s the icing on the cake for those who have chosen this scenic express route as a gift to themselves or loved ones for their birthday, wedding, or anniversary or for those who simply decided to arrange a holiday on the train for no reason. Why not? You may choose a holiday package when booking tickets and have fresh local delicacies and champagne served at your seat or get a gift set with traditional Swiss cheese, a pocket knife, and a cutting board with the Bernina Express logo. Will be served to your place.

After 4.5 hours spent in a cozy warm carriage, you will find yourself in Italian Tirano. The Bernina Express organized a transfer to Lugano for those who plan to return to Switzerland (which is a separate booking). But not in winter season! The company provides no transfer from about mid-November to mid-February! As you can see, everything on this beautiful panoramic route is very well organized for tourists, but there are nuances that you should think over in advance.

Voralpen Express

This is the affordable and relatively short-time scenic train from Lucerne to Romanshorn and back, which requires no advance booking. The train departs every hour to show you the most beautiful places in central and eastern Switzerland for an almost three hours journey (if you decide to reach the end of the route). Or you can choose only a part of it: e.g. from Lucerne to St. Gallen. You will surely fall in love with these places when seeing the best views of Lake Lucerne (Firwaldstadt Lake, in fact), Pilatus mountain is known for its changing weather, Mythen peaks, the unique silhouettes of the Rapperswil Castle, and the smooth surface of Zurich and Bodensee Lakes.

The charm of St. Gallen’s rich history will get not only into the carriage, but into your heart as well. You may want to get off in this ancient city to see the abbey and its library appreciated and registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Allow yourself to dive into the scarlet surreal aura of the “urban living room”, the square near the Raiffeisen Bank. Architecture lovers will remember the walks along Gallusplatz, Spisergasse, and Kugelggass streets, where many facades are decorated with exquisite bay window balconies. Those interested in the history of fashion and like hand-made textiles may visit the luxurious expositions of lace and fabrics at Textilmuseum.

When buying a Voralpan Express ticket, keep in mind that there are panoramic windows only in first-class carriages.

Gotthard Panorama Express (Earlier — Wilhelm Tell Express)

The popular Wilhelm Tell Express, recently renamed into Gotthard Express, has been created for those who are ready to combine a lake cruise and Swiss landscapes behind the train window. You start in Lucerne and enjoy food and drinks at the restaurant of a pleasure boat for 3.5 hours admiring the landscapes passing by. Or spend all this time on the deck hiding from the sun under a canopy or wrapping in a cozy blanket. Flüelen surrounded by mountains will meet you across the lake. It’s the right time to get on a modern carriage and continue the journey through the valleys, deep ravines and steep cliffs, heading towards Lugano.

You may see the legendary St. Gotthard Pass associated with Suvorov’s name, rapid mountain rivers, high arched bridges, and long curved tunnels from the best angles and at low speed. Welcome to southern Switzerland with its romantic Locarno on the shores and Lugano with its olives aroma! Definitely, this route is for those who want to see not only harsh and snowy but soft and affectionate Switzerland, even in winter.

Gotthard Express is available all year round, but once or twice a day depending on the season. It is better to book the tickets in advance.

Traveling to Switzerland by train is a very comfortable and fascinating option. Any of the panoramic routes you choose from our list will prove it.