For a small country, Switzerland is chock-full of jaw-dropping sights. Experience vividly hued lakes framed by ancient villages and mountain peaks shrouded in clouds. Between the mountains, plunging valleys hold picturesque waterways and sprawling fields, home to Switzerland's famous cattle and beautiful swathes of wildflowers. Each season adds a new layer of beauty, whether you visit in the height of the spring, when colorful blooms adorn the scenery, or in winter when a crisp blanket of white is an idyllic accompaniment to the landscape.
Because Switzerland has so many sights that must be seen to be believed, the nation's railways are a beloved way to get from Point A to Point B. Sit back and relax with a front-row seat to the beauty as awe-inspiring routes lead to equally awe-inspiring destinations. Discover Switzerland from these iconic railways.
The GoldenPass Express
Beginning with the newest addition to the Swiss railway portfolio, the GoldenPass Express offers a scenic link between Montreux and Interlaken. This journey has been more than 100 years in the making, with the idea dating to the turn of the 20th century and finally coming to fruition in 2022, immediately leaving an impression on passengers.
As seen on our GoldenPass, Mont Blanc & Jungfrau Express tour, this train features three service classes - 2nd, 1st and Prestige - and panoramic views from every carriage regardless of your seat. Begin with views of Lake Geneva in Montreux and travel inland while surrounded by remarkable scenes of western Switzerland. As the journey begins, soak up views of Vernex Lake and cross the 387-foot-long Flendruz Bridge. Glimpses of the Church of Saanen and Spiez Castle are complemented by innumerable mountain peaks, including Switzerland's Three Peaks, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, before the GoldenPass Express arrives in Interlaken between Lakes Thun and Brienz.
The Bernina Express
Dubbed the "rail experts' best-kept secret," the Bernina Express is a treasure among Switzerland's rail experiences. This line follows the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhaetian Railway and is a marvel of engineering that features 196 bridges and a whopping 55 tunnels - many of which were manually carved more than 100 years ago.
Featured on our Best of Switzerland by Rail vacation, the Bernina Express travels from Switzerland's oldest village, Chur, to the palm tree-lined squares of Tirano, Italy. The train follows the highest railway tracks in Europe and the steepest in the world to reveal truly amazing views of snow-capped peaks, tucked-away alpine villages, and sprawling sheets of eternal ice, including Morteratsch and Palü Glaciers. Enjoy scenic highlights like the Montebello Curve overlooking the Bernina Massif and the Brusio Circular Viaduct, in addition to the world-famous Landwasser Viaduct. This route is a masterclass in engineering and scenery, giving you an unmatched perspective of it all from panoramic carriages.
The Glacier Express
When thinking of iconic trains in Switzerland, one name stands above the rest: the "world's slowest express train," the Glacier Express. Venture through some of the world's most awe-inspiring scenery at an average speed of just 24 miles per hour while traveling between Zürich and St. Moritz on this scenic train, a highlight of our Grand Train Tour of Switzerland - An Escorted Experience.
As you step aboard the red carriages and take your seat near a large picture window, you can look forward to a journey of extreme beauty and pure Swiss essence, whether seated in 2nd Class, 1st Class or Excellence Class. Leaving Zermatt, the Glacier Express passes Bis Glacier and Kipfen Gorge, surrounded by incredible mountain views. The route continues with scenes of quintessential Swiss villages, Stockalper Palace and the high valley of Goms before descending through the 9 1/2-mile Furka Base Tunnel. The train then climbs the Oberalp Pass, the highest point on the route, and plunges into the breathtaking Rhine Gorge. After Chur, cross a series of viaducts, including the famous Landwasser, and traverse the Upper Engadin Valley to the final station, St. Moritz - eight hours of wonders, perfected by rail.
The Jungfrau Railway
For a different type of railway experience in Switzerland, look no further than the Jungfrau Railway. This line climbs to the "Top of Europe," Jungfraujoch. Step aboard on our Jungfrau Express Five-Star All-Inclusive tour, and experience one of the country's most unique journeys.
The 100-year-old Jungfrau Railway begins its 5 1/2-mile route in Kleine Scheidegg in the Bernese Oberland, but it is not all dramatic views and far-spanning scenes during the climb; this railway is a testament to Switzerland's engineering prowess as it climbs through the faces of Eiger and Mönch Mountains. The first minutes of the ride are surrounded by views of mountain peaks and sprawling valleys, and then the rack and pinion railway plunges into a mountain tunnel and enters a world of eternal rock, ice and snow. Halfway through the 35-minute route, the Jungfrau Railway pauses at Eismeer Station, where you can step off the train and look out over the mountain landscape from a viewing window. After climbing to 11,332 feet above sea level, the journey concludes at the highest station in Europe, where unbelievable views of the Aletsch Glacier and distant mountains abound.
To see Europe from every angle, you could combine your Swiss rail journey with a European river cruise, a journey that combines two classic forms of transportation and breathtaking views. On our Glacier Express & The Majestic Rhine Cruise vacation, you will ride the Glacier Express from Chur to Zermatt and admire the mighty Matterhorn from the Gornergrat Mountain Railroad before joining a luxury river cruise ship in Basel. From here, the voyage proceeds along the Rhine, taking you through the remarkable Rhine Gorge and to captivating destinations, such as Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Speyer and Cologne.
Whichever train and route you choose, there is nothing like experiencing Switzerland by rail. Peruse our catalog of Swiss tours to find your ideal rail vacation, or contact a Rail Specialist for an expert touch on your next adventure.
