Travelling to Switzerland for the first time? Switzerland’s rail network is one of the best in the world, promising an adventure to the majestic Alps and charming villages, through scenic countryside, dramatic valleys and around beautiful lakes.
Regardless of the travel season, there are many choices of trains, routes, and packages to explore this land of mountains, chocolates and fine watches. Here’s our list of 10 epic rail journeys not to be missed in the playground of Europe!
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Key takeaways:
- Visitors to Switzerland can consider popular scenic train rides or go off the beaten path to enjoy hidden gems during special seasons
- Switzerland has an extensive train network between cities, towns and mountains, and to neighbouring countries
- Swiss travel pass and Eurail pass can be used for more of the train journeys, bus, or ferries in the region
Popular scenic train rides in Switzerland
1. Golden Pass
Connecting central Switzerland with Lake Geneva, the Golden Pass is a scenic train journey that passes through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, such as the Brünig Pass, the lakes of the Bernese Oberland, the Simmen valley, Gstaad and Lake Geneva.
This popular train route consists of three sections with different train types, taking approximately 5.5 hours for the entire journey. Promising a variety of views and experiences along the way, the Golden Pass route is ideal for travellers who are short on time.
2. Glacier Express
Ready to take it really slow while your eyes and mouth get a satisfying feast? Known as ‘the slowest express train in the world’, the Glacier Express is a panoramic train that covers a distance of 291km over 8 hours. Passing through narrow valleys, tunnels and tight curves, the breathtaking route connects the railway stations of the two major mountain resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz via Andermatt in the Central Alps.
During your scenic train journey, don’t miss the breathtaking views of the Matterhorn, the Solis and Landwasser viaducts and spiral tunnels, and the Rhine Gorge, known as the “Grand Canyon of Switzerland”. For food-loving Singaporeans, you will love the Glacier Express’s gastronomy service, and the bar and concierge if you booked the Excellence Class.
3. Bernina Express
Travelling from Switzerland’s oldest town, Chur, through wildly romantic gorges, up majestic glaciers to swaying palm trees in Tirano, Italy, the Bernina Express’s panoramic cars offer first-class comfort with a gastronomy service, and even an open-air car in summer!
If that’s not enough to convince you, know that the Bernina Express is possibly the scenic train that is worthy of bragging rights for…
- It passes through the Bernina Pass, which is the highest railway pass in Europe at 2,253m above sea level!
- It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Rhaetian Railway in the Albula Bernina Landscapes!
- You get to enjoy two countries – Switzerland and Italy – on just a train journey!
4. Voralpen Express
For those who like variety in their travel or would like to explore a different side (and sight) of Switzerland beyond the mountains and valleys, you can consider hopping on the Voralpen Express. This scenic train ride connects Lucerne and St. Gallen, which passes the gentle countryside of Central and Eastern Switzerland.
Imagine gentle green slopes, glittering lakes and charming villages… the highlights of this route are the Sitter viaduct – the highest railway bridge in Switzerland at 99m – and the rolling landscape of “Toggenburg”! Operating hourly, the Voralpen Express covers 125 km per trip which takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. If you are feeling peckish, there’s even a bistro coach with catering services.
5. Gotthard Panorama Express
Ideal for history buffs and culture lovers, the Gotthard Panorama Express offers more than just a panoramic train ride between Central Switzerland and the Mediterranean South for a duration of approx. 5.5 hours. It even includes a steamboat trip on Lake Lucerne with warm meals!
As you pass through the Gotthard tunnel built in 1882, you will be mesmerised by majestic views of the Alps, the Reuss Valley and the Leventina Valley. The bonus? This scenic train provides information about the history, myths and legends of the Gotthard region enroute to Lugano or Bellinzona in Ticino, so you can bring home more than just IG-worthy photographs.
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Scenic train rides to enjoy hidden gems
6. The Chocolate Train (Train Du Chocolat)
Travelling with children or chocolate or cheese lovers? The Chocolate Train is a seasonal themed train that connects Montreux and Broc over a 7.5 hour ride where you can spend the day feasting and learning about the local specialties of Switzerland, namely chocolates and cheese.
Only available on select days between May to October, the day trip with the Chocolate Train offers a first-class experience that includes visits to the cheese factory La Maison du Gruyère, the town of Gruyères and the chocolate factory Maison Cailler. Don’t miss the scenic landscapes of the Bernese Highlands and the Lake Geneva region as you enjoy chocolate croissants and coffee onboard the luxury train.
