Scenic Trains of Switzerland

A journey aboard one of Switzerland’s panoramic trains is the cherry on top of any trip, no matter the season. By choosing the route that suits your schedule and point of departure, you unlock the chance to see the country from an entirely new perspective—its landscapes unfolding in their most captivating form.

Bernina Express

Crossing the Alps from north to south, from Switzerland into Italy and back, means encountering age-old glaciers and century-old palm trees within the same journey. Tempting? Then the Bernina Express is the train to choose.

Ideal for those spending their holidays in Klosters or nearby Chur, the starting point of the route, this scenic line partially coincides with that of the Glacier Express. Along this shared section lies one of Switzerland’s most celebrated landmarks — the Landwasser Viaduct. Its soaring arches and curved span, carrying bright red carriages across a sheer mountain gorge, have become an icon, pictured in countless brochures.

The real experience, however, surpasses every image. From your seat, you watch as the train seems to float above the valley, then disappear into a tunnel carved into the cliffs. The viaduct blends so seamlessly into the landscape that it feels like a natural extension of the mountains themselves.

And that is only the beginning. The following four and a half hours unfold as a moving panorama of peaks, lakes, and waterfalls, viewed through panoramic windows that extend up to the ceiling. At the Bernina Pass, the highest point of the journey, nature commands your full attention: crisp summits, alpine lakes, and cascades that take your breath away.

Yet, as the train continues south, the scenery transforms. Glacial valleys give way to gentler hillsides, the light softens, the air grows milder. Another Switzerland appears, one that hints at Italy’s embrace. To deepen the experience, headphones offer commentary in multiple languages, accompanying the spectacle with context and story. 

Here’s the icing on the cake for those who choose this scenic express as a gift to themselves or loved ones — for a birthday, wedding, anniversary, or simply for the joy of celebrating on board. Why not? When booking tickets, you may select a holiday package: fresh local delicacies and champagne served at your seat, or a gift set with traditional Swiss cheese, a pocket knife, and a wooden board engraved with the Bernina Express logo — all delivered right to your place. After four and a half hours in a warm, comfortable carriage, the journey brings you to Tirano in Italy. For travelers returning to Switzerland, the Bernina Express arranges a connecting bus to Lugano (booked separately). Do keep in mind, however, that this service is seasonal and does not operate year-round — winter timetables are more limited. Everything along this panoramic route is thoughtfully designed for travelers, though it is worth checking the details in advance.

Glacier Express

The scenic Glacier Express is the perfect choice if your holidays bring you to Zermatt and you have a day to spare for landscapes beyond the reach of car or foot. It offers a front-row seat to Switzerland’s dramatic beauty: hundreds of bridges and striking viaducts soaring over untamed gorges, tunnels that suddenly open to sweeping vistas, and vast windows framing the dazzling, snow-covered Alps. Pack your sunglasses—the light here is unforgettable. Along the way, ancient mountain forests, tranquil alpine meadows, and serene valleys unfold before you. Seven hours of uninterrupted wonder, leaving you with the sense that what you’re experiencing is almost beyond belief.

The Glacier Express makes several convenient stops in towns and villages along the way, allowing you to return by a regular scheduled train or adjust your day’s route with ease. You can plan your time as you wish and purchase a ticket for just a section of the journey.

For instance, spend only a couple of hours aboard before arriving in Brig, where one of Switzerland’s largest outdoor thermal complexes, the Brig Baths, invites you to unwind for the rest of the day. Or, closer to midday, step off in Andermatt, a charming village on the slope of the legendary St. Gotthard Pass. Here you can visit the famed Devil’s Bridge, beside which Suvorov’s troops once fought their historic battle.

[p]If you choose to spend the entire day aboard the Glacier Express, expect to arrive in St. Moritz around 18:00. From there, a same-day return to Zermatt is possible only by scheduled trains with transfers, taking about six to seven hours. Another option is to return the following day on the Glacier Express itself, tracing the same panoramic route in reverse. This return journey is especially convenient for those staying in Klosters, as it brings you to Zermatt by evening after a day rich in impressions.

Matterhorn Railway (Gornergratbahn)

Rising above Zermatt, the Gornergratbahn is a cogwheel wonder that climbs from about 1,600 m to 3,089 m, delivering one of the most breathtaking panoramas in the Alps. The journey is short — roughly 30 minutes one way — but every turn is unforgettable: forests give way to thinning treeline, wide alpine vistas open, and the Matterhorn looms closer with every metre. Trains run all year, though timing and frequency vary by season: in summer, there are departures every 24 minutes; in quieter months, the schedule slows.