7. Rhine Gorge Adventure Train (Erlebniszug Rheinschlucht)
If you think that Switzerland is only for romantic couples, retirees or families with children, the Rhine Gorge Adventure Train (Erlebniszug Rheinschlucht) may just prove you wrong. This panoramic train with open-air carriages runs through the Rhine Gorge (Rheinschlucht), aka the Swiss Grand Canyon, catering to nature lovers and adventurers. Think amazing views of cliffs, forests and rivers carved by the Rhine over 10,000 years ago. Can you imagine the fresh breeze as you transverse through this spectacular nature?
This adventure train that travels between Landquart to Ilanz operates only on weekends from April to October. Taking approx. 1 hour and 10 minutes, the train ride is best coupled with the Rheinschlucht/Ruinaulta bus if you plan to go hiking in and around the Rhine Gorge.
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8. Centovalli Railway
Connecting Locarno in southern Switzerland and Domodossola in northern Italy, the Centovalli Railway promises a scenic train journey with panoramic views of the Alps, rocky gorges, quaint stone villages and waterfalls, away from the crowd. It crosses 100 valleys (as its namesake ‘Centovalli’ implies in Italian) and makes a very nice day trip or way to travel from southwest to southeast Switzerland.
Some of the attractions along the route include the Verzasca Dam, the Santa Maria Maggiore Museum, the Sacro Monte Calvario and the Simplon Pass. Travelling on the Centovalli Railway seems like there’s plenty to explore but for those who intend to take a straight-through journey, the entire duration is about 2 hours only.
9. BLS RegioExpress Lötschberg
Here’s one for railway enthusiasts! The BLS RegioExpress Lötschberg Express follows the historic Lötschberg mountain line built in 1913 – hailed as one of the most important and daring structures in Swiss railway history! This scenic train runs between Bern and Domodossola and connects with several other classic scenic routes such as the GoldenPass Line or Glacier Express.
Operating all year round, the BLS RegioExpress Lötschberg takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes through the Swiss heartland. Don’t miss some of the attractions along the route such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bern’s old town, Niesen mountain and Stockalper Palace.
10. Furka Steam Railway
For travellers who enjoy cultural heritage beyond popular tourist routes, you’d love the Furka Steam Railway, which links Realp and Oberwald on a stretch of almost 18 km in approx. 2 hours. This line runs through an untouched part of the Swiss Alps, largely due to inaccessibility if not for the rail built in 1925, and winds through wild gorges and steep mountain slopes of more than 2000 m above sea level.
Here’s a fun fact that would make you appreciate a ride on this historic mountain line: some of the steam locomotives and carriages are actually over 100 years old on a metre-gauge rack-and-pinion line! They have been painstakingly restored and made roadworthy by volunteers.
Swiss Travel Pass or Eurail Pass?
Train journeys might not be as swift as flight journeys, but they undeniably have a sense of romanticism associated with them. When travelling in Switzerland, don’t miss the scenic train rides. You may want to consider getting the Swiss travel pass or Eurail pass for greater affordability and convenience, as they cover most of the train routes we mentioned earlier.
| Scenic train rides | Swiss Travel Pass | Eurail Pass | Note |
| GoldenPass Line | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Glacier Express | ✔ | ✔ | Extra charges apply for seat reservations and dining car reservations |
| Bernina Express | ✔ | Additional fees apply for seats in panorama cars | |
| Voralpen Express | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Gotthard Panorama Express | ✔ | ✔ | Surcharge (reservation fee and class difference) applies |
| Chocolate Train | ✔ | ✔ | Seat reservations and excursion fees apply |
| Rhine Gorge Adventure Train | ✔ | ✔ | Surcharge (reservation fee and class difference) applies |
| Centovalli Railway | Additional fees apply for panoramic Vigezzo Vision trains | ✔ | |
| BLS RegioExpress Lötschberg | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Furka Steam Railway | ✕ | ✕ |
With options for different duration (e.g. 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days), the Swiss Travel Pass is an all-in-one ticket that allows foreign visitors to travel by train, bus and boat in Switzerland easily and affordably. It also offers free admission to more than 500 museums and discounts on many mountain excursions.
On the other hand, the Eurail Pass is a rail pass that allows travel by train in 33 European countries. It is available for different durations and travel days, and there is a special offer for young people under 28 years old.
When choosing between the two travel passes, consider your overall itinerary before making a choice. If you plan to travel only within Switzerland, the Swiss Travel Pass is valid for free travel on more independent mountain lines than Eurail or InterRail passes.
Before going on your scenic train ride…
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Information is accurate as at 26 June 2023. This policy is underwritten by Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. (Company Reg. No. 201331905K). Protected up to specified limits by SDIC.
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