At the summit station, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping 360-degree views of Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, their glaciers, and nearly 29 peaks over 4,000 meters — a moment to breathe deeply. Climb aboard this steep ascent for the feeling of altitude, awe, and beauty — and remember, seats are open (no fixed reservation), so you can simply choose your moment, find your view, and let the mountains do the rest.

GoldenPass Express

If you are staying in Verbier, the GoldenPass Line is the most comfortable way to discover more of Switzerland’s scenic beauty. Unlike the Glacier Express, which runs only once a day, this train operates almost every two hours—giving you the freedom to step off, explore a town or village, and later continue your journey in the very same panoramic car.

Simply reach Montreux, the starting point, and settle in for five hours of unforgettable views through the historic heart of Switzerland, should you wish to ride the full route. From neat vineyards cascading down the slopes to the glistening expanse of Lake Geneva and its cozy lakeside villages, the scenery gradually transforms into a landscape of traditional alpine houses, each standing alone against rolling hills. The train slows as it passes, offering travelers the perfect chance to capture these pastoral scenes.

Your first temptation to step off will likely be in the medieval town of Thun, set beside its namesake lake. Surrounded by the towering peaks of Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger, Thun’s castle crowns a rocky ledge, completing the panorama. Even from the windows of the GoldenPass, this tableau unfolds with timeless charm.

The next stop is Interlaken, the tourist capital of the Bernese Highlands. A year-round gateway, it opens the way to Jungfrau and Schilthorn, to the Lauterbrunnen Valley or Grindelwald. Or you may simply continue your discovery of Switzerland from the windows of the GoldenPass, as the route winds toward Lucerne—one of the country’s most beautiful cities. Along the way, the train threads through high mountains, glides past waterfalls, and crosses bridges suspended above rushing rivers. Lucerne is the final destination of the GoldenPass.

What comes next is yours to decide. Will you stay and wander through Lucerne’s historic centre? Take in the city from a boat tour? Travel just over half an hour to reach Zurich? Or return to Montreux to visit Chillon Castle and stroll its splendid lakeside promenade, sealing the day in memory?

Tickets for the GoldenPass are recommended but not essential, as departures run frequently throughout the day—leaving room for spontaneous choices. Excellent connections at every stop make it easy to continue your journey anywhere in Switzerland.

Voralpen Express

This is one of the more affordable scenic journeys (and also among the shortest) running from Lucerne to Romanshorn and back, with no advance booking required. The train departs every hour, offering almost three hours of travel through the most beautiful landscapes of central and eastern Switzerland, should you ride the full route. Of course, you may also choose to experience only part of it, for instance from Lucerne to St. Gallen.

Along the way, the scenery reveals some of Switzerland’s most cherished sights: the shimmering waters of Lake Lucerne (properly Lake Firwaldstättersee), the ever-changing face of Mount Pilatus, the twin peaks of Mythen, the unmistakable silhouette of Rapperswil Castle, and the serene expanses of both Lake Zurich and Lake Constance.

The charm of St. Gallen’s rich history reaches you even before you step off the train — but once you do, it is easy to be captivated. The abbey and its library, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are masterpieces of European culture. The city’s central square, nicknamed the “urban living room,” glows with a surreal scarlet aura, while architecture lovers will delight in strolling through Gallusplatz, Spisergasse, and Kugelggasse, where façades are adorned with ornate bay window balconies. For those with a passion for textiles and fashion, the Textilmuseum presents luxurious exhibitions of lace and fabrics that celebrate St. Gallen’s unique heritage.

A note for travelers: when purchasing a Voralpen Express ticket, remember that panoramic windows are available only in first-class carriages.

Gotthard Panorama Express (Earlier — Wilhelm Tell Express)

The popular Wilhelm Tell Express, recently renamed the Gotthard Panorama Express, was created for travelers who wish to combine a lake cruise with the beauty of Switzerland seen from a train window. The journey begins in Lucerne, where you spend three and a half hours aboard a pleasure boat, enjoying food and drinks in the restaurant or watching the passing landscapes from the deck — sheltered under a canopy or wrapped in a cozy blanket. Across the lake, the mountain-framed town of Flüelen awaits. Here you transfer to a modern train carriage and continue through valleys, deep ravines, and steep cliffs on the way to Lugano.

Along the route, the scenery unfolds at a leisurely pace: the legendary St. Gotthard Pass associated with Suvorov, rushing mountain rivers, lofty arched bridges, and sweeping tunnels. Gradually, southern Switzerland appears, with romantic Locarno on the lakeshore and Lugano, where the air carries the aroma of olives. This is a route for those who want to discover not only Switzerland’s rugged and snowy side, but also its softer, more affectionate character — even in winter. The Gotthard Panorama Express operates all year round, though only once or twice a day depending on the season. Advance booking is strongly recommended.